This Thursday, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary will be showing the world’s best paddling films related to whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, and SUPing as an official host of the Paddling Film Festival World Tour.

2018 Paddling Film Festival Promo from Paddling Film Festival on Vimeo.

Since 2006, the Paddling Film Festival World Tour has been showcasing paddling adventures from around the world, and the festival screens in more than 120 cities around the world. According to festival organizers, “you’ll be inspired to explore rivers, lakes, and oceans, push extremes, embrace the paddling lifestyle, and appreciate wild places.”

With twenty inspiring paddling films shortlisted for the World Tour, including the ten festival category winners, audiences will see hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, grueling kayak fishing battles and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life.

 

According to local film festival coordinator Stephanie Gandulla, the festival is only happening at a few locations in Michigan each year, and she is beyond excited to be bringing the festival to Alpena. As a host site, Alpena will be highlighted in all of the film festival’s promotional materials and marketing towards the ever-growing paddling community.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance and are $8 for the evening. The festival will take place at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, located at 500 West Fletcher Street. For more information, please visit here. 

Anne Gentry writes for Blog Downtown Alpena. Follow the blog on facebook, insta, and always remember to share with a friend.