How a Newquay Paddle Has Raised £188,000 in Joe Way’s Memory

Low cloud over Newquay Harbour grounded the skydivers and kept the air ambulance away. For the first time in the event’s history, the Joe Way Paddle for Life went ahead without its planned aerial displays. The crowd celebrated anyway.

Eighteen years on at Newquay Harbour

The 18th annual Joe Way Paddle for Life brought the community back to Newquay Harbour for a celebration of courage, friendship and fundraising, built around the legacy of little Joe Way. Weather conditions affected attendance and stopped some of the planned displays, but organisers still counted the day as a big success.

Supporters gathered to mark Joe’s life in the positive way that has become the signature of the Paddle for Life. The afternoon and evening ran on through fundraising activities, charity stands, prize draws and family entertainment.

A first in the event’s history

Low-level cloud forced the cancellation of the planned Skydive Cornwall beach landing 15 minutes before take off. In eighteen years of the event, it had never happened before. The same conditions stopped Cornwall Air Ambulance from carrying out its planned flypast.

Both were a blow for everyone involved. Neither did much to flatten the mood, with attendees leaning into the event’s message of positivity, resilience and community.

On the water and the harbour stage

The famous Paddle for Life went ahead, with heats that saw young and old having fun on the water. This year’s relay winners were the Newquay surf life savers.

The harbour stage carried live entertainment through the evening, with performances from Lottie Brown, Tom Carr, the Newquay Rowing Club Singers and a DJ set from Amplify Southwest.

‘We can’t thank everyone enough’

Event organiser Matt Way said the weather had not dented the atmosphere or people’s enthusiasm to celebrate Joe’s life in such a positive way.

“Every year Claire and I are overwhelmed by the support we receive,” he said. “We simply can’t thank everyone enough, our volunteers, performers, sponsors, emergency services, charities, supporters and everyone who attended.”

Matt reserved special thanks for the RNLI lifeguards who started the Paddle for Life 18 years ago and have backed it ever since. He also congratulated the 2026 winners, Esmee Gregorious, Ben Harradine and Sam Chapman.

The organisers thanked charity partners Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club and Surf Life Saving Cornwall, along with sponsors including Biffa, Pitched Marketing, Henwood Funeral Services, St Columb Financial Services, Colourworx Accident & Repair, Perran Signs, PJ Print & Signs, Skydive Cornwall, Newquay Activity Centre, SkinDog Surfboards, Radio Newquay, the Watersports Centre, Aspects Holidays and Specialist SRT Security.

Still time to get involved

Final fundraising figures are still being counted, and organisers will announce the total in the coming weeks. Since the event began, the Paddle for Life has raised more than £188,000 for charitable causes, and this year’s total is set to add to that.

The Joe Way Paddle for Life Online Prize Draw stays open until 30 June. Anyone who could not attend, or who wants to read Joe’s story, can find it and enter the draw at https://joewaypaddle.co.uk/