SEA ISLE-- A group of friends is setting off from one local shore town for a grueling, seven week trip. It may be tough, but it's all for a good cause.

"This is just a little warm up, get the blood flowing," said James O'Donoghue, "one last row before we head out." While rowing through the back bays of Sea Isle may be an easy task for a group of friends, they know they'll soon face a way more intense challenge. "We plan to row from Boca Raton, Florida up to Sea Isle City, New Jersey."

It's a 1,500 mile mission five friends are determined to complete, and it's all in the name of raising money for the Autism Society of America. "We'll be in shape by Georgia," joked O'Donoghue.

"Anything that involves helping people, I'm all for," said Larry Maher, one of the rowers, "it wasn't even a choice, it was like, I'm in. Didn't even think twice."

This group of friends have all rowed together in college or on local beach patrols. Today they're driving to Florida as part one of their trip. "We're excited about the row," said O'Donoghue, "but we're kinda nervous about the unknown."

The crew hopes to push off by Thursday afternoon and will row about 35 miles a day, and no matter how grueling the trip may be, they plan on making it back to Sea Isle by August 1st. "I'm very anxious, nervous, excited, everything actually," said Maher, "I can't wait to get it started, just to get all these feelings off my chest and just get it going."

The group has already raised nearly $10,000 for their cause, and have set an ambitious goal of $250,000. "Anything's possible, so hopefully," said O'Donoghue, "$250,000 is a huge amount of money, but you know, it's worth a shot."

And while they realize their journey will be a difficult one, they say seven weeks from now it will be worth while, when they can say they truly rocked the boat for autism awareness. "It's gonna be something that sticks with me the rest of my life," said Maher.

To learn more about their journey their journey, follow them along the way, and contribute to their goal, click here.