July 28, 2008
SEA PADDLE NYC ATTRACTING TOP SURFERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Keith Malloy to join legendary waterman Darrick Doerner, Pipeline Master Gerry Lopez, Style Master Joel Tudor and friends to raise money for autism awareness in 28-mile paddle around Manhattan.
New York, NY — Due to its incredible success at the inaugural event last year, SEA Paddle NYC will be held again this August. The weekend of events kicks off with The White Water Gala on Saturday, August 16th, followed by the 28-mile paddle around Manhattan on Monday, August 18th.
Gerry Lopez, Darrick Doerner, and Joel Tudor are just some of the surf legends already confirmed to participate with Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA) in this year’s paddle. Like last year, the event will be showcasing some of the top paddlers from around the world as well as celebrity personalities. Surfer Keith Malloy, actor David Chokachi, X-treme athlete Darian Boyle, ‘Surfwise’ star Jonathan Paskowitz, and surfer Matt Archbold are just a few of the recent additions to the growing list of personalities stepping up for this charity event.
Keith Malloy, a well-known wave maestro from Ventura, California, is one of three brothers who are all ambassadors for the environmentally-conscious outfitter Patagonia. Keith has surfed all over the world and has participated in several paddle events throughout his career.
David Chokachi, best known for his role as Cody Madison on "Baywatch", will be flying in from Hawaii to paddle. He is currently starring in "Beyond The Break", an MTV Networks series on The N. When not filming, David spends much of his time surfing and bringing awareness to important water-related issues on behalf of the charities he supports.
X-treme athlete and TV personality Darian Boyle will also be paddling in the event. Ms. Boyle is a former World Champion in Skiercross, Silver Medalist at the X-games in 1999 and Winner of the Best Female Freeskier at the World Extreme Sports Awards in 2000. As last year’s only female participant, she is encouraging more women to join in the fun and register for this year’s paddle.
Surfer and New Yorker Jonathan Paskowitz, star in the candid documentary ‘Surfwise’, will be going the distance for autism again this year. Jonathan liquidated virtually everything he had to be able to finance the film about growing up one of nine children born to Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, a onetime physician who in the 1950s quit his practice and raised a family while living a nomadic lifestyle in search of waves. SEA is honored to have Jonathan in the event.
The paddle starts on Monday, August 18th at 9 a.m. at the South Street Sea Port’s Pier 1. Participants will follow a course up the East River, through the Harlem River and down the Hudson River, finishing the grueling 28-mile course at the North Cove Marina at the World Financial Center. The majority of the paddlers will be doing stand-up paddle boarding, one of the fastest growing sports around. There will also be traditional paddleboarders and kayakers. Other participants are rumored to be joining the 75 other local, national and international field of surfers who intend to raise big bucks for SEA and Autism. If you think you qualify, go to seapaddlenyc.org to get your application.
The White Water Gala is a white-themed fundraiser held on an oceanfront estate in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, with all proceeds going to autism charities and SEA. This year’s event on Saturday evening, August 16th, features live music, autograph signing with celebrities including Matt Archbold and RVCA Surf Team, open bar, catering by award-winning chef David Burke’s Fromagerie, and a magical atmosphere. The live music will feature Random Test, one of the best Reggae bands around, followed by the Japanese Motors, making for an incredible lineup. There will be a silent auction with donations from local businesses, celebrities, and residents, including rocker Jon Bon Jovi. The auction will also feature four (Yes, four!) Dick Brewer surfboards, hand shaped by the master himself especially for SEA. These highly collectible boards have been known to fetch tens of thousands of dollars in previous auctions. In addition, Mr. Brewer will be attending the event to personalize and oversee the auctioning of these prized boards.
Last August, history was made on the waterways of New York City. SEA organized a group of top surfers, paddlers, and athletes, including several professionals and surfing legends, to circumnavigate Manhattan in the name of autism awareness and coastal preservation. The inaugural event, called ‘SEA Paddle NYC’, drew international attention and, in conjunction with the White Water Gala, raised over $90,000 for three autism groups: Autism Speaks, NJCOSAC and Surfers Healing & SEA.
When asked about the experience, Paul Davis, SEA member and participant said, “We had an amazing time at last year’s event. It’s a unique opportunity for the paddlers to see Manhattan from the water and an even better opportunity for all the spectators to see the star paddlers and the many sponsors who stepped up for autism awareness.”
Linda Meyer Ed.D, MPA, Executive Director at the Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC) said, “Your paddle around NYC was remarkable on every level. Your hearts, your generosity, your talents, your energy are very much appreciated.”
For information regarding registration, sponsorship, donations, tickets or other participation in SEA Paddle NYC, visit seapaddlenyc.org Media & sponsors can contact Andrew Mencinsky at 732-804-4096, Darrick Doerner at 888-HALEIWA.
About SEA
Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. SEA is a grassroots, project-based environmental organization aggressively committed to the cultural and environmental integrity of the sport of surfing. We are as much devoted to protecting the natural wonders of the coastal environment as we are to fostering and protecting public beach access. We work constantly with federal, state and local officials to ensure that coastal real estate and infrastructure development do not destroy our heritage, or that of our children. For more information on SEA, visit seasurfer.org.
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