Roadshow menu
2023
Special Feature
A River Called Home by Jess Wiegandt (26:47)
The 2023 National Paddling Film festival was proud to host the worldwide premiere of “A River Called Home”; a short documentary following the journey of four women who paddle the James River in Virginia from its headwaters to the Chesapeake Bay.
Known as America’s Founding River, the James River holds a lot of our nation’s history along its riverbanks, including being home to Jamestown and Richmond. It is also the largest watershed in Virginia, with 3 million people relying on it for drinking water, commerce, and recreation. However, it is a river that faces challenges, with elevated levels of PCBs in the upper watershed, the threat of a gold mine in the middle James, and a sewage system in the lower region that results in raw overflow when rain overwhelms treatment plants.
In a 21-day expedition, these women study water quality, working with local students, to better connect with their watershed and learn how every person can become an advocate for their local rivers.
Professional
The Wintering Grounds by Paige Swift (20:36)
Top-notch, nomadic freestyle kayakers camp out in a city parking lot to train in epic rapids on urban whitewater in the Deep South. Learning from one another, they build community, sharing the ‘stoke’ for chasing goals, dreams, and world-wide adventures.
Sheri by Emily L. Doig (28:49)
How one woman's passion for design and innovation revolutionized the outdoor industry.
Sheri Tingey defied the odds and expectations of those around her by starting a company at age 50 that revolutionized the outdoor industry and changed the way paddle sports in the backcountry are viewed around the world.
'Sheri' is an incredible story about Sheri's life, the hurdles she overcame to launch her company, and the brilliance and commitment she brings to her projects every day. It is the story of her son, Thor Tingey, who built the company alongside his mother, but has only recently begun to fully grasp her level of dedication and what she has created not just for him, but for adventurers around the world who use packrafts to access remote and wild waterways.
Sheri’s story will both warm and inspire audiences as they learn about how one woman's lifelong passion culminates in her most impressive design feat to date.
Before I Die by Rush Sturges (10:36)
Following the untimely death of their father to Early Onset Alzheimer’s, the Bussell family grapples with the life-altering decision of whether or not to find out if they too carry the gene. Out of the family’s five children, Tristan Bussell, 36, is the only one who decides to take the DNA test. This uplifting documentary short focuses on how those test results profoundly change the way Tristan chooses to live his life.
Last Paddle by Roger Williams (01:12:55)
From the producers of the award-winning film RiverBlue comes the feature length documentary, Last Paddle.
One life, 1000 rivers - This inspirational and visually stunning film chronicles the amazing lifetime journey of renowned river advocate Mark Angelo who has paddled more than 1000 rivers in well over 100 countries; perhaps more than any other individual. Spanning the globe, the film chronicles a life-long commitment to river conservation and restoration. Last Paddle? makes an eloquent plea to cherish and better care for our life-giving waterways, encourages others to become environmental champions in their own right, and offers hopeful insights into how we might attain a more sustainable future.
“We saw this as a chance to profile the message of river conservation to a broader audience, we spent a year on rivers around the world to profile both what is going wrong and right, and I think it’s a very timely topic.” – Mark Angelo
Paddle Tribal Waters by Rush Sturges (09:05)
When the largest dam removal project in history begins, a group of indigenous youth learn to whitewater kayak in hopes of becoming the first people to paddle the restored river from source to sea.
Riverbound by Seth Ezekiel West (04:29)
Waterways abound in the Pacific Northwest, creating a unique space for a massive community of whitewater paddlers. "Riverbound" provides a glimpse into that magical realm.
A Baffin Vacation by Sarah McNair-Landry (12:00)
Erik Boomer and Sarah McNair-Landry set off on a bold multi-sport 45 day expedition traveling through the remote landscape of Baffin Island in search of stunning cliffs to climb and unexplored rivers to whitewater kayak.
Park Service Rescues FIFOs by J. Peyton Love (03:45)
Videoboater, P Love, assures tourists that everything will be ok. New River Gorge,WV NPS comes to the rescue.
