Please.....Remember the Generous Support of Our Sponsors

Mountain BuzzNantahala Outdoor Center

NookieNRS

Ottawa Kayak SchoolPatagonia

Phillip Gall’sRiver City Canoe & Kayak

Shred ReadySkirtworks

Smith OpticsSnap Dragon Designs

Suncloud OpticsTeamscum

TevaWalden’s Ridge Whitewater

WatershedWerner

WoodsongsWRSI

28 Years of Promoting Paddling Films & Images

While Supporting River Causes

The 28th National The 28th National Paddling Film FestivalPaddling Film Festival

with Guest Host Doug with Guest Host Doug AmmonsAmmons2010 Still Image Competition Winner “Commitment” by Chris Bell

Ace Funyaks American Whitewater

AstralBikram Yoga Lexington

Bluegrass Brewing CompanyBoatertalk

Canoe KentuckyChaco

Columbia SportswearFifth/Third Bank

Immersion ResearchJackson KayakKayak Sessions

KeenKentucky Waterways Alliance

KokatatLevel Six

LiquidlogicMadawaska Kanu Centre

Menasha Ridge Press

2 27

The NPFF Road ShowA great way for your organization to earn

money for river conservation or causes!The National Paddling Film Festival Road Show has been developedto expand the NPFF's outreach to the public. Do you want toshare this exciting event with the paddlers back home? Then getinvolved with an NPFF Road Show and the best of this innovativefestival can come to you!

By holding a National Paddling Film Festival Roadshow yourgroup can enjoy quality paddlesport films while painlesslyfundraising for your own local projects as well as helping us fur-ther our efforts with American Whitewater and other conservationand access charities.

Here is how it works:

A paddling club, conservation organization, university, philanthropist,or commercial outdoor enterprise donates $200 to the NPFF inexchange for 5 hours, which is 300 minutes of paddlesport, (mostlywhitewater) video. We provide the entertainment and you do the rest.Sounds simple, it is simple. All we ask in return is for a contract, creditcard deposit, a little advertising, and that you be a goodorganization/person doing good things.

The videos come from the NPFF’s extensive paddlesport librarycovering amateur and professional entries from 25 years of festivals.Most of our films are on DVD.

Don’t need five hours of video? We will package up 2 hour mini-showsfor $100 plus overnight shipping. We also offer a sliding fee option forspecial needs organizations. We would like to send a big thanks to all videographers and video artists who have gra-ciously allowed the NPFF to showcase and market their films for waterway conservation

The NPFF Roadshow is a winning situation for all involved: More paddlers will have the opportunity to view the latestand best in paddlesport images. Clubs and organizations can generate local conservation effort funds from the NPFFRoadshow, or add a video show to an existing, established event. Video artists have an opportunity to expose and mar-ket their work to targeted audiences. The NPFF can continue contributing money to waterway conservation effortsbeyond the festival.

The Roadshow has been seen in several dozen cities in over 18 states, Canada and Europe. Thousands of dollars havebeen raised for local organizations and the programs they support. So, go find an independent theater, college/universi-ty, or any other film friendly event,

For more Film Festival Road Show news or information visit www.npff.org

FFoorr SShhooww DDaatteess && LLooccaattiioonnss vviissiitt::wwwwww..nnppffff..oorrgg

Schedule of Events for Friday & Saturday is on Pg. 17

26 3

Welcome to NPFF 2011 and our 28th year of supportingAmerican Whitewater and River Causes!

It’s good to have you all here again at Buffalo Trace Distillery, our home for the NPFF for 4 yearsrunning, in support American Whitewater in defense of the rivers we love. For more than a quarterof a century, the National Paddling Film Festival has supported river conservation efforts byshowcasing the best motion and still images in the paddling world. Over the years, we've pro-gressed from Super 8 film through VHS, and now we're fully into the digital age…this year the mainprojection will be in HD! It's exciting to see this technology put to use for such a great cause.

I'm especially excited to announce our Guest Host, Montana native Doug Ammons. Please joinme in welcoming Doug to NPFF 2011. Doug, a world class kayaker for the last 25+ years, has completed dozens ofexpedition first descents of rivers around the world, as well as steep creeks and rivers in the Rocky Mountains in the US,Canada, and Alaska. Doug has created seven television documentaries of expeditions for National Geographic, ESPN,and the Outdoor Life Network, four those documentaries won Emmy Awards for their photography, and an additionalEmmy Award was granted for Action Cinematography.

Our film lineup this year promises to be just as exciting as last year. Doug will be introducing the much-awaited filmWildWater, and Thomas Oliver will be premiering Raven Fork.

Still Images will be shown downstairs area throughout the weekend, so be sure to check it out and vote for yourfavorite.

Friday night’s options for those still wanting to party after the festivities conclude will be downtown at the Brick Alley. ALouisville, Ky native band, Vessel, will be performing. The cover fee will be waived with your NPFF wristband.

For Saturday, you’ve got several choices:

-Paddling on the Elkhorn at the 2nd Annual Non-NPFF Race with shuttle service provided by local outfitter CanoeKentucky (pre-registered racers only).-Distillery tours Saturday morning – first one at 10:00 a.m., last one at 2:00 p.m. -Bourbon tasting from 2:00 to 4:00, sponsored by Buffalo Trace Distillery, with live music by local musician DanAtkins and Davey Fallis.

-Saturday night, after the Awards Ceremony, festival goers can head over to the Brick Alley where DJ Jessdog will beplaying your favorites, located downtown. The cover fee will be waived with your NPFF wristband. We’ve got lots offood, including many varieties of chili submitted for the NPFF chili cookoff, and beverages provided by theBluegrass Brewing Company. Don't forget to hang on to your ticket stub: you'll need it for the Door Prize drawingsthat will be going on throughout the Festival. Join us in supporting American Whitewater, and stop by the AW table andrenew your membership!

Now, sit back and enjoy "The Best in Whitewater Paddlesports Film and Images"!

Brandon Jett, Director, NPFF 2011

Schedule of Events for Friday & Saturday is on Pg. 17

New website URLhttp://www.bluegrasswildwater.org

sound and ideas trump all else. We wanted to communicate the essence of the thing - wildplaces and whitewater - and put its soul on film. Anson Fogel

9:45 Break/Silent Auction ends

10:15 Awards Ceremony END Of NPFF. See you next Year!

11:00 After Party is at the Brick Alley with DJ Jessdogg located downtown. Free entry to NPFF wristband wearers.

Please Be Safe!

If you find you have partied like you were in the camp next to your tent, let us know and wewill help you find transportation to your sleeping Bag!

