Paddle for Life is BACK for 2026...

Written by Scott Dickinson on 02 May 2026.

Thursday 18th June | Newquay Harbour

Get ready for one of Cornwall’s most powerful, emotional, and exciting community events of the year... The Paddle for Life returns to Newquay Harbour for an unforgettable day of sport, music, community spirit, and celebration, all in memory of Joe Way.

Enter the paddle / get involved:
https://www.joewaypaddle.co.uk/sign-up

Buy raffle tickets online:
https://go.rallyup.com/2c4724

Donate to the cause:
https://www.joewaypaddle.co.uk/donate

Event Highlights

Skydivers landing onto the beach to open the event
1km & 200m paddle races for all ages
RNLI Pro Joe Way Memorial Cup
Live music from Lottie Brown & Tom Carr
Rowing Club Male Voice Choir
After-party with Amplify Southwest DJs
£2,000+ raffle prizes to be won

Full Running Order

8:00am – Event set-up begins
1:00pm – Food stalls & sound set-up
3:00pm – Event live & food stalls open
4:00pm – Skydivers land on the beach
4:15pm – 1km paddle heats begin + family paddle
5:00pm – Lottie Brown (Rowing Club balcony)
5:30pm – 200m heats (kids & families)
6:00pm – Tom Carr (Rowing Club balcony)
6:30pm – Relay race
7:00pm –Rowing Club Male Voice Choir & RNLI Pro Joe Way Memorial Cup (lifeguards – 1km)
7:45pm – Prize giving & RNLI presentation
8:00pm – 10:00pm – DJs in the Rowing Club (including Rosie Way)
8:00pm onwards – Pack down begins

ENTRY FEES

Kids (Under 18): £5
Adults: £10
Team Relay (4 people): £20

PARTICIPATION DETAILS

1km Fun Paddle: Groups of 15 paddle out into the bay and back. This is not a race – just great fun! Minimum Age: 9 (SLSC members), 10 (public/day members)
200m Paddle: For ages 7+ inside the harbour. Great for kids and adults not taking part in the 1km paddle. Limited to groups of 10 due to space.
Relay Race: Teams of 4 compete. £15 per team. Winner keeps the trophy until next year. Minimum age: 10 (SLSC or day members only)

Win BIG in our charity raffle

Over £2,000 worth of prizes, including:

YETI Roadie Cooler (£500 value)
Signed guitar from James Morrison
Original Newquay Harbour painting by Dug Hinge
Rockpool Adventure voucher (family of 5)
Signed Ben & Lukas Skinner canvas
…and more to be announced!

Get your tickets now:
https://www.joewaypaddle.co.uk/raffle

Or buy on the day at the signing-in tent, winners drawn Sunday and announced online

❤️ Why We Paddle

Paddle for Life began in 2008, when RNLI lifeguards paddled from Watergate Bay to Newquay Harbour in memory of Joe Way, who sadly passed away aged just 4.

Since then, this incredible event has: