The 6^th Annual Surfers’ Environmental Alliance SEAPaddle NYC presented by O’Neill announces three Stand Up Paddle courses for August 17, 2012 Event

July 11, 2012, New York, NY - The 6th Annual Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA) SEAPaddle NYC presented by O’Neill is officially slated for August 17, 2012.  This year’s event has three (3) unique courses to participate in: the traditional SeaPaddle, a 26.5 miles non-competitive adventure paddle around the island of Manhattan; the Elite Paddle, a 26.5 mile competitive race around the island of Manhattan; and The Short Paddle, a non-competitive 4 mile paddle along the west side of Manhattan.

Friends, Family and supporters not participating in the paddles will gather at the Dos Equis Beach Party at South Street Seaport’s - Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club throughout race day.

The paddles will be followed by the annual White Water Evening for Autism kicking off at 6pm at the South Street Seaport’s third floor viewing decks and features an Award ceremony, silent auction, live music, and catering by Harbour Lights Restaurant. Tickets are available to this evening event at $110 per person, $200 per couple, or $1,500 per table of eight and can be purchased here.

“The SEAPaddle NYC is proud to report that 100% of paddler donations are directed to our beneficiaries: Surfers Environmental Alliance, Best Day Foundation, Autism Family Service of NJ, Autism of NJ, Hawaiian Austism Foundation, Parents of Autistic Children, Surfer’s Healing, and Virginia Autism Project,” says Andrew Mecinsky, SEAPaddleNYC Founder and West Coast Director of SEA.  “Year after year we have welcomed an evergrowing circle of everyday athletes, celebrities, and elite paddlers such as the 2011 SEAPaddle NYC champion, Team O’Neill’s Rob Rojas and Joel Tudor to raise money and awareness by paddling for our causes.”

Last year’s SEA Paddle NYC raised over $350,000 for its charity beneficiaries and boasted more than 150 paddlers. The August-17 event hopes to surpass SEA’s 2011 efforts, which would make this year the most successful fundraiser to date for the non-profit organization.

For more information about Surfers’ Environmental Alliance and the SEAPaddle NYC presented by O’Neill, or to register for the event, please visit www.SeaPaddleNYC.org.

The race day schedule is as follows:

SEA PADDLE:

Start Time: 7:30am

Location: Event starts at Pier 40, located on the west side of NYC at Houston & West Street.

Entry Fee: $295.00   + Participants must also reach a fundraising minimum goal of $1,000

ELITE PADDLE:

Start Time 8:00 am
Location: Event starts at Pier 40, located on the west side of NYC at Houston & West Street.
Entry Fee: $375.00   + Participants must also reach a fundraising minimum goal of $1,000 or Sponsor product donation valued at $2,000 or higher.

SHORT PADDLE:

Start Time: 8:30 am

Location: Event starts at Pier 40, located on the west side of NYC at Houston & West Street.

Entry Fee: $185.00   + Participants must also reach a fundraising minimum goal of $500

About Surfer’’s Environmental Alliance (SEA)

The 6th Annual SEAPaddle NYC Event and White Water Evening is an opportunity to bring awareness and funding for SEA’s environmental projects and ancillary Autism charities. Surfers’ Environmental Alliance is committed to the preservation and protection of the environmental and cultural elements that are inherent to the sport of surfing. SEA’s goals are achieved through grassroots activism, community involvement, education and humanitarian efforts. The non-profit organization successfully engages in

projects that strive to conserve the quality of marine environments; preserve or enhance surf breaks; protect beach-access rights; and safeguard the coastal surf zone from unnecessary development. To learn more, please visit www.seapaddlenyc.org.

About O’Neill

O’Neill, the original California surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O’Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world’s first neoprene wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after.

While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack’s initial vision of producing functional and innovative boardriding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O’Neill’s core values – innovation in style and technology – have seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of the action sports lifestyle.  From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and surf leash, to the world’s first stitchless boardshorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O’Neill’s progressive spirit will always drive the company forward.  For more information, please visit www.oneill.com.

SEAPaddle NYC is proudly supported by: Dos Equis, Circle Line Sightseeing, Sambazon, Reboot, Outside Magazine, Century 21, Avion Tequila, NY Kayak Company, OSO water, Laser Cosmetica, Original Skates, Kings Paddle Sports, Down Under Surf Shop, C4 Waterman, Kialoa Paddle, Stand Up Paddle Magazine, Starboard, Mitica, Yolo Board, Spy Optics, Barbados Tourism Authority, Mount Gay Rum and The Surfers View

SEAPaddle NYC Proudly raises money for:

BEST DAY FOUNDATION:
Best Day Foundation enables kids with special needs to build confidence through safe, fun adventure activities which stretch their limits, expand their true potential, reinforce their achievement, and connect them with diverse populations in their community. some of these activities include surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, snow-tubing and more. best day is run by an experienced team and supported by generous sponsors who help keep the programs free for all. best day chapters make a big impact in their communities.

AUTISM FAMILY SERVICES of NJ (AFSNJ):

Afsnj is the host of the beach bash, which is free and open to New Jersey families living with an autistic child. What began as a small event with about 150 people has grown to over 2,000 attendees in 2009. The beach bash is an all day event that includes arts and crafts, a dj, interactive games, and lunch provided by whole foods market and a surf camp courtesy of surfers healing. At the 2009 event 200 children surfed, the most in surfers healing history.

AUTISM NJ:
Autism New Jersey is nonprofit agency providing information and advocacy, services, family and professional education and consultation. Autism NJ encourages responsible basic and applied research that may lessen the effects of, and potentially prevent autism. Autism NJ is dedicated to ensuring that all people with autism receive appropriate, effective services to maximize their growth potential and to enhance the general public’s overall awareness of autism.

HAWAII AUTISM FOUNDATION:
The Hawaii Autism foundation’s mission is to educate and help families find and fund treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The foundation was started by filmmakers Don & Julianne King who created the movie Beautiful Son, a personal story of their family’s journey to find help & healing for their son Beau. They established the Hawaii Autism Foundation with the help of a group of local parents who share a vision to help families access treatments for children with autism in hawaii. New board members, Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama recently helped raise money and awareness for the making of Beautiful Son by paddling and biking the length of the hawaiian islands.

PARENTS of AUTISTIC CHILDREN (POAC):

POAC, formed in 1999 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has a proven track record of providing services to children and adults with autism, their families, and the professionals who serve them.  Since its inception POAC has provided training, services, outreach and support for thousands of people throughout New Jersey and across the country.  The vast majority of these services are provided 100% free of charge.  In addition, POAC funded the first statewide program for the early detection of and intervention for children with autism.  POAC has partnered with universities and treatment centers to form programs that include researched-based procedures which have proven to be effective for those with autism.  While many organizations exist to find a cause and cure for this developmental disability, POAC has focused its attention and resources on how best to help the children and families who are struggling with autism today.  POAC strives to help individuals with autism achieve their highest potential in their homes, schools and communities.

SURFERS HEALING:
Surfers Healing seeks to enrich the lives of children with autism and the lives of their families by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing. Surfers Healing volunteers travel across the coastal United States and Hawaii allowing autistic children an opportunity to experience the healing affects of the water at no charge.

VIRGINIA AUTISM PROJECT:

We are a grass roots, state-wide coalition of families with children affected by an autism spectrum disorder. Our current priority of our mission statement is to create positive change for people on the autism spectrum through Autism Insurance Reform.

The Virginia Autism Project (VAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that focuses on educating, advising and collaborating with federal, state and local decision makers and the general public on issues that impact individuals with autism and their communities, while raising awareness throughout Virginia.