Reel Paddling Film Festival

Wow...I had never thought the films about paddling could be this good. 


Reel Paddling Film Festival showcases the best paddling films under the following categories around the world. 

Film Categories

• Best Sea Kayaking Film

• Best Canoeing Film

• Best Whitewater Film

• Best Kayak Fishing Film

• Best Documentary Paddling Film

• Best Adventure Travel Paddling Film

• Best Instructional Paddling Film

• Best Short Paddling Film

• Best Environmental Paddling Film

• NEW Best Stand-up Paddling Film

So what is so good about these films that I got up at 6 am, before going to work, to write about ? 

These films are made by people who passionate about paddling. Passionate enough to hold a paddle and a video camera with them onto the water just to share what they experience to the rest of the world. Every second on the films you can see their true love toward this sport. Some are more adventurous, more calm, more funny, more creative or more quirky than others. Just like other type of films.

However the ones that move me most are the environmental documentary paddling films. When you paddle, you are exposed to the real body of water on earth. You see it, touch it, smell it, even taste it, travel through it, through its history and its path. You are being in it. The very same water that the other livings on this planet dwell on. You experience the reality of our natural water resource, not the dressed-up tap water or the bottled water that are delivered right to us to where we live which basically blinds us that everything is fine out there.  

I was lucky to watch all nine 2012 Best Films at the ACA's Celebrate the Rapp festival. (Read about it from my post here.) You can find the complete list with the links to the film website and the details by clicking here. All was great. But my favorite would be... 

The Pipedream Project 
Director and Producer: Ryan Vandecasteyen & Faroe Des Roches 
Seeking to oppose a $5.5-billion pipeline project that would introduce crude oil tankers to the North Coast of British Columbia, three kayakers embark on an epic two-month kayak expedition along the length of the B.C. coast.


Chasing Water 
Director and Producer: Pete McBride
Pete McBride grew up on a ranch in Western Colorado, a child of the Colorado River. After a life spent visiting other countries to tell stories as a National Geographicphotojournalist, in 2008 Pete decided to follow the water from his family’s ranch to see where it ends up. This is the story of Pete’s journey, and a story about the lifeblood of the American West.


Wild Water 
Director: Anson Fogel
Producer: Forge Motion Pictures
WildWater is a journey into the places only river runners can go. It’s a visually stunning feast for the senses, and an expedition into new ideas. We wanted to communicate the essence of whitewater and put its soul on film. After thousands of hours of effort, borrowing Hollywood film tools and techniques, WildWater brings new images to kayaking and adventure cinema.


Bugs 4 Life 
Director and Producer: David Hartman
Follow Matt and Dave as they pursue their Riverbugging dream all over central northeastern Ontario.
(This one is hilarious but they shouldn't have thrown their junk on the ground or the river!)

Can't stand my writing anymore ? Check out the trailers of these films on Reel Paddling Film Festival's website or YouTube. 


Please do it now. I am begging you. : )