8 of the best short films from this year’s entry. This is the only UK showing of this unique collection of films – free (if booked in advance) to any club member. Do not miss this great chance to see these films. Click here for more information and to reserve your seat…..

BOTELLA – 5m 17s
The Rio Alseseca in Mexico descends from a dormant volcano high above Veracruz in a ceaseless torrent of waterfalls. It’s a wildly majestic river that is one of the most unique in the world. Beloved as a paddler’s playground, the river plummets its way through towns and villages, which fill its banks and eddies with filth and forgotten things. A legion of paddlers believe a race through this beautiful waterscape might be the best way to save it.

DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER: Mike McKay
WEBSITE: www.five2nine.ca

DRAWN TO WATER – 1m 49s
What is it that draws us to water? Why do thoughts of rivers, lakes and oceans invade our daydreams and keep us lying awake at night? Is it the thrill of adventure, the solitude of wild places, or the friendships made along the way? It’s all of these things, and many more. Drawn to Water, the latest film from NRS, explores the inspiration that rivers, lakes and oceans bring to our lives.

DIRECTOR: Skip Armstrong, PRODUCER: Jacob Boling and Mark Deming
WEBSITE: www.nrs.com

EYES OF GOD – 24m 33s
(WINNER: Whitewater Film, sponsored by Ottawa Valley)
Thirty-three-year-old Tomass Marnics from Latvia has put together an international team of extreme kayakers. Together they plan to descend the legendary Saryjaz River. The expedition will take the adventurers directly to the Eyes of God, a mystical cliff face reminiscent of an enormous human face, in theno-man’s land between Kyrgyzstan and China.

DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER: Olaf Obsommer
WEBSITE:www.sickline.com

SEA KAYAK AROUND IRELAND – 14m
(WINNER: Sea Kayaking Film, sponsored by Trak
Discover the experiences of Irish paddlers, Sean Cahil and Jon Hynes, as they complete their lifelong dream to circumnavigate the rugged wild Atlantic coastline of Ireland. Many have paddled this famed coast but this duo brings it to life with this visually stunning, informative and often funny documentary. The message is clear: “Drop what you’re doing, and go chase your dream adventure!”

DIRECTOR: Jon Hynes, PRODUCER: Cian Walsh

SEA KAYAK ESSENTIALS VOLUME 2
SAFETY AND RESCUE – 7m 46s
(WINNER: Instructional Film, sponsored by Thompson Rivers University)

Sea Kayak Essentials Volume 2 is a valuable resource for sea kayakers wishing to paddle safely in open-water conditions, develop problem avoidance strategies and effective rescue techniques.

PRODUCER: Matthew Giblin and Nick Cunliffe
WEBSITE: www.kayakessentials.co.uk

THE CANOE – 26m 21s
(WINNER: Canoeing Film, sponsored by Silverbirch)

“If it is love that binds people to places in this nation of rivers and in this river of nations, then one enduring expression of that simple truth is surely the canoe.” —James Raffan, adventurer, acclaimed author and director emeritus of the Canadian Canoe Museum. This short documentary film captures the remarkable bond created by Canada’s well-loved national symbol—the canoe. Illustrated by the stories of five paddling enthusiasts across the province of Ontario, Canada, viewers see firsthand how the canoe fosters connection between families, landscapes, traditional Canadian cultures and our inner selves. The film underscores the strength of the canoe and human spirit, and how the canoe is a vessel for creating deep and meaningful connections. This film is a reflection of what Canadian canoe culture looks like today.

DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER: Goh Iromoto
WEBSITE: www.gohiromoto.com

WHY – 6m 43s
In the GoPro age, images of extreme feats flood social media streams. Climbers, slackliners, mountain bikers and paddlers do things that appear to most people insane, and the action may seem empty when we don’t understand the motivation behind it. Why, we ask. Why do they do this? WHY goes beyond the spectacle of extreme kayaking in search of an elusive answer.

DIRECTOR: Hugo Clouzeau, PRODUCER: We Are Hungry
WEBSITE: www.wearehungry.fr

UP SURFING BARBADOS – 9m 34s (WINNER: SUP Film, sponsored by Pelican)

Explore the varied and dramatic landscape of the beautiful island of Barbados in search of the perfect wave. From the white sand beaches of the populated Southwest to the rugged coastline and world-class breaks of the northeast, Jimmy, Casi, Matt and Connor are welcomed by colorful locals in town and on the waves.

Producer – Heliconia, Director: Anthony Poulin
WEBSITE: www.helipress.com