Here are phone numbers to TaxisBluegrass Taxi - (502) 803-1140

Frankfort Taxi Services - (502) 223-3311

4 25

8:10 Our Guest Host: Doug Ammons

About DOUG AMMONS:

The 2011 NPFF Guest Host is Doug Ammons, a Montananative and a world class kayaker for the last 25+ years.He has completed dozens of expedition first descents ofrivers around the world, as well as steep creeks and riversin the Rocky Mountains in the US, Canada, and Alaska.He is particularly known for his solo descents of highwa-ter and extended wilderness Class V+ and VI runs.

Doug has created seven television documentaries ofexpeditions for National Geographic, ESPN, and theOutdoor Life Network, four of which won Emmy Awards forphotography. He wrote the scripts for four of them, playedguitar on the soundtracks of three, and won an Emmy for Action Cinematography in1998 for footage he shot of climbing and kayaking on an expedition in Bolivia. Theseare still shown on American and international television to millions of people world-wide.

One of the co writers and producers of the film "Wildwater", Doug is one of the found-ing fathers of modern whitewater kayaking, and is currently one of the paddling com-munity’s most thoughtful and prolific writers and leaders.In the words of Outside Magazine, when naming Dougone of the “Top 10 Game Changing Adventurers of thePast 100 years,” “In 1990, Ammons snagged the seconddescent of British Columbia's Grand Canyon of theStikine, a 60-mile Class V canyon that's the pinnacle ofexpedition kayaking. Two years later, he came back todo it solo—a feat that's never been repeated.”

8:30 WildWater Pro Gen

WildWater is a journey into the mind and soul of whitewa-ter, into the places only river runners can go, places of dis-covery, solitude and risk. Its a visually stunning feast forthe senses, and an expedition into new ideas. We set outto create a new kind of adventure film. One where image,

24 5

the stars align and everything goes perfectly, but sometimes… in the blink of an eye…things go horribly wrong. The inevitable externalities of their main goal is what they call 'thehalo effect'.Steve Fisher

6:55 Russell Fork Gorge - A Low Water Video Guide Am GenA video guide to all the major rapids in the Russell Fork Gorge at low flows.Brandon Jett

7:13 Currents: Mexico Am DocCurrents Episode 9 explores river conservation work done in Mexico by Canadian JimCoffey. As well, some amazing rivers are featured.Mike McKay

7:23 Canoe Movie Pro GenThe Canoe Movie, a collection of over 30 years of whitewater canoeing, tells a tale of historywhile paving the road for the future of canoesport. Meet the colorful characters who’vealways been a part of the foundation of all modern paddlesports, and hear their story. Followalong as we explore such topics as boat design, canoeing vs. kayaking, the unmistakablepassion and pride contained within all canoeists, pushing the limits,& much more.Will Lyons/John Grace

7:53 Seasons: Fall, Kayaking the White Salmon River with Kate Wagner Pro GenDeep Canyons with steep, spring fed creeks, make White Salmon, Washington a paddlingparadise. This Autumn we caught up with White Salmon local Kate Wagner during a soul-session outside her hometown.Skip Armstrong

Break (10min) - Announce silent auction closes at 9:45

The National Paddling Film Festival’sWilliam Nealy Award:The Story Behind the Award

donations of original artwork which greatly helped to raise the profile of the film festival. William also donated histime and opinions at several early film festivals by serving as a judge for the amateur entries. William was an occa-sional visitor to other BWA events including the legendary "Hot Tub” Beginner Clinic held at the Emory/Obed river.The notorious Saturday evening party held that evening has sparked countless tales of free flowing pitchers of mintjuleps amid wild carrying-ons by many. It was enough to inspire William to take note of the BWA and some of itsmembers in his Whitewater Home Companion Volume I.

William Nealy was a co-founder and author of Menasha Ridge Press. He was a “whitewater rebel” who had awonderful and imaginative mind. As a paddler you always knew the characters in his cartoons and had lived andexperienced what happened to them in his stories.

It was with these appreciative thoughts of William's creative genius, love of fun and generosity of spirit that we dedi-cated the 2002 NPFF to him and established the “William Nealy Award”. The BWA wanted to continue to celebrateWilliam's spirit. His profound influence in the whitewater boaters community and his lasting contributions to paddle-sports was something that will inspire future generations. It is with this award that we continue to recognize thatinspiration.

The NPFF is looking for your suggestions for a nominee for the William Nealy Award. If you have a person youwould like to nominate please write us with your reasoning as to why this person would be a good choice for receiv-ing the William Nealy Award.

Past Recipients of the William Nealy Award

The William Nealy award is given to honor extraordinary distinction in life-time achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of paddle sport artsand imagery, or for outstanding service to the National Paddling FilmFestival.

The William Nealy Award is to continue the original goal and purpose of theFilm Festival which was to encourage those who would communicate invarious art forms the enthusiasm that we have for paddling, the wonderfulplaces where we paddle and the excitement and satisfaction we find in pad-dlesports.

The late William Nealy has occupied a special place in the BWA's collectiveheart for many years. His early support of the NPFF included generous

Bob Sehlinger 2002John Davis 2003

Daniel DeLaVergne 2007 Kent Ford 2005Barry Grimes 2006

Supporting the NPFF since the first one.

6 23

2 - 4 PM Upstairs Bourbon Tasting

5:00 Team River RunnerA group of disabled veterans tackle adversity and learn to kayak.Century Paddle/Huckin Huge

5:20 I think I'm Gonna Yak Am GenA group of Texas boaters doing their best to have a good time with what little water they dohave…Its not big…but its WET!Mike LeGoffe

5:26 Any Given Weekend Am GenOn any given weekend, the Green River Narrows can be the site of triumph or tragedy;delivering a lifetime of memories or season ending injuries. On one such weekend, a groupof friends experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat from this classic steepcreek.Dan Fowler

5:36 Too Precious to Dam Am DocThe Mokihinui is New Zealand's least modified river catchment. An 85m dam is planned.This short video is a chronicle 0f 130 river people saying "Too Precious to Dam".Brian Megaw

5:44 Trip Report - Chile 2010A crew of paddlers travel to Chile for some waterfall huckin' and steep creekin'.Gareth Tate

BREAK - (10min)

6:10 Halo Effect Pro GenThree of the world's best kayakers take a two-month journey to the Scandinavian paddlingmeccas of Iceland and Norway. While they search inside the arctic circle for rapids andwaterfalls that have never been run, they're also searching for the elusive moments when

Saturday Competition ScheduleSome times may vary

Hang on to your ticket for prizes that will be handed out throughout the festival.

Bluegrass Brewing Co is proud to be the largest microbrewery located in the state of Kentucky.

