Mark Segal, a Paddle for the Sound participant, made a kayak crossing from Larchmont, New York, to Sands Point on Long Island.
More than 788 Miles Paddled and $11,600 Raised to Benefit Long Island Sound
Participants paddled more than 788 miles across shoreline and open water by kayak, stand up paddleboard, and canoe during the eleventh annual Paddle for the Sound. The virtual challenge and fundraiser, organized by Save the Sound, brought together athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and environmental advocates to raise funds and awareness for the protection of Long Island Sound and its surrounding lands and rivers.
The award for Most Funds Raised went to Daphne Yanaros of GE Aerospace’s Long Island Early Career Network Fundraiser Team, from Long Island, New York, who collected an impressive $1,685 from 54 supporters.
“Whether it’s paddleboarding, swimming, or scuba diving, the water has always felt like a second home,” said Daphne Yanaros. “When I moved to Long Island a little less than four years ago, I was looking for ways to connect with my new community and find the places and causes that felt meaningful to me. Paddle for the Sound brought together my love of being on the water with an opportunity to explore new waterways, connect with other paddlers, and discover more of the place I now call home, all while supporting an organization working to protect the waterways that make this region so special.”
Participants paddled individually from locations across the region, logging their miles and securing donations from friends, family, and colleagues. Together, more than $11,600 through event registration fees and personal and team fundraising will directly support Save the Sound’s work to fight climate change, preserve endangered lands, protect the Sound and its tributaries, and restore vital ecosystems in partnership with nature.
This year’s winners for Total Distance Paddled were:
1st Place: Jeff Croyle, Essex, Conn., with 118.37 miles
2nd Place: Mark Segal, Larchmont, N.Y., with 117.22 miles
3rd Place: Ruth Hayduk, Bronx, N.Y., with 100.62 miles
“I have been paddling for many decades — Lake Ontario, the Hudson River and, for the last decade, the southern end of the Connecticut River into the Sound,” said Jeff Croyle of Essex, Connecticut, and first-place winner for Total Distance Paddled. “Kayaking and environmental issues have been near to my heart this entire time, so I was thrilled to participate in my second Paddle for the Sound fundraising effort. Keep up the great work, Save the Sound!”
Paddle for the Sound celebrates the rivers, lakes, forests, and open waters that make this region extraordinary.
“Long Island Sound is one of my favorite places,” said Mark Segal of Larchmont, New York, and second-place winner for Total Distance Paddled. “I’ve spent countless hours kayaking, even in a few winters. Paddling the shoreline and across open stretches of water has connected me to nature, to friends and brought me so much joy and inner peace. These past 10 days took it to a next level. Seeing fellow kayakers, SUP paddlers, fisherman, boaters, sailors, swimmers, and hundreds of birds has gotten me thinking more deeply about the hundreds of thousands of people who enjoy the clean water of Long Island Sound. So appreciative of Save the Sound’s efforts!”
Participants also described how paddling offers a firsthand connection to the Sound’s wildlife and ecosystems.
“From my kayak, I have the privilege of observing seals and coastal birds in their natural habitat, and those encounters remind me how important it is to protect these fragile ecosystems,” said Ruth Hayduk of Bronx, New York, and third-place winner for Total Distance Paddled. “Supporting Save the Sound is my way of helping to keep the Sound alive.”
