Alex Mukai, right, 18, of Cape Elizabeth and Scott Yeomans, 52, of Bethlehem, Pa., race to the finish of the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim at East End beach in Portland on Saturday.

The first wave is off, and the race is on toward East End beach during the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim Saturday.

Alex Mukai of Cape Elizabeth strokes through the water with Portland in the background during the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim Saturday.

Alex Mukai, 18, of Cape Elizabeth reacts after winning the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim, as his sister Julia, 13, comes to congratulate him at East End beach in Portland on Saturday.

Scott Yeomans, 52, of Bethlehem, Pa., passes a lobster buoy while swimming in the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim on Saturday.

Race volunteer Nolasque Isirabahenda helps steady Kirsten Read, 51, of Arundel after she crossed the finish line in the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim. Read placed first in her age group for women and second overall for women.

Nancy Farrell of Syracuse, N.Y., reacts to the temperature of the water before swimming her first YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim.

YMCA of Southern Maine aquatics director Terry Swain gives a thumbs-up to finishers in the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim.

A paddleboarder watches the finish after guiding her swimmer into the chute in the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim.

Swimmers and kayakers prepare for the start of the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim.

Participants got creative with making the kayaks recognizable, such as using balloons, in the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim.

Swimmers get in the water and put on their wetsuits before the start of the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim.

The beach at Peaks Island is loaded with kayaks before the start of the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim.

A woman carries a kayak flag across the dock on Peaks Island, while the beaches fill with watercraft before the start of the 35th YMCA of Southern Maine Peaks to Portland ocean swim.