Reaching back over one hundred years, the city of Louisville has a rich and complex brewinghistory; a history that has provided BBC with a strong foundation on which to build and grow. Itis a challenge we enthusiastically look forward to everyday.

Led by our fearless brew master David Pierce, who has been brewing award winning BBC beersfor over fourteen years, our brewing philosophy is an audacious style that allows us to work dili-gently with the entire palette of malts and hops. This diligence and discipline is carefully broughtto every batch that is brewed at Bluegrass Brewing Co.

To truly enjoy life you have to love what you do…and we love brewing. Our sole focus relies onconsistency and producing the best beer available. We hope that you will taste that bold style inevery BBC beer that you drink.

Enjoy great craft beer wherever you live and remember this most important piece of advice:

Don't Buy Beer From Strangers . . . Support Your Local Brewery!

227

Wow! The NPFF,28 years of support

for Our Rivers !

When the National Paddling Film Festival is metioned, most paddlers think of a week-end of fun, socializing and watching awesome paddling videos. What few realize is thatover the past 27 years the film festival has donated its proceeds for the protection, con-servation and promotion of our beloved rivers! What started out as a big project for asmall paddling club 28 years ago has turned into some impressive results. Not only hasthe festival become a mecca for paddling films and videos, but along the way it has alsocontributed a lot to help protect and enhance our rivers! Take a look at what the NationalPaddling Film Festival has done to help rivers, doesn’t it deserve your support?

Join Today!

Wild & Scenic Film FestivalKWA is hosting the national festival in Louisville Saturday, March 5, 2011

at the Clifton Center in Louisville, Ky. for a third year.More Info at:

http://www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/festival/

8 21

7:35 Welcome from Brandon Jett

Introducing Doug AmmonsWe are ecstatic to have legendary expedition kayaker Doug Ammons as the guest host ofthe National Paddling Flm festval in 2011. Doug completed the second descent of BritishColumbia's Grand Canyon of the Stikine and was the first person to solo the run, a featthat has not been repeated. Doug describes it as "one of themost challenging [kayak] runs any-body has ever found".He was recently named one of the ten greatest adventurers since 1900 byOutside Magazine. Doug is a noted author and film maker. More on Doug Ammons on pg. 24

8:05 Introducing Thomas OliverThomas W. Oliver is an Ashville, N.C. based filmaker. Following the success of his award-win-ning short film, “Green River: On the Down Low”, Thomas began work on “Raven Fork”. This ishis first feature-length film as producer, director and cinematographer. Thomas relies on 15years of paddling experience to bring this story to the big screen.

8:10 Raven ForkThe beauty of nature, the importance of friendship and the unpredictable perils of fate are eachthe subject and the breathtaking form of Thomas W. Oliver’s cinematic experience Raven Fork.Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina, two friends Dave (Glenn LaPlante) and Blake(Frank Jordan) find life, friendship, and adrenaline in a whitewater paradise. While passing theirtime traveling from kayak trip to kayak trip the two make plans to run their most ambitious riverto date; the class V Raven Fork, a river carved deep in the heart of the rugged Appalachianwilderness. A tragic river accident followed by a self-destructive tailspin explores the emotion oflife itself, the search for closure, and the momentum of the human spirit to prevail.

9:50 Q&A With Thomas Oliver

10:05Foamboater: Keep it Between the Land - The Motion Picture (with sound) Acc GenA team of foamboaters paddle the gnar.Tom Gerencer

10:35 Friday Show Over

Please Be Safe!

If you find you have partied like you were in the camp next to your tent, let us know and wewill help you find transportation to your sleeping Bag!

Here are phone numbers to TaxisBluegrass Taxi - (502) 803-1140

Frankfort Taxi Services - (502) 223-3311

Parental Advisory! Not suitable for younger viewers

20 9

2011 NPFF JudgesListed here are the Honorable 2011 NPFF Judges determining the outcome of the 28th Annual National Paddling FilmFestival Competition. By contributing their opinions they play an integral part in helping the film festival continue to serve boththe creative arts and river conservation communities. The judges’ written comments and scores are passed on to the filmmak-ers providing them with a sample audience’s perception of their work. The valuable input of the volunteer judges of the NPFFalso aids in the effort to ensure that the competition remains as fair, informative and impartial as possible.

Please join the volunteers of the NPFF, members of American Whitewater, the Bluegrass Wildwater Association and riverimage artists everywhere in giving the NPFF Judges a very big hand.

Professional & Accomplished Divisions Judges:

Shelby Bailey is a Lexington native. She graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a B.A. in film and video. She cur-rently works as a video editor for Post Time Productions, a Lexington based production company which specializes in com-mercials, corporate videos and documentaries. When Shelby can escape from work she enjoys kayaking with friends.

Bill Eades Jr. is a Lifetime member and former president of the Missouri Whitewater Association. ACA instructor for whitewa-ter, instructing mainly on-river clinics conducted by the MWA. Team paddler and technical rep for Pyranha US since 1996. Filmjudge for the NPFF since 1998. Faculty member of Washington University School of Medicine, directing a research core labo-ratory for flow cytometry, involving critical light and color measurements for fluorescent cell marking and cell sorting in medicalresearch.

Matt "Rattso" Muir has been paddling whitewater since he bought a used Dancer in 1992. He attended and judged his firstNPFF ca. 1998, and has been collecting Paddle Porn since. He also helps keep the American Whitewater website the bestsource of river beta on the World Wide Internets.

Paul Martzen lives in Fresno California where he is a professional photographer and amateur film maker. Paul is married andhas two grown sons. He started whitewater kayaking in 1982 and has explored many rivers, though mostly in California.Many of his whitewater photographs can be found on the American Whitewater website. Paul attended and helped out atthe 2008 NPFF, which he enjoyed tremendously. He is very happy to help the event this year by judging and critiquing thefilms.

Clay Wright is a creek boating and play boating pioneer with numerous international "First D's" and whitewater video appear-ances to his credit. He won the 1997 World Championship in Squirt Boating, 2005 National Championship in Freestyle as wellas numerous extreme races including the original Green Race. He still competes in races and rodeos but also serves as anICF Judge, USACK Rules Committee Chair, Keener Coach, and was guest speaker at last year's NPFF.

Barry Grimes Barry's 8mm film, "El Horrendo" provided the inspiration for the establishment of the first National Paddling FilmFestival in 1983. As a BWA member/past president and a founder of the film festival, Barry served as the NPFF Coordinatorfor several years during the 1980s and 1990s and was awarded the William Nealy Award in 2006. As an accomplished pho-tographer and videographer Barry has numerous whitewater films to his credit including several winning NPFF entries.

