The eleventh Joe Way Paddle for Life got underway with a spectacular scene, as three skydivers from Cornwall Skydive jumped from a plane at just 2,000ft, landing on Towan beach with a small amount of beach to sparer. There were gasps and cheers from the crowd of over 1000 including 400 who entered the Paddle for Life this year.

Local boy Joe, was born with a rare genetic condition called Angelman’s Syndrome and died on the 7th May 2008 aged 4. He had been labelled a miracle boy after surviving meningitis, a potentially deadly skin reaction SJS and survived numerous super-bugs. He sadly died of complete organ failure after suffering from Steven Johnson Syndrome for a second time.

The Joe Way Paddle for Life is in partnership with Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club and Surf Life Saving Cornwall and at this year’s event raised a record £6,200.00. This was a combined effort of money raised from the paddlers entry money, food stalls, drink sales at the rowing club, prize draw raffle, sponsorship and local charities along with Surf Life Saving Clubs sell prize draw tickets leading up to the event.

The Prize draw consisted of singer song writer James Morrisons signed guitar, a holiday at award winning resort Gwel an Mor in Portreath, Skinners brewery tour, Pastel painting by John Shipley, indo Board and a Skindog surfboard.

The burger van operated by Ultra entertainment with all the food donated by Bookers in Newquay, Coastal Crepes, Skinners Brewery and the Newquay Rowing Club all helped to raise money to get the charity event over the £150k mark this year.

The Garage Company have supported the event for the third year running and was joined by The Boardroom Surf shop, Bretty.me.uk and Acorn Holiday Parks.

Each of the sponsors donated £500.00 to get the charity pot started which raised £2000.00.

The charities that are receiving donations this year are The Children’s Hospice Southwest, Cornwall Hospice Care, Lusty Glaze Surf Life Saving Club, Newquay Surf Life Saving Club, Sainsbury’s chosen charity, Cornwall Surf Life Saving Club, Bowel Cancer West, The Wave Project, Cornwall Air Ambulance, Ronald Macdonald House Bristol, Just Breath Cornwall, Cornwall Blood Bikes, Surfers against Sewage, Towan Blystra Lions and Reggie Harding whose parents are fundraising to ensure Reggie has some life changing surgery.

The annual charity paddle has a great musical sunset session and this year's line-up consisted of Steel Appeal, local sensation Daisy Clark, The Blues Brothers on the run who ended up running through the crowds in front of the rowing club whilst performing and Ant Durkin’s Silent Disco had a great set in the Rowing Club.

Titan the Robot strutted his stuff as a regular feature of the paddle and along with a flyby from the Cornwall parachute clubs plane along with the air ambulance the crowds were more than entertained.

The paddle races saw children of all abilities paddling in memory of the Newquay toddler with commentary from Dean Woods and Matt Way.

Matt, Joe’s Dad and event Director, said “We had probably the best weather ever and the sea conditions were perfect, as always the town, business, friends and family celebrated Joe’s memory in style. It is always an emotional charged day and we are already planning next year”.

The paddle relay was won by Newquay Surf Life saving Club and, with 14 teams taking part, it was the fiercest competition to date.

This years highest fundraiser award went to Cornwall Surf Life Saving club with nearly £1000 raised on the entry money and the inspirational paddler surfboard trophy was won by the Cornwall air ambulance team who finished half way through the RNLI race.

The RNLI race was the most competitive to date, after a speech from Matt Way (Joe’s dad) which fired up all the lifeguards. Fistral won the relay and the Joe Way Memorial Cup for the first time, even though four of the team were in fancy dress. The Big Gun’s Trophy was won by Jordon Haynes-Love.

The eleventh Joe Way Paddle for Life at Newquay Harbour, a charity event which has now raised £152,000 in total, started with dramatic scenes as three skydivers jumped from a plane at just 4,000ft.

