FAMILY, friends and those who knew him turned out for a very special memorial event for 19-year-old Talan Penny, who passed away at the beginning of May.

Last Thursday, a paddle out event was held at Summerleaze beach in Bude, inviting people along to celebrate Talan’s life and remember him for what he really loved — surfing, the sea and the beach.

Talan’s mum, Sarah Penny, updated those who are part of the Talan’s Journey Facebook page, following the event.

She said: “Last night, Tegan and I were part of something so very special that it literally took my breath away at times. Talan was so much there and part of it all.

“Talan touched so many people in his too short life. He was, I’ve realised since his going, the peacemaker in our family; the one who allowed people to be who they are, who hated confrontation, so oiled the wheels to prevent it. It has been a learning curve for both Tegan and myself, and I think for others too.”

The event saw people of all ages come along to Summerleaze beach in their wetsuits, armed with barbecues, food and drinks for later, for the paddle out.

A paddle out is a special ritual for surfers, which commonly takes place to honour the life of a surfer who has passed away. Surfers paddle out in the water until they are far out enough to form a circle, commemorating the life of someone who was important to the surfing community — in this case, Talan, who had previously passed his lifeguard qualification with Bude Surf Life Saving Club, as well as becoming a qualified paddle coach.

With approximately 100 people forming a circle in the middle of the water at Summerleaze, and even more onlookers on the beach, the breathtakingly moving moment was captured by James Kivell, who posted the picture to the social media site, Instagram, shortly after the event took place.

After the paddle out, everybody was able to relax with their own barbecues, sitting around a fire and chatting, reliving special memories with their friend Talan.

Sarah went on to advise everyone to ‘grab life by the neck and shake it, live it to your fullest, and maybe just once in a while, think of my freckle-faced boy who did that right to the end. He would expect nothing less of you’.

One of the team behind the Talan’s Journey Facebook page, Hannah Adamson, although unable to attend the event herself, was amazed by the amount of support received. She told the Post: “The event went really well and it was a really special evening — emotional, but beautiful, and even though I couldn’t be there, I know Talan will always be with us at home now.

“He is in his favourite place and I feel it was a perfect way to celebrate his life, whilst truly showing how many people in our community love him and his family, and it was a perfect opportunity to share many wonderful and cherished memories.”

After the event, Talan’s sister, Tegan, said: “Yesterday will stay with me for a very long time. It showed the love of our friends and community for my beautiful freckled brother, who I know will live on in the ocean and in the stories told about his life and his kind soul. I miss you and love you forever.”

Talan’s friends at the Plastic Movement, an organisation run by Bude’s lifeguards, said on Facebook: “Tonight demonstrated the love our community has for one another. This is for our local boy, Talan, who will be with us in the ocean forever.”