DUDESKIN SPONSORS PADDLE ROUND THE PIER2010 PADDLE ROUND THE PIER BEACH FESTIVAL
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 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!”
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