WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) - Two stand-up paddleboarders are in Wrightsville Beach this weekend, nearly halfway through an amazing journey that will take them thousands of miles.
Will Rich and Mike Simpson are stand-up paddleboarding up the entire East Coast. Their project is called SUP the Coast.
The men started their journey in Key West, Florida in March. They'll end in Portland, Maine, with hopes of finishing by July 4th.
In all, they'll paddle nearly 2,000 nautical miles.
What keeps them paddling are the causes they're representing.
The trip will raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps injured service members.
"I thought it was appropriate to stand up for those who stood up for us and talk about the wounded warriors," said Simpson.
The pair is also raising awareness for SUP Clean Up, a non-profit organization based in Wilmington that uses stand up paddleboards to clean up hard-to-reach coastal areas.
"We also both feel really strongly about the environment and keeping our beaches clean," said Rich.
So, with paddles in hand, the two men hope they're making an impact that will follow them all the way up the coast.
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