Nate Taylor is a firefighter in Durham, NC. He has been kayaking since 1995, and is a member of the Carolina Canoe Club.He last judged for NPFF in 2002

Colleen Laffey was a whitewater river photographer and guide in the early 80's and became a video kayaker in 1988. Sheworked as a video kayaker and the manager of the video department at a large rafting company until 1999 when she left riverwork to become a full time camera operator. Colleen has worked on such diverse shows as Deadliest Catch and JerseyShore. When she is not out on the road shooting bad tv she lives in Fayetteville, WV

Jason Powell is a 3-year member of the Bluegrass Wildwater Association and is currently serving on the SteeringCommittee as Member-at-Large. While new to the sport of kayaking, Jason has immersed himself in it – kayaking and view-ing videos, avidly. He hopes to bring a fresh, common man perspective to the 2011 NPFF judging team.

John Bacon As a freelance editor/videographer for several years now he has worked on a number of independent produc-tions . Most of his work airs on Kentucky Educational Television (KET). In addition to editing he has produced documentariesand adventure sport videos. He is also the editor for WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour.

10 19

For over two decades the National Paddling Film Festival has been hosting a competition to determine thebest in paddle sport videos and images. This competition has provided the paddling community with a funand profitable event to support American Whitewater and river conservation. For 28 years the NPFF hasalso helped to raise the quality of paddle sport entertainment by providing recognition of talent along withimportant and useful feedback for the image artists who make the show a possibility. Thanks to the judgesand the contribution of their valued written opinions along with the organizational work of the film fest vol-unteers, hundreds of amateur, accomplished and professional image artists have been better able togauge the audience's enjoyment of their work and gain the encouragement and information helpful for cre-ating even more entertaining art in the future.

In 2006, the volunteers of the National Paddling Film Festival made a few changes to the structure of thefestival in an effort to put more focus on the film and image competition and enhance the judging process.As in previous years, the NPFF volunteers will continue to prejudge all entries and also to invite volunteerjudges who are either motion picture and television media professionals, accomplished and professionalpaddling filmmakers or representatives of paddling organizations to lend their scores and opinions to deter-mine the winners. The difference in this process is that our invited judges will now be making their judg-ments prior to the festival instead of the day of the show. By making this change, the organizers of theNPFF are hoping to increase the number and diversity of qualified judges and provide more time for thejudges to score and make their comments about the entries.

Phase 1 Judging - viewing and written prejudging by NPFF Film Committee volunteers of all entriesreceived for the competition with the results determining the final film fest show length of approximately 8hours with an equal distribution of amateur, accomplished and professional entries.

NPFF Motion Competition Explained:

5:00 Doors Open

5:30 Year of the Cat - Going Feral Am GenA year of extreme class V catarafting in the Pacific Northwest and California.Shelly Becker

5:45 Ice Water in the Veins Pro DocA documentary about the unique history of ice canoeing practice in Quebec Provence inCanada.Cimon Charest

6:30 The Lucky Ones Acc GenIn the last 5 years, I have met so many people that talk about it instead of doing it.Ben Jung

6:37 Riverbone News - AMG Edition Am DocFeaturing original music by boaters for boaters, Riverbone News is reporting on AlabamaMountain Games.Zach Thomason

6:50 Harder Days Am GenRogue elements of the Bluegrass Wuldwater Association and Cave Run Kayak Club paddlingthe rapids of Grassy Creek and the Russell Fork Gorge in Elkhorn City, KY.Jeff Frazier

6:56 Trout on the Wind Acc DocTrout on the Wind takes you to Trout Creek, a tributary of the Wind River in the Columbia Gorgeto witness first hand the removal of Hemlock Dam and the restoration of the river. The dam wasbuilt in the 1930s and removed in 2009, and as a result over 14 miles of prime Steelhead trouthabitat has been restored.Ralph Bloemess/Sam Drevo

7:20 Better Than You Imagined Acc GenThis sequel to "Just Like You Imagined" joins Ottawa paddlers to some of the worlds best white-water runs, while raising money for Five2Nines Currents Webseries, a conservation initiative, aswell as First Descents.Mike McKay

Friday Night Competition ScheduleSome times may change slightly

Hang on to your ticket for prizes that will be handed out throughout the festival.

Continued on Pg 21

18 11

Phase 2 Judging - consists viewing and written prejudging by invited judges. Media professionals will bejudging the Professional Division entries with professional paddling filmmakers and paddling industry rep-resentatives judging the Accomplished Division and representatives of the paddling community judging theAmateur Division.

Show - Feb. 25-26, 2011- Winners of the competition are announced during the show with the audiencevoting their pick for the Paddler's Choice Award.

NPFF Motion Entry Divisions:

1. Amateur: Films made for the personal enjoyment of the maker and friends. To qualify in this category,films must be entirely created by amateur artists and cannot be available for sale to the general public, butmay be given to people for the cost of the medium (e.g. video cassette). Entries in this division must be nolonger than 15 minutes.

2. Accomplished: This category includes those films by persons who have significant experience in mediaproduction, but whose primary jobs/income are not associated with the production of films or videos. Filmsqualifying for this category can be, but do not have to be, available to the general public for purchase.Entries in this division must be no longer than 30 minutes.

3. Professional: An entry belongs in the Professional category if some aspect of film or video production isa primary responsibility of its makers’ employment, or if the film was produced with the intention of selling itfor profit beyond recouping the costs of production. Entries in this division are limited to 60 minutes.Instructional entries in this category are limited to edited versions no longer than 15 minutes.

Awards: The motion entries compete in the fol-lowing categories in addition to the festival audi-ence voted “Paddler’s Choice Award”. Pleasewait to cast your Paddler's Choice vote at theend of the event after viewing all of the entries.

• Amateur: General Boating, Documentary• Accomplished: General Boating, Documentary• Professional: General Boating,

Safety/Instructional, Documentary,Commercial

Judging Criteria - Awards are decided by thefollowing criteria:

• Creativity: Originality of the ideas.• Image Quality: Exposure and composition• Editing and Pacing: How the presentationflows• Content: Development of the idea• Soundtrack: Use of music/sound/narrationKEENFOOTWEAR.COM

wwwwww.suncloudoptics.com.suncloudoptics.com

12 17

Schedule forFriday &Saturday

Friday

5:00 p.m. – Doors open5:30 p.m. – Films 7:30p.m. – Welcome from Brandon Jett

& Introducing Doug Ammons8:10p.m.–9:50

Introducing Thomas Oliver &“ Raven Fork”

10:35 p.m. – After-party at the Brick,Vessel, a band from Louisville, Kentucky.

