Paddle Round the Pier – Europe’s largest annual free beach festival, held in Brighton on 3rd and 4th July 2010 - has once again been declared a resounding success with over 40,000 visitors to the festival over the two days and in excess of £35,000 raised for its three nominated charities, which this year were Royal National Lifeboat Institute, SurfAid International and Whoopsadaisy.
Over 150 surfers, paddle boarders, kayakers and general enthusiasts entered the official Paddle Round the Pier event on Sunday and braved strong onshore wind and waves to compete in the headline event of the weekend.
Earlier in the day, 25 teams completed in the Paddle Something Usual event, with Vardean School eventually winning on their dolphin adventure craft.
And on Saturday, Eric Terrien from France won the 12/6 Board Stock Class of the Funky Puffin Euro Endro SUP race, in 3 hours 34 minutes, with Bobby Thatcher the winner of the Unlimited Board Class coming in at 3 hours and 24 minutes, whilst Glenn Eldridge won the Surf Life Saving GB: British Surf Ski race in just 1 hour 11 minutes.
The 40,000 visitors to the festival were greeted by brilliant sunshine, great music, a great range of outdoor adventure and extreme sport demonstrations and over 200 exhibitors – selling everything from food to surf accessories, bicycles to clothing. Sunday afternoon saw over £12,000 in gifts donated by exhibitors and local businesses raffled off to visitors. Throughout the weekend, the celebrated ‘big top’ hosted some of the best local and UK bands including The Railing Stains, Boy Com, Jo Harman Project, Los Albertos, Red Jackson and Transformer.
Says Dave Samuel, event director: “Paddle Round the Pier has been going for over a decade now and every year it just gets better. This year, the sun came out for the entire weekend and the crowds loved it! Special thanks must go out to all those who came to the festival, entered the many races, enjoyed the sun and supported all these worthy causes with their very generous donations. I would also like to thank the residents of Brighton and Hove for once again welcoming us so warmly and the Brighton and Hove City Council for their continued support. Finally, thanks to the exhibitors and the Paddle crew – a team of over 30 volunteers, who year after year, selflessly give up their time to help make this happen. It couldn’t happen without them and I’m incredibly grateful to them. The preparations for 2011 begin today!”
The organisers of Paddle Round the Pier are already looking for sponsors for the 2011 event. For further sponsorship details please contact Dave Samuel, event director on sandals@paddleroundthepier.com
Exhibitor quotes:
Andrew Scott-Miller, Director of Funky Puffin:
“Paddle Round the Pier was well organised and had a really great vibe. What a way to kick off the Summer It's always good to get off the rock (Funky Puffin is based in Jersey) and we all had a chilled out weekend!"
Chris Thomson, Managing Director of Errant Surf:
"This year's Paddle Round the Pier was a massive success. This is our number one event in the Errant Surf calendar. It’s superb mix of city, beach and ocean all in the spirit of raising cash and awareness for three worthy charities. Errant will definitely be returning to the shores of Brighton in 2011 for a bigger and better Paddle Round the Pier."
Phil Ryan and Jim Osler, The Brunswick Pub:
Phil: “We’re delighted to be involved with Paddle again and helping to raise so much money for charity. For something to be of this scale, with free entry with so much for the whole family and all for charity is phenomenal. It’s a very attractive event and good exposure for small businesses. We sponsor the music stage and ran the bars including a real ale bar and mojito bar with 35% of our bar takings donated to the nominated charities.”
Jim: “Paddle Round The Pier is the largest free music festival in the country and an outstanding event for the whole of Brighton. It's right on our doorstep so we’re able to actively advertise our music and events as well as helping to raise a lot of money for charity.”
Gemma Sparks, West Sussex Party Marquees:
“Paddle Round The Pier was an outstanding event with so much going on for everyone. It is always an excellent event for the charities involved and as a sponsor we were very proud to be there.”
Louize Kinsella, DC Leisure:
“This was a totally awesome weekend working in the heart of the city at an event that brought the whole community together. It is these kinds of events that put the fun back into fitness and get more people more active more often. A massive hat’s off to Dave and all his team, we were proud to be part of a fantastic weekend.”
Councillor David Smith, Brighton & Hove City Council - Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism – responsible for culture, arts and heritage; tourism and marketing; libraries and museums; events and leisure, sports and recreation.
“I thought it was a very good, well organised event. The weather was superb and I am sure the thousands of people who visited the ‘Paddle Round the Pier Village’ thoroughly enjoyed themselves. There was entertainment & events for all age groups. Another great success.”
Paul Spiers, founder, Wave Native:
“This was our first Paddle Round the Pier and we were blown away by the enthusiasm and passion Dave and his team have. It was great to be part of it, seeing thousands of people coming together to enjoy the sun and support some very worthy charities. And, watching the race itself was fantastic. We’ll be back!”
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