NEWS RELEASE
WORLD TOUR PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL
*************************
Do you love the Banff film festival? Would you love to see the re-creation of a local paddling club?
If yes, then you should definitely consider attending the World Tour Paddling Film Festival happening at 7 p.m., April 27 at the Orillia Opera House.
The Paddling Film Festival showcases some of the best paddling films in the world. This international competition is a year-long tour across the globe and screening to over 30,000 outdoor enthusiasts and their families. The festival recognizes the best paddling films in a series of categories like best whitewater kayaking film, best canoeing film, best fishing film, etc. It aims to inspire more people to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push physical and emotional extremes, embrace the lifestyle and appreciate the heritage of the wild places we paddle.
Dave Mitchell is hosting the event. He is an outdoor and adventure-based facilitator, practitioner, and trainer with 20-plus years of professional experience in the outdoor therapies, most specifically in the adventure and wilderness therapy context. Dave is trained as a social worker (MSW-2024, BSW) and teacher (OCT), and also is a trainer for numerous outdoor accreditations and licences. Dave is currently developing outdoor health(care) and well-being services for individuals, groups and families, and training opportunities for practitioners and clinicians looking to add therapeutic outdoor and adventure experiences to their practice. Stay tuned.
When asked about the reason for bringing the World Tour Paddling Film Festival to Orillia, he said, “There is such a long tradition of paddling in the area. So many people do it in their own way. Why not bring folks together and start sharing our love of paddling with a celebratory film fest? Perhaps folks will start to talk about what the possibilities of a shared paddling future might look like locally. Could there be a paddling gathering area on the waterfront again? A boathouse? Perhaps there is a need for youth programming, perhaps a hub for those looking for someone to paddle with. Who knows? Yet maybe this is a forum to begin the conversation. And, it’s paddling season again — let’s watch some films, have some laughs, and get excited about our next adventures on the water.”
Partial proceeds will go towards the re-creation of a local community-based paddling club, group or co-operative. Dave wants to revive and re-vision the historic Orillia Couchiching Canoe Club that was once in existence circa 1888. Anyone interested in the history of paddling in Orillia should read Two Jacks by David Town, which chronicles the story of two local farm boys who became North American canoe racing champions. It also highlights the known history of the Orillia Couchiching Canoe Club. The hope is to bring both Indigenous and settler paddling histories together and celebrate our paddling community.
Attendees can expect a fun, social and entertaining event inspired by compelling films such as:
There’s Good in Everything: Join whitewater legend Aniol Serrasolses while he kayaks the rivers of Chile. In his short whitewater film, Aniol shows us how mind set on the river sets paddlers apart and allows us to find the good in everything. (Director: Gonzalo Robert Juan Garcia.)
The Coppermine River: This film features epic adventure and the allure of northern rivers. Join a group of new and experienced paddlers during a daring trip down the Coppermine River in 2023. (Director: Nicholas Castel.)
David Haze: From prison to world records and environmental activism, this film tells the story of one man’s journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of the paddle. (Director and producer: Angus Peel.)
In addition to the international paddling films, the event will showcase a local filmmaker:
Gojienjawing: The Merging Waters: This film tells the story of how Nanabush shaped Gojienjawjeen, the lake more commonly known as Couchiching. The story is told by Fred King(ban) and Norm Stinson from Rama Ojibwe reserve. (Director: Kory Snache.)
The Paddling Film Festival World Tour is produced by Rapid Media and presented in Orillia by Dave Mitchell on April 27 at 7p.m.
For tickets and information: Orillia Opera House — secure1.tixhub.com/orillia-oh/online/index.asp.
To sponsor the event, partner, or donate door prizes, please email [email protected].
*************************
