FROM humble beginnings, with just 100 people taking part in 1996, Paddle Round The Pier has grown into a festival seeing on average 50,000 people through the gates.

Its organiser, David Samuel, expects everyone to be out in force again to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

The charity watersports extravaganza, which is free but sees people donate on the gate, takes over Hove Lawns and the beach tomorrow and Sunday.

It encompasses a Paddle Village of more than 60,000sqm featuring live music, food, drink and in excess of 200 exhibitors and retailers of all things watersports and beach lifestyle-related.

David says, "There are lots of covered areas this year and for those going in the sea it matters not what the weather brings.

"Paddle is everyone's event - it doesn't belong to me or any other individual. It’s collectively owned by the people and the city, which is why it has become so successful.

"This is demonstrated by locals proudly displaying a Paddle sticker on the rear of the vehicles each year - advertising the event at the same time as showing they belong."

New for this year is a demo pool for those nervous about entering the sea and the Street Funk dance arena where dance crews from across the south east are expected to converge and both compete and entertain.

The Paddle Lecture Theatre also makes its return, giving 30-minute mini-lectures on subjects as diverse as surfboard shaping, sea shanties and oceanography.

All money raised goes to this year's three Paddle charities, the RNLI, Surfers Against Sewage and local children’s charity Amaze.

Ahead of this weekend, Mr Samuel renewed a plea for donations after last year only £18,000 was collected on the gates despite 50,000 attending.

David says, "Brightonians are spoilt for choice when it comes to events in the city - but they do know a good one when they see it.

"We want to keep the event as free as possible but this up to the people of the city to make it happen and for everyone to play their part - imagine how much we would raise if everyone gave £1 each."

In addition to the charitable focus, Paddle’s outreach work gives children with disabilities the chance to enjoy the sea at a specially prepared access beach while every June the Schools Surf Lifesaving Programme puts 30 youngsters through their paces as lifeguards.

David says, "Salt water is a great cleanser for both the physical and mental being and nothing quite beats messing about in the water."

The event sees a range of sea-related competitions such as the Main Paddle for the sporting types and a fun event called Paddle Something Unusual, where participants assemble their own craft and take to the water.

PADDLE ROUND THE PIER

Hove Lawns and promenade, Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3

Runs from 9.30am until 5.30pm, admission by donation, every £2 donated gets you a raffle ticket for prizes, visit paddleroundthepier.com for the full line-up