PHOTO GALLERY: Paddling for a cause

Brad Ward and Robert Martini with their paddleboards.

Friends, family and supports watch from shore as Brad Ward takes off for the first hour of paddling.

Cara Sullivan, Kate Bishop, Dara Baranski, Katelyn Baranski and Staci Ryan pose behind Tracy Srodes Saturday, Oct. 13.

Robert Martini and Brad Ward pose with the director of the Y Youth Shelter, Nickie Hartsock.

Mike MacLeod, Casey Stephenson, Ann Stephenson and Eric Crum

Andrea Behr and James Hilbert with Hilbert’s kids, Aiden, 3, and Juliette, 1 ½ .

Many of the Siesta Key lifeguards came out to support Brad Ward and Robert Martini, Saturday, Oct. 13.

People were encouraged to donate money and clothing over the 24-hour period that the paddleboarding challenge was happening.

Dani DiBattista, a bartender at Gecko’s and volunteer at the shelter, and Amy Leithauser, manager of Gecko’s at The Landings.

Brad Ward takes the first hour-long shift as he heads out into the Gulf of Mexico for the first hour of the 24-hour paddleboarding event Saturday, Oct. 13, at Siesta Key Public Beach.