A PADDLE Out event, celebrating the life of a young man from Bude who died recently, will take place later this month.

Talan Penny, 19, passed away in May. To celebrate his life, Talan’s friends, family and the team behind the Talan’s Journey Facebook page, are welcoming one and all to come along for a ‘paddle out’ event to scatter ‘Lion’ Talan’s ashes.

A paddle out usually takes place when a surfer, or someone who was fond of the water and the sea, has died.

Those taking part in the paddle out swim out in the water and form a circle, paying their respects to that person.

Talan had completed his lifeguard qualification with Bude Surf Life Saving Club, and had also become a qualified paddle sport coach.

On Thursday, June 22, weather permitting, Talan’s family are inviting everyone who knew Talan and who would like to celebrate his life to meet at the large beach huts at the top of Summerleaze at 5.30pm, to enter the water at 6pm sharp.

Following this, there will be a party at the beach huts — bring a barbecue and any food to be barbecued.

At arrival, the family would like everyone to take a pebble and write a memory of Talan on it, as well as a flower from the bucket.

These will be taken out on the boards, and will be the family’s offerings to the sea in memory of ‘such a vibrant life’.

A spokesperson for Talan’s Journey said: “Although we don’t expect everyone to be competent swimmers or even want to go into the water, we’d love you to bring your children, grandparents and families to the party, which will commence after the paddle out.”

For more information, and to keep an eye out for updates on the event, like the Talan’s Journey Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/talansjourney.

Talan’s family, friends and those who knew him are hoping to engrave his memory to live on at the beach, which he loved.

Talan had once told his mum: “Come to the beach. I’ll always be there.”