Saturday

Paddling on the Elkhorn with shuttle serviceprovided by local outfitter Canoe Kentucky. Thisyear Canoe Kentucky is helping sponsor a raceon Elkhorn Creek, everyone is welcome! Race check-in begins at noonat Elkhorn Acres Takeout.Race starts @ 1:00

Distillery tours Saturday morning – first one at10:00 a.m., last one at 2:00 p.m.

Bourbon tasting from 2:00 to 4:00, sponsoredby Buffalo Trace Distillery, with live music bylocal musician Dan Atkins.

5:00 p.m. Films Start8:45 p.m. Silent Auction Last Call8:15p.m. Doug Ammons10:15 p.m. Awards ceremony

Saturday night, after the Awards Ceremony,

festival goers can head over to the Brick Alleywith DJ Jessdogg,

Everyone with a wristband gets in free to the bar both nights.

www.skirtworks301.746.5666

The NPFF wishes to thank all the generous photographers whohave submitted their work to help raise funds for river conserva-tion. Each person has received a ballot with the program. YourBest Paddling Image ballot is critical to the success of the NPFFcompetition and we ask that you cast your vote for this competitionas soon as you have viewed the 10 finalist images.

Please help us by participating in the audience voting, your opin-ions matter! Also, please include any comments about the festivalor the entries, especially suggestions to improve the festival fornext year.

Be sure to cast your vote for Best Paddling Image in the lobby.

1613

Britt LindstromDan FowlerRich YoungBryon Dorr

Alex Somosky Jr.Regina NicolardiKevin HiselJim Gunn

The 2011 Best Paddling Image CompetitionVote for your favorite image by visiting the NPFF lobby

Emily GrimesDarin McQuoidArlyn Agababian

Best Paddling Image Competitors 2011

www.shredready.com

The beauty of nature, the importance of friendship and the unpredictable perils of fateare each the subject and the breathtaking form of Thomas W. Oliver’s cinematicexperience Raven Fork.

Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina, two friends Dave (Glenn LaPlante) and Blake (FrankJordan) find life, friendship, and adrenaline in a whitewater paradise.While passing their time traveling from kayak trip to kayak trip the two make plans to run their most ambi-tious river to date; the class V Raven Fork, a river carved deep in the heart of the rugged Appalachianwilderness.

A tragic river accident followed by a self-destructive tailspin explores the emotion of life itself, the searchfor closure, and the momentum of the human spirit to prevail.

Don’t Miss Showing of “Raven Fork” Friday Night!A Film by Thomas W. Oliver

2010 Still Image Competition Winner“Commitment” by Chris Bell

When ordinary people, share a singular passion, the extraordinaryemerges. WildWater is a journey into the mind and soul of whitewater,into the places only river runners can go, places of discovery, solitudeand risk. Its a visually stunning feast for the senses, and an expeditioninto new ideas. We set out to create a new kind of adventure film. Onewhere image, sound and ideas trump all else. We wanted to communi-cate the essence of the thing - wild places and whitewater- and put itssoul on film. A tall order. After thousands of hours of effort around theworld and in our studio, we have achieved much of the goal. BorrowingHollywood film tools and techniques, including RED digital cinema cam-eras and world class post production techniques, WildWater brings notonly new perspectives, but new images to kayaking and the world ofadventure cinema.

The film focuses on a handful of people who share a deep passion for wild places, rivers and runningwhitewater. We meet Rod Nash, the wise elder of the river and one of the founders of the wildernessmovement in the USA, while he is rowing the Grand Canyon once more at age 72. We meet DougAmmons, author of the book “Whitewater Philosophy” and one of Outside Magazines GreatestAdventurers of the last 100 years. And we hear from the current generation of men and women,sharing their love of this shared experience. The result crosses beyond generational and experimen-tal boundaries, even beyond whitewater, to look at the soul of adventure sports and what they meanto all of us as a practice that is about far more than just fun.

The film is presented in segment by location, not by athlete or person, and we bring the viewer intothat place deeply, through powerful cinematography, sound design and musical selections unique tothat time and place. The locations are:

Ecuador, The Amazon Basin - remote, wild, jungle riversThe Grand Canyon - One of America’s great wild places, filmed on a 296 mile river tripCrystal River Drainage, Colorado, USA - Steep, narrow, wild creeksYule Creek, Colorado, USA - one of the most dramatic and difficult kayak runs in the worldTumwater Gorge, Washington, USA, High Water - immense natural forces and very big waterNorth Fork Payette river, Idaho, USA Record High Water - the “north shore” of river running, we werelucky to capture this dramatic river at the highest level ever run

TOTAL RUNTIME: 30 minutes w/creditsFILMED ON: RED One Digital Cinema System, Canon 5D POV Cam, 2nd System 24/48 soundSOUND: Stereo and 6 channel discrete surround soundtracks, ultra high resolutionPICTURE: HDCAM SR, BluRay and DVD formats, mastered from from ultra high resolution 4K digital capturePREMIER: To Be DeterminedSHOWING STATUS: As of August, 2010, the film is complete and being entered in festivals. Weexpect to show the film at Banff and select theaters and film festivals in North American and Europe prior to aDVD and BluRay release in same in early 2011.CUT ON: Final Cut Pro online Uncompressed 10 Bit 2K from original

14 15

Kayak Session MagazineThe International Whitewater Magazine

videos, news, online store & gear reviews

visit us online:

www.kayaksessions.com

Wildwater: Special Showing at the NPFF!

www.wrsisafety.com

A Safer Helmet

www.rcckonline.com

When ordinary people, share a singular passion, the extraordinaryemerges. WildWater is a journey into the mind and soul of whitewater,into the places only river runners can go, places of discovery, solitudeand risk. Its a visually stunning feast for the senses, and an expeditioninto new ideas. We set out to create a new kind of adventure film. Onewhere image, sound and ideas trump all else. We wanted to communi-cate the essence of the thing - wild places and whitewater- and put itssoul on film. A tall order. After thousands of hours of effort around theworld and in our studio, we have achieved much of the goal. BorrowingHollywood film tools and techniques, including RED digital cinema cam-eras and world class post production techniques, WildWater brings notonly new perspectives, but new images to kayaking and the world ofadventure cinema.

The film focuses on a handful of people who share a deep passion for wild places, rivers and runningwhitewater. We meet Rod Nash, the wise elder of the river and one of the founders of the wildernessmovement in the USA, while he is rowing the Grand Canyon once more at age 72. We meet DougAmmons, author of the book “Whitewater Philosophy” and one of Outside Magazines GreatestAdventurers of the last 100 years. And we hear from the current generation of men and women,sharing their love of this shared experience. The result crosses beyond generational and experimen-tal boundaries, even beyond whitewater, to look at the soul of adventure sports and what they meanto all of us as a practice that is about far more than just fun.

