sea swimming techniques). This is then
combined with CPR / basic first aid and an
introduction to Surf Lifesaving as a sport.
In 2015 Paddle in conjunction with
Brighton Surf Life Saving club ran a four
week long program reaching over 800
kids from across Sussex. This program
really does help to save lives and enables
all participants to safely enjoy messing
around in and around the water.
The inner confidence gained by some of
the children has been amazing to witness
and the event has incredible reports from
carers, teachers and parents relating
to the transformation in the youngsters
wellbeing and attitude following their days
experience.
So what does the Paddle weekend have
in store this year?
Entertainingly Diverse
The Paddle Village now sees four
entertainment stages:
The Main Stage
produces acts that are either on the cusp
of being signed or have just been signed
to record labels. The stage features the
very best of local talent and bands from
afar – as a demonstration of its popularity:
upward of 75 bands per week apply
to play the main stage at Paddle from
January through to June!
The Ukulele Stage
This is an area which is constantly overrun with crowds of onlookers and Ukulele
aficionados coming from all over the UK.
The Kids Stage
- In its 11th year, the Kids stage at Paddle
is always a popular destination for
families and kids alike. The entertainment
is split between actual kids performing
and professional children’s’ entertainers
looking to promote their services. If you’ve
lost your child at the event – you know
where they will be as young and old enjoy
this relaxed and popular space.
Street Dance-off arena
New for 2016, youngsters and adult
dance crew battle for the title of Paddle
Street dance crew with competition and
dance-battles all day long.
Charity
3 charity beneficiaries are annually chosen
by the voluntary Paddle Crew - for 2016
the event is supporting The RNLI, Amaze
Children’s Charity and Enviromental group
Surfers Against Sewage.
So how does the event raise any
money?
The main income comes from selling
exhibition & retail space in the Paddle
Village (which includes food & drink
concessions). The rest is due to individual
sponsorship.
Paddle Director - Dave Samuel uses the
analogy of a glass penny jar; said Dave
“every year we start with an empty vessel
but slowly everyone puts in their own little
bit until we eventually have enough to
deliver the event and make some profit
for the charities”
Dave’s casual manner belies the
seriousness of the considerable task he
personally f aces each year with funding.
With annual visitor numbers of around
50,000, this is no small event thus the
capital required to deliver it successfully
consequently represent that. In 2016 the
event cost £95,000. That’s some glass
penny jar.
But said Dave “our strength lies in our
volunteers and the community cohesion
the event represents’.
Paddle has never made a loss and has, in
fact always made a sizable chunk for the
charities concerned.
The original title event “Paddle Round the
Pier” is still about individuals gathering
sponsorship to physically paddle around
the derelict West Pier. Supporters are
given a raffle ticket for every £5 they raise.
It’s certainly not a race - just a fun event
which sees a diverse group of people
paddling everything from surfboards, and
lilos to front doors and anything else they
can get to float!
Mayo Wynne Baxter are proud to once
again support the team event of the
weekend - the “Paddle Something
Unusual” This is the crowd pleaser!
Where teams are invited to think of the
most unusual thing they can and then try
to paddle it round the pier - many with
limited success! Who can possibly forget
our very own Mr Laurence Elphick last
year in a wet wild wig and dampened
robes clinging wildly to the good ship
old bailey!
Award Winning
In 2014 Paddle Round The Pier won the
”Best Event In The City” in the Brighton
& Hove Business Awards and was highly
commended in 2015. It has been voted
one of the “Top Ten Summer Festivals”
by the Times and “Top 15 Summer
Destinations” by the Guardian. The
Independent noted it as “a highlight of
the summer”, plus the Express, The Sun
and Mail on Sunday said it was “in the top
30 festivals to visit.” We have also been
shortlisted for numerous other community,
sports promotion and volunteer awards.
It’s a fun weekend which we thoroughly
recommend you get involved in as there
really is something for everyone. We
would also like to offer a challenge to all
our associates and business colleagues
out there for the Mayo Wynne Baxter
Paddle Something Unusual!
For further details please visit
www.paddleroundthepier.com/whats-on/
water-events/paddle-something-unusual/
25