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2024
Special Feature
Freeland ~ A Blackwater Story by Justin Harris/Mountain River Media (40:53)
The 2024 National Paddling Film Festival was proud to host the worldwide premiere of Freeland ~ A Blackwater Story, a history of the paddlers who pioneered the first runs of the Blackwater River in West Virginia.
Freeland ~ A Blackwater Story takes a look at the past, present, and future of the Blackwater River and the whitewater culture that has developed around it. Through in-depth interviews with the whitewater pioneers of the 80's and 90's who first ran the Upper Blackwater, to the present day leaders of the community, this documentary explores the generational passing that naturally occurs within a river culture, as well as the sport's deep relationship with the nordic ski community, located 5 miles upstream of the whitewater section, at the iconic White Grass Ski Area.
Professional
2023 Lord of the Fork: Russell Fork Race by Jaron Wenger (03:00)
The official race video for the Lord of the Fork Race hosted by the Great Falls Foundation.
Changing the Flow by Bjarne Salen (10:09)
First all female kayaking and adventure guides in Nepal.
Chicas al Agua by Liz McGregor (17:58)
“And when one leaves our comfort zone, that is when we realize for the first time, our potential.”— Nancy, Chicas al Agua instructor.
Despite growing up next to one of the world’s most famous rivers, many of the young women in Futaleufú never learned how to swim. Deep in Patagonia, where gauchos still ride horses down dirt roads, an undertone of machismo lingers. Kayaking, like any “rough” sport associated with adrenaline and risk, hasn’t really been an option. By foreigners and men, sure, but teenage Chilenas? Almost never. Chicas al Agua changed everything.
Finding the Line by Katie Hake (12:13)
Alexandra “Chachi” Riesco has been shaped by rivers. From slicing through rapids in a whitewater kayak to carving into a plate in her printmaking studio, Chachi draws lines between the geologic forces she’s studied and her work and play — but following her own line hasn’t always been easy. FINDING THE LINE portrays how Chachi navigates life’s challenges, from the aftermath of a traumatic kayaking experience in Ecuador to making the leap to becoming an artist, highlighting the importance of our connections to nature and how the landscapes we explore are more than they first seem.
Near the River by Darby McAdams (11:14)
In the tourism town of Livingstone, Zambia, a group of local men who make their living portering kayaks aspire to become safety kayakers on the Zambezi River. The proposed Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Scheme threatens to flood the famous rapids of the Zambezi, and eliminate river related jobs.
On the Edge by Katie Falkenberg (12:4)
Five women set out on an eight day, 65-mile packrafting journey deep in the wilderness of Montana. Stunning scenery, challenging terrain, heavy packs, and extreme remoteness brings the group to their physical edge. A trip inspired by self growth, adventure, and world class westslope cutthroat trout fishing quickly evolves into a deeper exploration of how we are on the edge of a new climate era, leading them to question what the future of conservation and ethical wilderness recreation will look like in a rapidly changing climate.
Protect What Is Not Yours by Keegan Kuhn (02:50)
Reflections of life in the desert, the power and importance of water and our responsibility to protect what is not ours.
Paddle Tribal Waters Part II - Bring the Salmon Home by Rush Sturges (05:19)
After a successful summer program in 2022, the Paddle Tribal Waters initiative welcomes a new cohort of Indigenous youth into their beginner kayaking program to begin training for the first descent of the undammed Klamath.
Something is Changing by Mikel Sarasola (10:32)
“In the spring, the winter snow begins to melt and the water fills the valley full of life and colours.”Glacial fed from high up in the Pyrenees, the Río Ara is Spain’s last free-flowing river. And it’s drying up. Mikel Sarasola and Jan Larrue have reunited each spring in the Pyrenees, brought together by a common passion and shared dreams to explore the rivers of their homeland. In 2022, they rushed to attempt a top-to-bottom descent of the Río Ara, starting with the rarely-run Upper Ara and ending with the uber-classic Lower Ara before the water dropped out from under them. With the season growing increasingly shorter, they worry that the community will disappear, too.“I would like to think that ours won’t be the last generation to enjoy these rivers that give us so much… But I’m not very optimistic now.”
Symphony of the Kings by Andrew Dunning (12:55)
Join us on an epic journey down the Middle Fork of the Kings River in California. Known as the "Middle Kings" in the paddling community, this run has everything you could want in a whitewater expedition. A strenuous hike-in with your kayak over 12,000 foot Bishop Pass, countless class V slides, waterfalls, and rapids, all while being surrounded by the stunning beauty of Kings Canyon National Park.
