The paddle is off! Pic by Gavin

Sun smiles on biggest Paddle Round The Pier Beach Festival
 
After almost a month of rain ‘Huey’, the God of Surf, decided that it was time for the sun to shine on this year’s Paddle Round The Pier Beach Festival.
 
The decision to run the event over two days proved hugely popular with thousands of people flocking to Hove Lawns last Saturday and Sunday (7th and 8th July) to enjoy the huge variety of events going on both on land, on the beach and in the water.
 
Dave Samuel, paddle director said: “This year’s event was fantastic. We raised over £12,000 for our three charities and money is still coming in.
 
“It was also really encouraging to see so many non-watersports people coming along to the event and enjoying themselves.
 
“I would like to again give a massive thanks to all our sponsors, especially Custom TV, our organising team and our band of volunteers. They all worked extremely hard over the past few months to put on what is now an event firmly established in Brighton’s calendar.
 
“Despite the event now being over, we are really keen to hear from people who want to get involved with next year’s event – whether as a volunteer, sponsor, band or exhibitor. Just email [email protected]”.
 
And honorary friend of the PRTP Beach Festival, Norman Cook, who took part in the main paddle and judged the Bikini & Hunks in Trunks contest, was really impressed with the event: This is great and so much fun. It’s is also so typically Brighton, just like when I put on my beach parties, and no other place could hold anything like this.
 
“It’s definitely on the map as a big annual event for Brighton now.”
 
The three charities benefiting from this years monies raised are the RNLI, the Rockinghorse Appeal and SurfAid International.