Paddle4Relief 2009

The dream becomes a reality!

Paddle4Relief's dream of funding ten new Well Projects this year, has become a reality! The double header event day, held on Saturday 13th June, at first Saunton Beach, and then The Mariners, Braunton, has raised over £2800.00, possibly more! Not only will this allow us to complete the Well Projects but we will also be able to seriously look towards planning the building of a club house for the Surf Club in Arugam Bay.

The spirits of the paddle4relief team and their supporters was high with such  a beautiful day forecast. The swell may have looked a little too big for many, or a distraction for others, as the waves were a huge temptation not to do the paddle!
However, there were around 40 paddlers willing to ignore the fantastic surf and focus on the long paddle around to Croyde and back! As the swell hit Downend Point it was necessary for the paddlers to take a wide birth! Staying close to the shoreline would have meant being caught inside beautifully peeling 3-4ft set waves!

The group managed to paddle to Croyde and back successfully, and  complete Circles of Remembrance, both at Saunton and Croyde, the first time in three years.

Everyone had a beaming smile on their face both during and after the paddle. It was still a challenge for most, and a great achievement.

The paddle event, the fifth since the 2004 Asian Tsunami, was blessed by beautiful sunshine and minimal winds.
A mention must go out to Steve Slight AKA Joebys who raised over £500.00 in sponsorship, an absolutely amazing achievement. He will be receiving the Brend Hotels donated prize of a Saunton Villas Holiday.
A huge thank you to Richard Harrison and the safety boat crews, who once again played a vital role and skilfully assisted paddlers in completing their task, and provided a reassuring presence throughout the paddle, and to Rob Tibbles, photographer, for sacrificing his valuable surfing time by instead  throwing himself in the sea and take photos of all the paddlers.

Back up the beach, the Paddlers friends, family and supporters were busy parting with their pennies on the Tombola stall, and purchasing tickets for the legendary Paddle4Relief Raffle and the Surfboard Raffle courtesy of Glenn Harris and the team at Surfed Out. Others were getting their free ear check up provided by Rob Shaddick, Surfplugs, who again ran a surfers ear clinic at the event.

'Stormin Norman’ and the Hotdoggers team prepared a BBQ feast for the weary water men, women, and their supporters on the beach.

Big thanks guys, it was an impressive spread.

And a big thanks to Bod at Saunton Break who very generously supplied all the food.
Everyone was entertained throughout the afternoon by an amazing array of musical and magical talent! Julie Yount, Jim Heard and Jim Jones with band members Dave Little, Pete Bruntnell and Will Greeves mesmerised the crowd  with their chilling sounds. They were followed by the charismatic, adrenalin fueled, performance of the one and only Merlin Cadogan with his juggling and magic!

Thanks to Paul and Lucy Tamlyn for all there help and support at Saunton Beach and to the SLSC for the use of their club house and facilities.

What Followed was an amazing evening at The Mariners, Braunton,
with a top quality line up of musical talent and raffle prizes which proved to be a winning combination for a great night that was had by all.

Jonny Black performed an opening acoustic set that proved how versatile and talented a group of musicians they are.
The Artists, led by Pascal, may have been a late minute replacement this time but very much on the top of the list in future following their energetic and powerful performance. 

The ‘Devil Delta Blues Band’; Robin, Rich, Joel, Tim and Keith then delivered their charismatic and theatrical, up beat, feel good blues set.

Led by Robin’s amazing voice, their unique mixture of bluesy guitar, harp and vocals had the crowd amped and up dancing.
Orpheus Sounds once again provided an awesome PA for the P4R team and the artists performing. Huge thanks to both Luke and Dave and a massive thanks to The Mariners who provided a quality venue free of charge.

The infamous Paddle4relief raffle was delivered once again by the always entertaining  Kenny Wells.
Top prizes included, a Venon Surfboard from Surfed Out, Wetsuits from both O'Neill and Gul, and an amazing Goody Bag from Saltrock. 

Thank you to all those shops and businesses who generously contributed.

This brought to close Paddle4Relief 2009.

Founder Tim Tanton and the Paddle4relief team would like to express their thanks and gratitude to all who supported the event, either by contributing time, money, prizes, moral support…etc….the list can go on and on…( a bit like this article, sorry so much to say).

However P4R's efforts do not stop there.

We have three more fund raising events plus Beach Cleans throughout the summer.

Check out www.paddle4relief.co.uk for further details.

All your efforts keep Paddle4Relief’s and our community’s spirit alive.

Thankyou.