GREYBEARD: The Man, The Myth, The Mississippi by Zak Rivers (01:31:51)
Dale “GREYBEARD” Sanders challenges himself to set another world record, trying to reclaim his title as the oldest person to paddle the full source to sea on the Mississippi River. At 87 years old it takes perseverance and an attitude that says, “one of these days I’ll get old.”
Wild Waters by David Arnaud (01:26:05)
Adventurer, competitor, daughter, friend, pioneer, hero, and badass human are all words used to describe French kayaker, Nouria Newman. In Wild Waters, we follow Nouria as she prepares to become the first female to run a 100ft (30m) waterfall; we watch her grow from a young, keen Olympic hopeful to one of the greatest kayakers of all times - male or female.
However, running some of the world’s hardest whitewater isn't Nouria's biggest life challenge. Realizing that the expectations placed upon her as both an athlete and as a woman weight heavily on her decisions and ambitions, she pushes back to make her own path.
It is this central aspect of her life— this refusal to conform to others’ expectations— where Nouria is able to use kayaking as a way to transform into her truest self, and become a once-in-a-generation kayaker.
American Whitewater River Safety: Furthering Rescue and River Running Skills by American Whitewater, US Coast Guard & Mountain Mind Media (06:12)
The focus of this safety film highlights furthering rescue and river running skills, which builds upon previous videos. Directed by Mountain Mind Media and produced by American Whitewater under a US Coast Guard grant.
American Whitewater River Safety: Tools of the Trade - Choosing Your Craft by American Whitewater, US Coast Guard & Mountain Mind Media (09:04)
The focus of this safety film highlights the different crafts used to navigate whitewater. Directed by Mountain Mind Media and produced by American Whitewater under a US Coast Guard grant.
Hank’s Wish by Trevor Croft (07:46)
In this video our team is sharing the story of a a young boater named Hank who, after his battle with Leukemia, decided he wanted to follow in his parent’s footsteps and wished become a rafter. Our friends at Sotar Reached out to us for help on behalf of Make-A-Wish in making this wish come true and with the help of some amazing sponsors the team stepped up and made Hank’s wish come true in time for the 2022 Feather River Festival.
Our friends at American Whitewater helped to provide an incredible back drop to make this happen with such a huge gathering of boaters embodying the spirit of the river community. Getting the gear together was no small feat, but we can’t thank our friends at Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, ExPed, NRS, Pit Viper, Rumpl, and Sawyer Paddles and Oars.
Gnarway 2022 || In Memory of Robert Eggleston by Zack Mutton (22:39)
Gnarway (Norway 2022). A glimpse into what went on in Norway this year. The flows were high and the crews were fired up. Such a wild trip! Big thank you to everyone that made this trip what it was and all the people that helped film these shots. In memory of Robert Eggelston. An incredibly talented paddler, never lacking in the adventurous spirit, highly respected and living life to its fullest. You are hugely missed by so many. Aroha Nui. Rest In Peace brother.
Watauga Gorge by Juan Cortes (03:15)
Doing what I love to do.
Accomplished Amateur
The Red Creek Sessions by Justin Harris/Mountain River Media (30:20)
Red Creek is the elusive Class V+ whitewater gem flowing from the Dolly Sods Wilderness in the West Virginia highlands. Join Dr. Philip Prince Ph.D. as he takes an in depth look at the geology of this region through the descent of Red Creek by a group of local whitewater kayakers on Cheatfest Weekend 2022. And then stick around for a trip down the entire Cheat Watershed as we highlight everything this iconic river has to offer. Enjoy the ride!
