Paddle Round The Pier Beach Festival, the worlds biggest charity beach festival returns to the city this July 2 and 3 to celebrate its 20th Anniversary.
The event was established in 1996 with just 100 people initially taking part – it now sees average visitor numbers of 50,000. Despite its enormous size the event is still run by volunteers in aid of charity.
The ethos of the event has remained the same since its inception: “Spread a little aloha-spirit” and have a good time doing it. Given the success of the event, it would appear to be working.
Based on Hove lawns, the Promenade and surrounding beaches, the Paddle Village is over 60,000 square metres featuring live music stages, food, drink and over 200 exhibit and retailers of all things water sports and beach lifestyle related.
Local restaurants feature heavily in the alfresco style dinning experience whilst crowds are entertained from the Absolute Main stage with the best of Brighton’s talented musicians.
The Ocean Flooring Kids stage is always a popular destination for families whilst the Ukulele stage adds to the “Aloha Spirit” the event represents.
New for 2016 is the demo pool for those nervous of entering the sea and the Street Funk street dance arena! Dance crews from across the south-east are expected to converge on the Paddle Village to both compete and entertain the crowds.
The Paddle Lecture Theatre returns sponsored by Shoreham Port Authority – 30 minute mini-lectures designed to whet your appetite for subjects as diverse as Surf board shaping, sea shanties and oceanography.
Paddle sports are the name of the game with competitors on the sea from Surf Life Saving, Paddle boarding, Open water swims, Ocean Skis, and the SUP Games; alongside the crowds favourite the “Paddle Something Unusual” sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter. This is where teams are invited to think of the most ridiculous thing they can – then attempt to paddle it round the remains of the old West Pier. It’s not the fastest craft that wins but the one that makes Paddle Director Dave Samuel laugh the most!
Dave says: “Brightonians are spoilt for choice when it comes to events in the city – but they do know a good one when they see one!
“Paddle is everyone’s event, it doesn’t belong to me or any other individual – It’s collectively owned by the people and the city, which is why its become so successful and this is demonstrated by locals proudly displaying a Paddle sticker on the rear of the vehicles each year – advertising the event at the same time as showing they belong.”
For The Betterment Of Others is the events mantra, which is why the Paddle Crew proudly promote the outreach work Paddle funds along with partners such as Brighton & Hove Bus company who support the Access Beach giving disabled kids and their families the chance to enjoy the beach and sea. Then there is the Schools Surf Lifesaving Program sponsored by Jeep which puts 30 kids per day through their paces as lifeguards for the whole month of June. Sharing that Aloha spirit once again!
Paddle Director Dave Samuel, continued: “We have a huge playground out there in the sea but its important that we teach everyone to respect that environment and play safe. Salt water is a great cleanser for both the physical and mental being and nothing quite beats messing about in,on or under the water.
“Don’t forget it’s in aid of charity so although free to enter you are expected to donate on the gates.”
Paddle Round The Pier takes place on Hove Lawns on July 2 & 3, 2016.