This Friday early risers will be able to catch an intense athletic event as athletes from all over the world compete through the Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA) 5th Annual SEA Paddle NYC race to raise money for Autism and the surfers environment.

Taking place this Friday at 7AM, competitors will begin their 26.5 mile paddle along the Hudson River, making their way down the East River and finishing at the Brooklyn Bridge Beach. SEA would like to raise $400,000 for Autism awareness, and has already reached $180,000 with the help of the competitors and their sponsors. The remainder of the money will be raised during the post party event and auction.

A few months ago the United States Military Endowment (USME) decided to take their efforts in a new direction and is now sponsoring extreme endurance athletes to compete in events like SEA Paddle, to raise money and awareness for USME and the work they do helping transition US troops back to civilian life.

One of USME’s sponsored athletes and Hoboken resident, Ricky LaForge, is competing in his first SEA Paddle race this Friday. Ricky first heard about the paddle race three years ago and never considered it as something he might compete in one day. Ricky began paddle boarding a few years ago when a college wrestling injury disabled him from competing in extreme running races. He found paddling was “the perfect alternative”, but it wasn’t until USME began their new approach that participating in the SEA Paddle became a reality.

Living in Hoboken and working in New York City puts some restraints on training, but Ricky has found time to work on core strengthening and building his muscle stamina during the week, while his weekends down the shore have been dedicated to paddling anywhere from 8 miles to 28 miles, for up to seven hours a day. Ricky is looking forward to all his training paying off this Friday, believing the race will be “a great test of endurance and mental toughness.”

Ricky has already reached his goal of raising $3,000 for SEA and USME, and is still taking donations to help both causes. “We have been using all types of media outlets to help move this forward and with the support of family and friends we have exceeded our mark.” Ricky is one of many passionate athletes participating in the SEA Paddle NYC race this Friday. To donate or learn more about SEA Paddle visit seapaddlenyc.org. For more information about USME visit usmilitaryendowment.org.

Photos by Anthony Bianciella.