The film is presented in segment by location, not by athlete or person, and we bring the viewer intothat place deeply, through powerful cinematography, sound design and musical selections unique tothat time and place. The locations are:

Ecuador, The Amazon Basin - remote, wild, jungle riversThe Grand Canyon - One of America’s great wild places, filmed on a 296 mile river tripCrystal River Drainage, Colorado, USA - Steep, narrow, wild creeksYule Creek, Colorado, USA - one of the most dramatic and difficult kayak runs in the worldTumwater Gorge, Washington, USA, High Water - immense natural forces and very big waterNorth Fork Payette river, Idaho, USA Record High Water - the “north shore” of river running, we werelucky to capture this dramatic river at the highest level ever run

TOTAL RUNTIME: 30 minutes w/creditsFILMED ON: RED One Digital Cinema System, Canon 5D POV Cam, 2nd System 24/48 soundSOUND: Stereo and 6 channel discrete surround soundtracks, ultra high resolutionPICTURE: HDCAM SR, BluRay and DVD formats, mastered from from ultra high resolution 4K digital capturePREMIER: To Be DeterminedSHOWING STATUS: As of August, 2010, the film is complete and being entered in festivals. Weexpect to show the film at Banff and select theaters and film festivals in North American and Europe prior to aDVD and BluRay release in same in early 2011.CUT ON: Final Cut Pro online Uncompressed 10 Bit 2K from original

14 15

Kayak Session MagazineThe International Whitewater Magazine

videos, news, online store & gear reviews

visit us online:

www.kayaksessions.com

Wildwater: Special Showing at the NPFF!

www.wrsisafety.com

A Safer Helmet

www.rcckonline.com

The NPFF wishes to thank all the generous photographers whohave submitted their work to help raise funds for river conserva-tion. Each person has received a ballot with the program. YourBest Paddling Image ballot is critical to the success of the NPFFcompetition and we ask that you cast your vote for this competitionas soon as you have viewed the 10 finalist images.

Please help us by participating in the audience voting, your opin-ions matter! Also, please include any comments about the festivalor the entries, especially suggestions to improve the festival fornext year.

Be sure to cast your vote for Best Paddling Image in the lobby.

1613

Linda TribbleDan FowlerRich YoungBryon Dorr

Alex Somosky Jr.Regina NicolardiKevin HiselJim Gunn

The 2011 Best Paddling Image CompetitionVote for your favorite image by visiting the NPFF lobby

Emily GrimesDarin McQuoidArlyn Agababian

Best Paddling Image Competitors 2011

www.shredready.com

The beauty of nature, the importance of friendship and the unpredictable perils of fateare each the subject and the breathtaking form of Thomas W. Oliver’s cinematicexperience Raven Fork.

Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina, two friends Dave (Glenn LaPlante) and Blake (FrankJordan) find life, friendship, and adrenaline in a whitewater paradise.While passing their time traveling from kayak trip to kayak trip the two make plans to run their most ambi-tious river to date; the class V Raven Fork, a river carved deep in the heart of the rugged Appalachianwilderness.

A tragic river accident followed by a self-destructive tailspin explores the emotion of life itself, the searchfor closure, and the momentum of the human spirit to prevail.

Don’t Miss Showing of “Raven Fork” Friday Night!A Film by Thomas W. Oliver

2010 Still Image Competition Winner“Commitment” by Chris Bell

12 17

Schedule forFriday &Saturday

Friday

5:00 p.m. – Doors open5:30 p.m. – Films 7:30p.m. – Welcome from Brandon Jett

& Introducing Doug Ammons8:10p.m.–9:50

Introducing Thomas Oliver &“ Raven Fork”

10:35 p.m. – After-party at the Brick,Vessel, a band from Louisville, Kentucky.

Saturday

Paddling on the Elkhorn with shuttle serviceprovided by local outfitter Canoe Kentucky. Thisyear Canoe Kentucky is helping sponsor a raceon Elkhorn Creek, everyone is welcome! Race check-in begins at noonat Elkhorn Acres Takeout.Race starts @ 1:00

Distillery tours Saturday morning – first one at10:00 a.m., last one at 2:00 p.m.

Bourbon tasting from 2:00 to 4:00, sponsoredby Buffalo Trace Distillery, with live music bylocal musician Dan Atkins.

5:00 p.m. Films Start8:45 p.m. Silent Auction Last Call8:15p.m. Doug Ammons10:15 p.m. Awards ceremony

Saturday night, after the Awards Ceremony,

festival goers can head over to the Brick Alleywith DJ Jessdogg,

Everyone with a wristband gets in free to the bar both nights.

www.skirtworks301.746.5666

18 11

Phase 2 Judging - consists viewing and written prejudging by invited judges. Media professionals will bejudging the Professional Division entries with professional paddling filmmakers and paddling industry rep-resentatives judging the Accomplished Division and representatives of the paddling community judging theAmateur Division.

Show - Feb. 25-26, 2011- Winners of the competition are announced during the show with the audiencevoting their pick for the Paddler's Choice Award.

NPFF Motion Entry Divisions:

1. Amateur: Films made for the personal enjoyment of the maker and friends. To qualify in this category,films must be entirely created by amateur artists and cannot be available for sale to the general public, butmay be given to people for the cost of the medium (e.g. video cassette). Entries in this division must be nolonger than 15 minutes.

2. Accomplished: This category includes those films by persons who have significant experience in mediaproduction, but whose primary jobs/income are not associated with the production of films or videos. Filmsqualifying for this category can be, but do not have to be, available to the general public for purchase.Entries in this division must be no longer than 30 minutes.

3. Professional: An entry belongs in the Professional category if some aspect of film or video production isa primary responsibility of its makers’ employment, or if the film was produced with the intention of selling itfor profit beyond recouping the costs of production. Entries in this division are limited to 60 minutes.Instructional entries in this category are limited to edited versions no longer than 15 minutes.

Awards: The motion entries compete in the fol-lowing categories in addition to the festival audi-ence voted “Paddler’s Choice Award”. Pleasewait to cast your Paddler's Choice vote at theend of the event after viewing all of the entries.

