Paddle UK would like to express its love and admiration for the extraordinary gathering of the paddling community in honour of the late Bren Orton.
Hundreds of people joined to celebrate Bren’s life, in Llangollen, in Wales, on Saturday 31 August.
Professional kayaker Bren, known for his distinct freestyle tricks on huge waves and waterfalls across the world, went missing in Switzerland, in May.
Tragically, his body was later found in Lake Maggiore, on the Swiss-Italian border.
Ashley Metcalfe, CEO of Paddle UK said his death was a “huge loss to the paddlesport community” and he “will be remembered as one of our sport’s greatest ever ambassadors”.
Palm & Pyranha said in a joint-statement that the gathering was a “show of strength by the worldwide paddling community” and “a striking visual metaphor for our love of Bren”.
“It was the largest gathering of paddlers we have ever seen,” the statement read.
“What a beautiful sight it was. We start the new week with a bittersweet array of thoughts and feelings, but a special warmth in our hearts; a reminder of the strength of our community…
“Bren laid the groundwork which made that possible throughout his time with us, sharing it generously with absolutely everyone, no matter when or where he met them, whether in real life or online, and proving he meant it by remembering them the next time.”
There are plans to set up a community-focused fund in Bren’s memory.
To sign up for the mailing list, in order to be notified when the fund is set up, please click here.