This infamous river has a reputation for being humbling, scary, and difficult. I've always wanted to experience the struggle of the Middle Kings for myself, and this descent delivered a true adventure. After the record setting 2023 California winter, we put in for an early September decent and the river gods were sure to provide plenty of additional challenges. With high winds, cold temperatures, heavy rains, rising water levels, avalanches, landslides, and more wood in the river than normal, we got exactly what we were looking for!
Featuring Sage Donnelly, Drew Barrere, and Andrew Dunning. Filmed and Edited by Andrew Dunning.
The Crossing: Through Blue by Logan Graham (36:00)
Experience The Crossing: Through Blue & immerse yourself in a long-distance endurance paddle challenge from Bimini, Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach, Florida. We'll be revisiting the events that unfolded at this year's Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis, an 80 mile paddleboard race with a purpose, through the lens of Blake Carmichael & Team BLU3.
The Stakeout by Caleb Roberts (04:32)
After a chilly day on the water, Ben Marr ponders the spirit of Stakeout - one that‘s stood the test of time and keeps drawing him in, year after year.
Watermarks by Ian Smith (14:14)
Watermarks takes us on a journey of discovery, showing us the beauty and importance of our planet's most precious resource: water. We see how one person's dedication and passion for paddling, river surfing, filmmaking and conservation can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to take action and make a difference in their communities.
Accomplished Amateur
Checklist by Barra Liddy (10:06)
For those that have never been on a kayaking trip, it may seem to be an unattainable task, only possible for professionals. This is a short informational series describing the simple steps towards getting yourself on a kayaking trip.
New River Flow - Squirt Boating the Halls of Karma by Robbie Gilson (03:00)
Deep in the heart of the New River Gorge in Southern West Virginia, when the river settles into low and clear levels, a feature known as the Halls of Karma (aka the Lollygag Whirlpools) becomes an otherworldly space to surf underwater currents in these underwater space ships known as "squirt boats." The boulders of the New help to create geometric structures of water that are mesmerizing to the observer. I hope this video adequately shares the feeling of surfing a river's underwater currents, and the feminine beauty of the river.
Paddlers (in order of appearance): Andrew Grizzell, Brian Knight, John Trembley, Robbie Gilson.
Song: 'Twirl Me' by Wildlight.
The Mighty Yukon by Carlos Rodriguez (06:11)
A 10 days journey in one of the most iconic rivers in the world.
Amateur
A Merry Demshitz Christmas by James Malek (03:35)
The week before Christmas, Pennsylvania was blessed with natural flows on some of the best creeks on the east coast. The Demshitz crew went out and took care of business, checking off over 12 different creeks within 6 days. Here’s the highlight reel of our Merry Demshitz Christmas.
Bobby Miller 2023 Highlight Reel by Bobby Miller (03:30)
I had a great year kayaking in 2023 in many cool places! I hit lots of big waterfalls in Quebec, fun play on the Upper Yough and Potomac, and steep creeks in West Virginia!
In the Beginning - Ocoee River 1977 by Gary Harper (19:43)
Historical 8mm Footage that I filmed showing the first year the Ocoee River ran in 1977 along with Text Screens commenting on and explaining the footage.
Kanawha Falls Shenanigans by Rob Walker (04:21)
An afternoon boofing drops at Kanawha Falls.
No-Shuttle Packrafting the Cumberland Plateau by Brandon Jett (16:12)
You won't find any epic whitewater or hucking waterfalls here, but there is plenty of packrafting scenic class II/III with just as much hiking as paddling on the beautiful and wild Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky and Tennessee. Packrafts have changed the game as far as what is possible these days. Grab a map, find a route and go for it! From class I to V, there are a plethora of mulit-sport adventures out there if you have the skills and imagination to get creative and think outside the box. Also, feel free to play the Thumbs Up drinking game while you watch.
The Survival to Cancer by Serge Beland (16:28)
At 63 y.o. with a carcinoid cancer, still doing class 5 rapids.
This is a Kayaking Edit by Lynn Barlow (09:31)
This is a kayaking edit! I created this edit out of love and appreciation for my fellow lady paddlers to showcase our rad accomplishments on the water. I hope this edit encourages other women to take footage of their paddling and to create and share edits. The whitewater kayaking community needs more representation of women in the sport and I hope this edit inspires other women to get out there and get after it!