The Sebastian Paddle Fest, to raise money to fight cancer, was last Saturday in Sebastian, Florida.

The race started near Riverview Park in Sebastian as paddlers competed in the Pareidolican 5K and 10K course with their kayaks and surf skis.

It was the third year that this event raised money for the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation. The nonprofit organization was created in 2001 with the mission to promote cancer awareness.

“Really impressed with the commitment of the paddlers who participated despite very challenging weather conditions. Kudos to them for helping fight cancer,” Pete Anderson of Pareidolia Brewing Company, one of the sponsors for the event, told Sebastian Daily.

The contestants launched near Riverview Park near the starting line of the race along the Indian River Lagoon. Following the race, paddlers and the event organizations met for an Awards Ceremony at Pareidolia Brewing Company.

The race was split into different categories, but the overall winner was Reid Hyle.

“The competition is fun, but the spirit is in raising money for a great cause. It was wonderful to see people who personally knew Dean Randazzo and who were connected to the south Jersey beaches come out and support the event,” Lisa Hertz Malick, one of the event organizers, told Sebastain Daily.

“Unfortunately, cancer is something that impacts nearly everyone. So many people in the paddling community are willing to support our fundraising efforts and our willingness to take on a grueling 22.5-mile course, a course that is designed to be difficult and symbolic of a cancer patient’s journey,” Malick added.

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