Wilson Creek by Lloyd D Welch Jr. (07:15)
828: SHREDDERS on Wilson creek
Snack Pack Stays in Madagascar by Bernie Engelman (16:22)
After our crew of four spent 3 weeks exploring the rivers on the East Coast of Madagascar, Cody and Louis flew home and left Cole Moore and myself to do some more paddling. We set our sights on the First Descent of the Nosivolo. The access was in question but Cole and I got lucky and found a guide via the help of our driver to help us navigate the fifteen miles of forking jungle paths until we reached the river. 120 miles and 6 days later, Cole and I both agreed that it was likely the best river either of us had ever done. Following this we made a quick trip to checkout the classic Ikopa river. Madagascar is a dream kayak destination with excellent weather, friendly locals, and phenomenal whitewater.
Appalachia River SUP by Paul Clark (03:21)
Exploring some of the best rivers in the Appalachia to run on paddle boards, including the Noli Gorge, Green, Pigeon, and Nantahala.
New Zealand: A River SUP Journey by Paul Clark (02:04)
Exploring rivers on the south island of New Zealand with paddle boards.
Canada Backcountry SUP by Paul Clark (02:39)
Hiking paddle boards into the headwaters of the Bow river in the Canadian Rockies.
An Interview with Whitewater Legend John Grace by Marc Hunt (01:11:50)
John Grace is one of our sport's most accomplished paddlers as well as one of its great organizers and leaders. In this interview, we explore his roots and motivations as he shares stories and footage from a few of his biggest adventures. This video was originally created on behalf of Southern Appalachian Paddlesports Museum.
Good Enough by Christian Knight (12:16)
A 16-year-old girl travels to Oklahoma City to compete for a spot on the U.S. National Freestyle Kayak team.
Amateur
Why I Raft by Marc Nelson (17:39)
My Father taught me to raft from the age of 8 years old, he was an inspiration to many on the water and was best known as old man river. Before his tragic unexpected passing we had planned a trip to Cataract Canyon, a place that I have seen every year of my life but one that I had never been a part of. This is the story of our trip and how loosing my father caused me to reflect on what he really gave me when he showed me the water.
Scorch Cassette by Zander Ulmer (22:10)
A video about kayaking around Mt. Baker, Washington
‘Am I an adventurer yet?’ Kayaking and Hiking in Scotland by Mark Agnew (35:16)
The plan was simple - kayak along the West Coast of Scotland and climb Munros from sea level. But there was a more abstract goal too. Mark Agnew grew up admiring Britain's many adventurers and explorers. He wanted to be like them. Having just become a father, this felt like his last opportunity to fulfill that childhood dream and become an adventurer. Mark set off on a two week adventure by kayak in Scotland. His desperate attempt to become an adventurer was filled with comical lows. He lost vital gear and was forced to adapt. The RNLI and a Coast Guard helicopter were summoned for aid. He had to adjust his plans when his kayaking partner left him alone with two kayaks in a remote village.But it was worth it for the highs, the views, the shared experiences and the wildlife.When the final day arrives, Mark is left to ponder "Am I an adventurer yet?"
Rafting in the Canyon by Lane Marsh (02:11)
Just me and some friends doing what we love in the most magical place that I have ever been.
Kayak roll by Stefan Bracke (00:52)
Gain confidence by mastering a skill you can learn.
La Petite Rivière by Adam Gendron-Mitchell (21:54)
Join us on a 9 day whitewater kayaking expedition in Minganie (Quebec, CANADA). We begin by flying north, deep into the boreal forest, landing on a small unnamed lake. From there we make our way down a small unnamed river which we nickname "La Petite Rivière". This little river flows into the Saint-Jean River, which in turn flows into the Gulf of St.Lawrence. We also make a small detour one afternoon to explore the Poisset River, another tributary of the Saint-Jean. Along the way we run some rapids, we portage some rapids and we catch lots of trout. The old footage at the start of the video was contributed by Guy Doré, who canoed down the Saint-Jean River in 1983.
The Hidden Pitfalls of Highwater Little Falls by Anton Flewelling (06:40)
An overview of blind holes that form in the middle of the river at Little Falls on the Potomac River during high-water events.
The Great Fall: Scouting and Running my first Class 5 by Anton Flewelling (04:04)
A Class 5 PFD run overdubbed with scouting discussions.