The Paddle for Life started after lifeguards from Fistral Beach held a Joe Way memorial paddle to raise money for charity in 2008.  Joe is the inspirational little boy who touched people's lives around the country and beyond.

Our aim is to raise awareness of Joe’s story and inspire people to raise money for their chosen charity.

2025 Paddle For Life

The date of the 2025 Newquay Paddle for Life is Thursday 26th June...  See you there...

Newquay Paddle 2025 Event Schedule

Written by Matt Way on .

Event Timetable

  • 3:00 PM: Sign-ups Open
  • 4:00 PM: Skydive onto the beach (6 skydivers!)
  • 4:15 PM: Skydivers land, board rescue boats, and start the race after a quick photo
  • 4:15 PM: 1km Heats Begin – Family fun paddle around the bay, team relay
  • 5:00 PM: Ash Harding performs from the Rowing Club balcony
  • 5:30 PM: 200m Heats Begin – Kids, parents and children paddle inside the harbour (tide permitting)
  • 6:00 PM: Oll an Gwella sings from the Rowing Club balcony
  • 6:30 PM: 1km Relay
  • 7:00 PM: Pro Joe Way Memorial Cup – RNLI Lifeguards 1km relay paddle
  • 7:00 PM: Rowing Club Male Voice Choir
  • 7:45 PM: Paddle Trophies, RNLI Presentation, and Thank You
  • 8:00 PM: Amplify Southwest DJs at the Rowing Club (featuring Rosie Way, until 10:00 PM)

Raffle Information

Buy raffle tickets online via the QR code or with cash at the sign-in tent. The draw will take place on Sunday, and winners will be announced online.

Over £2,000 in Prizes, including:

  • Big F-T’s Shack Rockpool Adventures – Family voucher for 2 adults and 3 children
  • Wax: Family tickets to a Truro City FC game
  • WAX Gym Membership
  • Meal for two at WAX Watergate
  • 4 Tickets to the WAX Burner Obstacle Course Race (September)
  • Signed guitar from James Morrison
  • 4 waffles at the Waffle Bar (next to the Boathouse)
  • Painting of Newquay Harbour by Dug Hinge
  • Signed canvas print of Ben Skinner, Lukas Skinner & Tom Butler
  • Cream tea at Talland Hotel
  • £50 haircut voucher for Charlotte Hodge at Florries Truro
  • 2 x tickets to the SAS Ball (5th July – 35th Anniversary)
  • Lego Lodge donated by Bruton Solutions

Sponsors

£500 Sponsors: Start & Co, Henwood Funerals, Wax, Pitched Website Solutions

£250 Sponsor: Aspect Holidays

Event Background

The first paddle took place in September 2008 after Joe Way passed away aged 4. Lifeguards paddled from Watergate Bay to the harbour. The event has grown since then and has raised over £180,000 in 14 years. After a break during COVID, the event is back and bigger than ever.

Charities Attending

Make sure you visit and support:

  • Surfers Against Sewage (SAS)
  • Cornwall Air Ambulance
  • Penhaligon’s Friends
  • Wave Project
  • Children’s Hospice South West
  • St Petrocs

Food & Drink

Provided by Ultra Entertainment:

  • Pork Bap – £5 (All proceeds go to charity)
  • Water – Donation-based

Entry Fees

  • Kids (Under 18): £5
  • Adults: £10
  • Team Relay (4 people): £20

Participation Details

  • 1km Fun Paddle: Groups of 15 paddle out into the bay and back. This is not a race – just great fun!
    • Minimum Age: 9 (SLSC members), 10 (public/day members)
  • 200m Paddle: For ages 7+ inside the harbour. Great for kids and adults not taking part in the 1km paddle. Limited to groups of 10 due to space.
  • Relay Race: Teams of 4 compete. £15 per team. Winner keeps the trophy until next year. Minimum age: 10 (SLSC or day members only)

Supported By

  • Towan Blystra Lions
  • Cornwall South Lifesaving
  • Hutton Hire
  • GFS Fire
  • Andy Loo’s
  • Newquay Lions Minibus
  • Soundworx
  • Cornwall Parachute Club
  • Ultra Entertainment (Hog Roast)
  • SRT Specialist Security
  • In Safe Hands
  • Purple Gecko

Newquay charity Paddle to return in June to celebrate what would have been Joe’s 21st Birthday

Written by Scott Dickinson on .



PRESS RELEASE


Newquay’s Joe Way paddle for life charity event returns after a break of 5 years and is ready to spread some colour and fun across the harbour this summer.

Local boy Joe Way, 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 Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and survived numerous superbugs. He sadly died of complete organ failure after suffering from SJS for a second time.

In the September after Joe passed away, Newquay lifeguards held the Joe Way memorial paddle, which started the Joe Way Paddle for Life in 2008. After 11 annual ‘Paddles’ and nearly 100 other fundraising events, the team had raised over £180,000 for more than 20 different charities. With Covid holding off the 2020 event and the Way family dealing with another serious family illness, the event has not been revived until now.

Joe’s mum, Claire Way explained: “Joe would have been 21 last September so the daily memories are magnified, and with what everyone has been through the last four years, it feels right to mark this milestone and spread some goodwill across the community”.

Joe’s Dad, Matt, who is a member of Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club added: “The last event was so good, we were nervous to go for it again. However the Lions and Surf Lifesaving Cornwall were fully in favor as were previous Paddle supporters as well as new supporters. It’s always been a fun community event and a great way to celebrate Joe’s short but impactful life”.

The first four business sponsors have all stepped forward pledging £500 each, which gets the fundraising pot started with £2,000, Paddle veterans, Start and Co, Pitched Web Design, St Columb Financial Services and Henwood Funeral Directors have all been part of Joe’s story or events over the years and stepped up to support yet again.

The event has all the favorites back with skydivers from Cornwall Skydive who will be flying Joe’s flag and landing on Towan Beach, live music, plus charity and food stands, Titan the Robot, 200 paddlers, the RNLI beach lifeguards memorial paddle, along with a DJ set in Newquay Rowing Club.

The event will take place during the afternoon and evening of Thursday June 26 at Newquay harbour and is organised in partnership with Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club and Surf Life Saving Cornwall with a whole host of local businesses and support from surf clubs and charities.

To see what happens at this year's Joe Way Paddle for life and get up to date news go to www.joewaypaddle.co.uk.

All advertisers support the Joe Way Paddle for Life and have generously given their time and products to help raise money

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