BATH

Malcolm Gauld had been a surfer for 50 years, but when he got tired of the waves knocking him around he took up a more zen-like sport. The president of Hyde School in Bath started stand-up paddle boarding five years ago, and his love for the sport recently culminated in a paddle around Manhattan in New York City.

Called Sea Paddle NYC, the event is a 25-mile paddle around 90 percent of the island. Sea Paddle raises money for autism, a cause especially dear to Gauld’s heart.

“My son is 22 years old and living with autism,” said Gauld. “Trying to be a good father to a son with autism is one of the hardest things I’ve done in life. It’s also been one of the most rewarding.”

Gauld learned about Sea Paddle over a year ago while exploring the idea of paddle boarding somewhere in the vicinity of New York City, where his daughter lives. When he found out Sea Paddle supported autism, he was nearly sold.

“I found myself of two minds,” said Gauld. “A — could I do this? And B — could I not do this?”

Gauld decided to go for it, paid his entry fee and set out to raise the $1,000 minimum required of participants. Being the father of an autistic son, Gauld didn’t stop there.

“We raised over $11,000,” said Gauld. “We were the third largest fundraiser out of all the paddlers.”

After months of training, Gauld found himself standing knee-deep in the East River underneath the Brooklyn Bridge on Aug. 20, with 100 other participants.

Gauld said there were two kinds of paddlers in the race: serious, internationally known sponsored racers, and people like him, who were just hoping to finish.

“We started at 9:30 and (the racers) started at 10, and they blew past me at the 10-mile mark,” said Gauld. “Most of the people — like me — had never done 25 miles in their lives.”

Officials had planned for the tidal currents to be running with the paddlers, which made for smooth passage in the beginning. But the real challenge was the distance.

“I got into a good rhythm somewhere around the five-mile mark as we hit the 59th Street bridge,” said Gauld.

When the paddlers got to Hell Gate — around the halfway mark — things got interesting. The gate is an inner tidal zone between the East and Hudson rivers, and the passage here was “pretty rough,” according to Gauld.

“Then the last 10 miles were coming down the Hudson, which is wide open with boats everywhere,” said Gauld.

The combination of rough waters and fatigue led to Gauld questioning if he could finish.

“I only fell twice, but both times were during the last mile,” Gauld said.

He persevered, though, and finished with a time of five hours and 45 minutes.

“One of the great things about this experience was the camaraderie,” said Gauld. “We supported each other along the way, and each one of us finished.”

At 62, Gauld was the oldest contestant in the race.

“The Hyde community was extremely supportive of Malcolm’s decision to participate in this event,” said Jenny Collinson, head of communications and marketing at Hyde. “We are so proud of him for completing the 25- mile trek, as well as coming in as one of the top three fundraisers. I think that really shows how much the community supports his family and this cause.”

Gauld said that Sea Paddle NYC raised $300,000 for autism this year, and has generated more than $10 million in its 10-year existence.

“Three hundred thousand might not cure autism, but it could add a piece to its mysterious puzzle,” said Gauld. “And that’s a good — very good — thing.”

Even though another busy school season is beginning, Gauld plans to sneak out on the paddle board whenever possible.

“I put in up by Popham Beach last week,” Gauld said. “I go to Nequasset Lake (in Woolwich) a lot, too.”

• CALLED Sea Paddle NYC, the event is a 25-mile paddle around 90 percent of Manhattan.

• SEA PADDLE NYC raised $300,000 for autism this year, and has generated more than $10 million in its 10- year existence.