KINGSBRIDGE and Salcombe estuary will become a riot of colour when fancy-dress paddlers wearing fluorescent take to the water to support The Wave Project.

Dozens of brightly-dressed paddlers are expected to take part in Paddle Out Loud – a sponsored paddle that sets off from Waterborn SUP at the historic Crabshell Quay in Kingsbridge starting at 4.30pm on Saturday, May 21.

Participants will wear fluorescent garb and follow the river on the outgoing tide, paddling in kayaks, on surf boards, rafts and stand-up paddle boards to raise awareness of children’s mental health.

The event will help raise funds for The Wave Project, a charity that runs free surfing lessons for socially isolated children with local courses taking place at Bigbury-on-Sea.

Paddlers will be taking part in simultaneous paddles at locations across the UK as part of a coordinated national paddle.

Along with Kingsbridge, events will take place in Cornwall, Bristol, Brighton, London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and the Isle of Wight.

To take part, paddlers have to aged over 14 or accompanied by an adult over 18. Paddlers may bring their own craft, or hire one on the day.

Wave Project chief executive Joe Taylor said: ‘This is a really colourful, fun, family event that will help to both raise awareness of children’s mental health and raise funds for The Wave Project.

‘There is lots of current evidence that getting children outside and doing fun things has a really positive impact on their mental health.

‘We want to show children and families who are struggling with their mental health that there are fun things out there that they can do, in their own community, that will help improve their outlook and wellbeing – such as surfing and paddle-boarding.’

To take part in Paddle Out Loud, participants simply register online at www.paddleoutloud.co.uk.

Participants can register for the event and also, if they wish, set up a fundraising page via Just Giving. Each participant will get a free Paddle Out Loud t-shirt.

Some SUP boards are being kindly donated by Waterborn SUP for use.

Your local Wave Project volunteer coordinator Ben Evans said: ‘We are so lucky to live in an area where we can take part in these water sports, what a great opportunity to unite them at one fun event whilst raising funds for a charity that helps young people in our area to enjoy what we take for granted. It would be great to see you there!’