A Great Big Thank You
With great weather conditions and outstanding community spirit the Paddle for Life Event was a resounding success on Thursday 23rd September down on Newquay Harbour.
The event saw over 200 paddlers of all ages and abilities taking part to do their bit to raise money for their chosen charities, of which 20 charities will benefit from this single event. One of the many charities which took part in the paddle was the ‘Cornwall Blind Association’ lead by British champion Jonny Fryer. Ben Ford, one of the team riders (paddler) for the association had this to say about the event; “We can’t thank the Joe Way Paddle for Life team enough, their dedication to Joe’s story means surfers like us can really get involved in fundraising for our own charities”.
Over 600 spectators cheered on the paddlers, buying raffle tickets and taking part in the evening’s auction. With £5000 raised, the 2010 paddle looks set to be the most successful to date with the number of entrants and spectators.
Tiger 24 kindly donated their services, providing a live stream of the event to hundreds of online watchers many of whom used the new iphone app to watch the event on their phones. They also kept the crowds on the harbour entertained with their witty banter. Bookers wholesalers provided over £500 worth of burgers, sausages and rolls to create what can only be described as a barbeque of epic proportions. With the crowd fed and watered, the biggest highlight of the day made its appearance...TITAN THE ROBOT.
The towering 7.2 foot robot made its appearance in the early evening, ahead of the auction and live music at Newquay Rowing club. Titan the robot was present for around half an hour and interacted by singing, dancing and joking with the gathering crowds and local media.
Talking about the event and the inspirational companies and paddlers that helped the 2010 paddle event become the success it was, Matt Way had this to say about the day; “Joe’s short but action packed life has inspired businesses to provide backing to this community event and the paddlers have provided the inspiration to take one small boys story and make it their own by doing something amazing for a cause they are passionate about”.
Matt paddled the Joe Way longboard donated to him by Ben Skinner’s surfboard factory team who also paddled. Matt completed the 1km along with the Cornwall Hospice Care team which included the charities financial Director who is also a keen surfer and two girls from Pirate FM who had never paddled that far but completed the course after a bigger board was jet skied out to them half way through.
Tom Butler last years number 2 in the UK surf rankings and one of Joe’s team riders provided water cover on Hendra Holiday Park's donated Jet Ski along with help from Lusty glaze and others. As of last years paddle Newquay surf life savers had their heats and supported the whole event.
