Abstract

The spectacle that is the “Paddle Round The Pier beach festival” emerged, like all good things, from very humble beginnings.

In 1996 a small group of surfers, led by founder Dave Samuel, decided to bring together the surfing community in a social seafront event which would raise money for charity at the same time. From the 50 people who attended the first “Paddle”, the event has evolved in to what is now regarded as the world’s largest free charity beach festival, with average visitor numbers of 50,000+ people!

The ethos of the event has remained the same since its inception –

Spread a little aloha-spirit and have a good time doing it.

Given the enormous success of the event, it would appear to be working!

The Paddle was then dropped for a couple of years as the main organiser Dave moved abroad to work. It was briefly taken on under licence by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage for two years but on a much smaller scale – with no marquee or prizes. In 2006 Dave and his team took back the reins to produce a record breaking event, and with each year increasing in popularity, the weekend of fun is very definitely circled on the calendar of anyone in the know!