Toddler Honoured by Ocean Charity as Colourful Paddle Event Returns to Newquay

Joe Way’s legacy lives on as Paddle for Life returns after five-year break

After five years away, Newquay’s much-loved Joe Way Paddle for Life is back — and this year’s event is set to be bigger and brighter than ever.

The charity paddle, which first began in 2008 in memory of Newquay toddler Joe Way, will return to the harbour on Thursday 26th June, bringing together skydivers, paddlers, live music and a community determined to celebrate Joe’s life and raise money for local causes.

A legacy of courage and love for the ocean

Joe was born with Angelman’s Syndrome and defied the odds on several occasions, surviving meningitis, Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and multiple superbugs. He sadly died aged four in May 2008 after suffering from SJS a second time.

Just four months after Joe’s passing, Newquay lifeguards launched the first Joe Way Memorial Paddle, which became an annual tradition for over a decade. Between the paddle and nearly 100 other fundraising events, over £180,000 was raised for more than 20 different charities.

The event paused in 2020 due to Covid, followed by a period in which the Way family were facing another serious illness. But now, they’re ready to bring back the colour and spirit of Joe’s legacy.

Honoured by Surfers Against Sewage

Joe’s love for the water has also been recognised in a special way by Surfers Against Sewage, the Cornwall-based charity fighting ocean pollution globally. His name has been added to their Sentinels of the Sea plaque at the organisation’s St Agnes HQ.

“This is a group of individuals whose legacy is protecting the ocean,” said the charity. “It’s our way of honouring them, their love of the ocean, and their ongoing legacy.”

Claire Way said: “Joe loved water and the ocean and Surfers Against Sewage have been a charity we have supported since the first paddle in 2008. It was a real eye opener to see the commitment and scale of the charity’s work, and got us excited to get more involved.”

Hugh Elworthy, Community Fundraising Coordinator at SAS, added: “It was a true honour to welcome the Way family to our headquarters and share the moment of unveiling Joe’s name on the Sentinels of the Sea plaque. This tribute means so much to all of us at SAS, as it reflects the very heart of why the plaque was created — to honour those who love our waterways and to ensure their legacy lives on through the generations.”

What’s happening at the 2025 Paddle for Life

The 2025 event promises to be packed with energy and entertainment, with favourites returning including:

• Skydivers from Cornwall Skydive, landing on Towan Beach while flying Joe’s flag

• Live performances from Lee Quinney Sings, Oll an Gwella, and Amplify Southwest DJ sets

• Around 400 paddlers expected to take part

• The RNLI beach lifeguards’ memorial paddle

• Charity and food stands throughout the harbour

The event runs through the afternoon and evening of Thursday 26th June at Newquay harbour and is organised in partnership with Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club and Surf Life Saving Cornwall, supported by local surf clubs, businesses and charities.

Special tribute prize draw now live

As part of the celebration, the family are also holding a prize draw with tickets to the legendary SAS Ball in July up for grabs. The draw is part of marking what would have been Joe’s 21st birthday last September.

To enter the draw, visit: https://go.rallyup.com/joewaypaddleforlife2025
The family is encouraging as many people as possible to share it online and help support the cause.

For full details and updates on this year’s paddle, visit www.joewaypaddle.co.uk