• Amateur: General Boating, Documentary• Accomplished: General Boating, Documentary• Professional: General Boating,

Safety/Instructional, Documentary,Commercial

Judging Criteria - Awards are decided by thefollowing criteria:

• Creativity: Originality of the ideas.• Image Quality: Exposure and composition• Editing and Pacing: How the presentationflows• Content: Development of the idea• Soundtrack: Use of music/sound/narrationKEENFOOTWEAR.COM

wwwwww.suncloudoptics.com.suncloudoptics.com

10 19

For over two decades the National Paddling Film Festival has been hosting a competition to determine thebest in paddle sport videos and images. This competition has provided the paddling community with a funand profitable event to support American Whitewater and river conservation. For 28 years the NPFF hasalso helped to raise the quality of paddle sport entertainment by providing recognition of talent along withimportant and useful feedback for the image artists who make the show a possibility. Thanks to the judgesand the contribution of their valued written opinions along with the organizational work of the film fest vol-unteers, hundreds of amateur, accomplished and professional image artists have been better able togauge the audience's enjoyment of their work and gain the encouragement and information helpful for cre-ating even more entertaining art in the future.

In 2006, the volunteers of the National Paddling Film Festival made a few changes to the structure of thefestival in an effort to put more focus on the film and image competition and enhance the judging process.As in previous years, the NPFF volunteers will continue to prejudge all entries and also to invite volunteerjudges who are either motion picture and television media professionals, accomplished and professionalpaddling filmmakers or representatives of paddling organizations to lend their scores and opinions to deter-mine the winners. The difference in this process is that our invited judges will now be making their judg-ments prior to the festival instead of the day of the show. By making this change, the organizers of theNPFF are hoping to increase the number and diversity of qualified judges and provide more time for thejudges to score and make their comments about the entries.

Phase 1 Judging - viewing and written prejudging by NPFF Film Committee volunteers of all entriesreceived for the competition with the results determining the final film fest show length of approximately 8hours with an equal distribution of amateur, accomplished and professional entries.

NPFF Motion Competition Explained:

5:00 Doors Open

5:30 Year of the Cat - Going Feral Am GenA year of extreme class V catarafting in the Pacific Northwest and California.Shelly Becker

5:45 Ice Water in the Veins Pro DocA documentary about the unique history of ice canoeing practice in Quebec Provence inCanada.Cimon Charest

6:30 The Lucky Ones Acc GenIn the last 5 years, I have met so many people that talk about it instead of doing it.Ben Jung

6:37 Riverbone News - AMG Edition Am DocFeaturing original music by boaters for boaters, Riverbone News is reporting on AlabamaMountain Games.Zach Thomason

6:50 Harder Days Am GenRogue elements of the Bluegrass Wuldwater Association and Cave Run Kayak Club paddlingthe rapids of Grassy Creek and the Russell Fork Gorge in Elkhorn City, KY.Jeff Frazier

6:56 Trout on the Wind Acc DocTrout on the Wind takes you to Trout Creek, a tributary of the Wind River in the Columbia Gorgeto witness first hand the removal of Hemlock Dam and the restoration of the river. The dam wasbuilt in the 1930s and removed in 2009, and as a result over 14 miles of prime Steelhead trouthabitat has been restored.Ralph Bloemess/Sam Drevo

7:20 Better Than You Imagined Acc GenThis sequel to "Just Like You Imagined" joins Ottawa paddlers to some of the worlds best white-water runs, while raising money for Five2Nines Currents Webseries, a conservation initiative, aswell as First Descents.Mike McKay

Friday Night Competition ScheduleSome times may change slightly

Hang on to your ticket for prizes that will be handed out throughout the festival.

Continued on Pg 21

20 9

2011 NPFF JudgesListed here are the Honorable 2011 NPFF Judges determining the outcome of the 28th Annual National Paddling FilmFestival Competition. By contributing their opinions they play an integral part in helping the film festival continue to serve boththe creative arts and river conservation communities. The judges’ written comments and scores are passed on to the filmmak-ers providing them with a sample audience’s perception of their work. The valuable input of the volunteer judges of the NPFFalso aids in the effort to ensure that the competition remains as fair, informative and impartial as possible.

Please join the volunteers of the NPFF, members of American Whitewater, the Bluegrass Wildwater Association and riverimage artists everywhere in giving the NPFF Judges a very big hand.

Professional & Accomplished Divisions Judges:

Shelby Bailey is a Lexington native. She graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a B.A. in film and video. She cur-rently works as a video editor for Post Time Productions, a Lexington based production company which specializes in com-mercials, corporate videos and documentaries. When Shelby can escape from work she enjoys kayaking with friends.

Bill Eades Jr. is a Lifetime member and former president of the Missouri Whitewater Association. ACA instructor for whitewa-ter, instructing mainly on-river clinics conducted by the MWA. Team paddler and technical rep for Pyranha US since 1996. Filmjudge for the NPFF since 1998. Faculty member of Washington University School of Medicine, directing a research core labo-ratory for flow cytometry, involving critical light and color measurements for fluorescent cell marking and cell sorting in medicalresearch.

Matt "Rattso" Muir has been paddling whitewater since he bought a used Dancer in 1992. He attended and judged his firstNPFF ca. 1998, and has been collecting Paddle Porn since. He also helps keep the American Whitewater website the bestsource of river beta on the World Wide Internets.

Paul Martzen lives in Fresno California where he is a professional photographer and amateur film maker. Paul is married andhas two grown sons. He started whitewater kayaking in 1982 and has explored many rivers, though mostly in California.Many of his whitewater photographs can be found on the American Whitewater website. Paul attended and helped out atthe 2008 NPFF, which he enjoyed tremendously. He is very happy to help the event this year by judging and critiquing thefilms.

Clay Wright is a creek boating and play boating pioneer with numerous international "First D's" and whitewater video appear-ances to his credit. He won the 1997 World Championship in Squirt Boating, 2005 National Championship in Freestyle as wellas numerous extreme races including the original Green Race. He still competes in races and rodeos but also serves as anICF Judge, USACK Rules Committee Chair, Keener Coach, and was guest speaker at last year's NPFF.

Barry Grimes Barry's 8mm film, "El Horrendo" provided the inspiration for the establishment of the first National Paddling FilmFestival in 1983. As a BWA member/past president and a founder of the film festival, Barry served as the NPFF Coordinatorfor several years during the 1980s and 1990s and was awarded the William Nealy Award in 2006. As an accomplished pho-tographer and videographer Barry has numerous whitewater films to his credit including several winning NPFF entries.

Nate Taylor is a firefighter in Durham, NC. He has been kayaking since 1995, and is a member of the Carolina Canoe Club.He last judged for NPFF in 2002

Colleen Laffey was a whitewater river photographer and guide in the early 80's and became a video kayaker in 1988. Sheworked as a video kayaker and the manager of the video department at a large rafting company until 1999 when she left riverwork to become a full time camera operator. Colleen has worked on such diverse shows as Deadliest Catch and JerseyShore. When she is not out on the road shooting bad tv she lives in Fayetteville, WV

Jason Powell is a 3-year member of the Bluegrass Wildwater Association and is currently serving on the SteeringCommittee as Member-at-Large. While new to the sport of kayaking, Jason has immersed himself in it – kayaking and view-ing videos, avidly. He hopes to bring a fresh, common man perspective to the 2011 NPFF judging team.