Parachutists Ben Wood, Andy Montriou and Dave Wood gave the crowds a real show, landing on Towan beach with very little beach to spare. Dave, who jumped two years ago, had the honor of deploying Joe’s flag which went without a hitch much to the delight of the crowds. The three skydivers were then picked up by Cornwall Surf Life Saving and entered the harbour to huge applause, their next task was to start the first paddle heat which was followed by Chris Fowler treating the crowds to a flyby.

Local boy, Joe, was born with a rare genetic condition and died on the May 7, 2008 aged 4. He had been labelled a miracle boy after surviving meningitis, a potentially deadly skin reaction SJS, numerous superbugs but finally died of complete organ failure after suffering from Steven Johnson Syndrome for a second time.

Since his death his parents, Matt and Claire Way, have campaigned tirelessly to raise money for over 20 causes in his name.

The annual Paddle for Life in partnership with Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club and Surf Life Saving Cornwall raises money from the paddlers entry money, food stalls, drink sales at the rowing club and the prize draw raffle. The hugely successful raffle included a luxury lodge break at Gwel an Mor Resort in Portreath and a signed guitar from James Morrison as some of the prizes.

There was a great musical sunset session to finish off the fun sunny day and this year's line-up consisted of Steel Appeal, local sensation Daisy Clark, Blues Brothers On The Run who ended up running through the crowds in front of the Rowing Club whilst performing and The Silent Disco. The England v Belgium match finally finished the night off in the Rowing Club.

This year also saw a flyby from the Cornwall Air Ambulance helicopter so there was never a dull moment from start to finish.

Titan the Robot gave another spectacular show bringing the event to a standstill with his show which included soaking Newquay Mayor Andy Hannan who, as a Towan Blystra Lions member, helps organise the event.

The paddle races saw children of all abilities paddling in memory of the Newquay toddler with commentary from Dean Woods and Matt Way. The relay was won by Newquay Surf Life Saving Club and, with lots of teams taking part, it was a fierce competition.

The RNLI race was one of the most competitive so far, after a speech from Matt which fired up all the lifeguards reminding the newcomers they were paddling on the shoulders of giants alongside some of the original paddlers from 10 years ago. Fistral won the relay and the Joe Way Memorial Cup, taking a huge lead right from the start.

The Paddle event has a lot of local business support and great raffle prizes. The Way family would to thank the following people: Cornwall Surf Life Saving, Newquay Surf Life Saving, Lusty Surf Life Saving, Perran Signs, P&J Print, The Garage Co, Andy Loo’s, Hutton hire, SW Hire, Skinners Ales, The Rowing Club, Bookers of Newquay, Ultra Entertainment, Millstone Sound, Beach safety team, Frontline security, Purple gecko events, first response GB, Newquay Activity Centre, Water safety provided by Cornwall Surf Life Saving, Newquay Harbour Sports, Harbour Master, Coastal Crepes, Newquay fisherman, POW Energy Water, Ben Skinner, Tom Butler, Newquay Towan Blystra Lions and all the family and friends who helped and supported the event.

Thanks to Mike at Newquay Morrinsons, Mark from Signz’s and Kev from Trelinda B&B for providing water at the last minute to help the safety teams get through the day.

The following charities also supported the event: The Wave Project, Children's Hospice Southwest, Surfers Against Sewage and Cornwall Air Ambulance.

This year's event is looking at a total of £5,200.00 with final amounts coming in and will be given to various charities in the coming weeks. This takes Joe’s total to over £152,000.00 over the last ten years.

Matt Way said “The weather was the best we have ever had, the sea was flat and everything went to plan. The event creates a very special atmosphere in the harbour and our children as they get older understand more about what Joe’s story means to people which is very comforting for us as parents”.

Phil Bunt of Towan Blystra Lions Club said: “Joe’s Paddle for Life has grown to be one of Newquay’s most enjoyable and worthwhile days and we are already thinking about next year”.

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