Paddle4Relief 2010
After a long haul in planning and organising this years Big Paddle Event, the deed was done! A long day saw a small entry in both the race and the social paddle! The decline in numbers did not see a decline in fund raising! Sunday 30th May saw £2590.06 raised on the day, with an expected additional £700.00 plus due from sponsorship!
Not the case! Read On!
The rain held off and the wind was charitable as all the paddlers completed both the events without injury or failure.
Massive thanks must got to Barrie, Richie, Dave and all the crews on the three rescue boats. Without their generosity and expertise out on the water, the event would not be possible.
Volunteers were out in force this year, and not just from the local community. We were joined by five ladies from the London area. Ella and friends ventured down early in the morning and took to the task of emptying the Saunton beach crowds pockets of their hard earned cash. The temptation of the surfboard, donated by Surfed Out, as top prize in the raffle, was too much for most to ignore. There was a huge array of prizes to be one in both the raffle and the tombola. Further thanks must go to Kla, Ginny, Becs, Sean, Karen, Toby, Custard, Roy, Emms and Alec for their hard work on the day.
Once again it appeared that Steve 'Joeby' Slight was going to win the Brend Hotels Saunton Villas Weekend Holiday. Steve out shone his own 2009 total of £500+ in sponsorship to a new record of £762! An absolutely amazing effort again. However, Stephen Gash, had other ideas about where the prize was going! Stephen is still on the case and determined to make it a close run thing!! An absolutely amazing photo finish was on the cards, and what a bonus for this small but extremely effective and respected local charity. Stephen has amassed £945.00 to date. Our total now reaching £3535.06! It appears that we are fortunate to have amazing people around us who have massive hearts with a determination to help those less fortunate than ourselves. These are individuals who I have only personally known for a few years but it feels like a lifetime! The mutual respect immense, the brotherhood solid, the vision the same!
Huge, huge, huge thanks to both Joeby and Stephen.
Back the days events and the first ever race held by the P4R Team was won by the talented young, local longboarder, Greg Norman. Greg needed a little persuasion to enter as he had just come out the water from surfing and was without a big longboard fit for racing! It was a 9' 10” log from P4R Founder, Tim Tanton, that swayed his decision, and he never looked back as he blitzed the opposition to win a weeks holiday in France, courtesy of Errant Surf. Enjoy your holiday Greg – many congratulations. Chris Barraclough and Chris Dyer came in 2nd and 3rd respectively, followed by Welsh entry Tim Aylett in 4th.
The social paddle may have seen a 70% drop in numbers but there was no drop in energy, enthusiasm or vibe! Many experienced regular surfers, who absolutely charge out in the water with their surfing prowess, have frequently complained the paddle is too far! Well, be ashamed! More ladies than ever took part this year, and all finished the paddle with a smile and an enthusiasm for next years event. I can only applaud these ladies and all the ladies who volunteered their time back on the beach.
Alas there were no entries in the Fancy dress section of the social paddle. Somewhat surprising knowing the characters that frequent the local surfing scene!
The social paddle was followed by the hugely entertaining Merlin Cadogan, (he of Britain's Got Talent 2009 and a man known to many for being one of the local crew surfing along our coast), with his show of escapology and fire juggling under water! Quite a feat of strength, bravery and skill. And then it was the immense musical talent of Jim Jones, Chris Millington and Country Rose and the Wild Thorns to entertain the crowd who were being well fed by Stormin Norman and the Hotdoggers Crew at the BBQ tent!
A huge thank you must got out to them all, and to the volunteers and competitors on the day, not forgetting all the sponsors and businesses who were so generous with their donations.
Special thanks to Christie Estates, Bridgett Allsop, Paul and Lucy Tamlin and the Saunton Surf Life Saving Club, for their continued help and support.
Apologies for missing anyone out in the thank you list, I guess i'm still rather tired myself from such a fantastic day of support in raising money for projects in Sri lanka and in donating money to the Haiti Eartquake victims. Perhaps also we may be able to look at helping those that have suffered in Chile.
I am now in Sri Lanka, working with members of Arugam Bay Surf Club in organising the ASP WQS Sri Lanka Trials Event and inaugural AGM of the newly formed Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka (www.surfingsrilanka.com). Paddle4Relief are a major sponsor to the Trials Event, Arugam Bay Surf Club, and the Surfing Federation here. We have had the vision to realise the importance of developing surfing in Sri Lanka. We acknowledge the benefits to all in participating in surfing not only as a physical activity, but also the benefits it brings socially, psychologically, emotionally and environmentally. How it brings individuals together, developing social interaction, improving communication and bringing a sense of well being and purpose to ones life.
Again, many thanks to one and all, from both me and the team at Paddle4Relief. I am honoured to share the experience with you all. Your generosity is second to none.
And from the community here in Sri Lanka, Bohoma Isthuthi (Many thanks).
Tim Tanton (Founder - Paddle4Relief)
Photos
Race Entrants - Tim, Greg, Alec, Joeby, Chris B, Chris D, James
Race Winner, Greg Norman
Social Paddle
Line - up
Safety Talk
The Line up
Merlin
Dave Little and Jim Jones
Chris Millington
Barney
Country Rose and the Wild Thorns
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