John Bacon As a freelance editor/videographer for several years now he has worked on a number of independent produc-tions . Most of his work airs on Kentucky Educational Television (KET). In addition to editing he has produced documentariesand adventure sport videos. He is also the editor for WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour.

8 21

7:35 Welcome from Brandon Jett

Introducing Doug AmmonsWe are ecstatic to have legendary expedition kayaker Doug Ammons as the guest host ofthe National Paddling Flm festval in 2011. Doug completed the second descent of BritishColumbia's Grand Canyon of the Stikine and was the first person to solo the run, a featthat has not been repeated. Doug describes it as "one of themost challenging [kayak] runs any-body has ever found".He was recently named one of the ten greatest adventurers since 1900 byOutside Magazine. Doug is a noted author and film maker. More on Doug Ammons on pg. 24

8:05 Introducing Thomas OliverThomas W. Oliver is an Ashville, N.C. based filmaker. Following the success of his award-win-ning short film, “Green River: On the Down Low”, Thomas began work on “Raven Fork”. This ishis first feature-length film as producer, director and cinematographer. Thomas relies on 15years of paddling experience to bring this story to the big screen.

8:10 Raven ForkThe beauty of nature, the importance of friendship and the unpredictable perils of fate are eachthe subject and the breathtaking form of Thomas W. Oliver’s cinematic experience Raven Fork.Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina, two friends Dave (Glenn LaPlante) and Blake(Frank Jordan) find life, friendship, and adrenaline in a whitewater paradise. While passing theirtime traveling from kayak trip to kayak trip the two make plans to run their most ambitious riverto date; the class V Raven Fork, a river carved deep in the heart of the rugged Appalachianwilderness. A tragic river accident followed by a self-destructive tailspin explores the emotion oflife itself, the search for closure, and the momentum of the human spirit to prevail.

9:50 Q&A With Thomas Oliver

10:05Foamboater: Keep it Between the Land - The Motion Picture (with sound) Acc GenA team of foamboaters paddle the gnar.Tom Gerencer

10:35 Friday Show Over

Please Be Safe!

If you find you have partied like you were in the camp next to your tent, let us know and wewill help you find transportation to your sleeping Bag!

Here are phone numbers to TaxisBluegrass Taxi - (502) 803-1140

Frankfort Taxi Services - (502) 223-3311

Parental Advisory! Not suitable for younger viewers

227

Wow! The NPFF,28 years of support

for Our Rivers !

When the National Paddling Film Festival is metioned, most paddlers think of a week-end of fun, socializing and watching awesome paddling videos. What few realize is thatover the past 27 years the film festival has donated its proceeds for the protection, con-servation and promotion of our beloved rivers! What started out as a big project for asmall paddling club 28 years ago has turned into some impressive results. Not only hasthe festival become a mecca for paddling films and videos, but along the way it has alsocontributed a lot to help protect and enhance our rivers! Take a look at what the NationalPaddling Film Festival has done to help rivers, doesn’t it deserve your support?

Join Today!

Wild & Scenic Film FestivalKWA is hosting the national festival in Louisville Saturday, March 5, 2011

at the Clifton Center in Louisville, Ky. for a third year.More Info at:

http://www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/festival/

6 23

2 - 4 PM Upstairs Bourbon Tasting

5:00 Team River RunnerA group of disabled veterans tackle adversity and learn to kayak.Century Paddle/Huckin Huge

5:20 I think I'm Gonna Yak Am GenA group of Texas boaters doing their best to have a good time with what little water they dohave…Its not big…but its WET!Mike LeGoffe

5:26 Any Given Weekend Am GenOn any given weekend, the Green River Narrows can be the site of triumph or tragedy;delivering a lifetime of memories or season ending injuries. On one such weekend, a groupof friends experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat from this classic steepcreek.Dan Fowler

5:36 Too Precious to Dam Am DocThe Mokihinui is New Zealand's least modified river catchment. An 85m dam is planned.This short video is a chronicle 0f 130 river people saying "Too Precious to Dam".Brian Megaw

5:44 Trip Report - Chile 2010A crew of paddlers travel to Chile for some waterfall huckin' and steep creekin'.Gareth Tate

BREAK - (10min)

6:10 Halo Effect Pro GenThree of the world's best kayakers take a two-month journey to the Scandinavian paddlingmeccas of Iceland and Norway. While they search inside the arctic circle for rapids andwaterfalls that have never been run, they're also searching for the elusive moments when

Saturday Competition ScheduleSome times may vary

Hang on to your ticket for prizes that will be handed out throughout the festival.

Bluegrass Brewing Co is proud to be the largest microbrewery located in the state of Kentucky.

Reaching back over one hundred years, the city of Louisville has a rich and complex brewinghistory; a history that has provided BBC with a strong foundation on which to build and grow. Itis a challenge we enthusiastically look forward to everyday.

Led by our fearless brew master David Pierce, who has been brewing award winning BBC beersfor over fourteen years, our brewing philosophy is an audacious style that allows us to work dili-gently with the entire palette of malts and hops. This diligence and discipline is carefully broughtto every batch that is brewed at Bluegrass Brewing Co.

To truly enjoy life you have to love what you do…and we love brewing. Our sole focus relies onconsistency and producing the best beer available. We hope that you will taste that bold style inevery BBC beer that you drink.

Enjoy great craft beer wherever you live and remember this most important piece of advice:

Don't Buy Beer From Strangers . . . Support Your Local Brewery!

24 5

the stars align and everything goes perfectly, but sometimes… in the blink of an eye…things go horribly wrong. The inevitable externalities of their main goal is what they call 'thehalo effect'.Steve Fisher

6:55 Russell Fork Gorge - A Low Water Video Guide Am GenA video guide to all the major rapids in the Russell Fork Gorge at low flows.Brandon Jett

7:13 Currents: Mexico Am DocCurrents Episode 9 explores river conservation work done in Mexico by Canadian JimCoffey. As well, some amazing rivers are featured.Mike McKay

7:23 Canoe Movie Pro GenThe Canoe Movie, a collection of over 30 years of whitewater canoeing, tells a tale of historywhile paving the road for the future of canoesport. Meet the colorful characters who’vealways been a part of the foundation of all modern paddlesports, and hear their story. Followalong as we explore such topics as boat design, canoeing vs. kayaking, the unmistakablepassion and pride contained within all canoeists, pushing the limits,& much more.Will Lyons/John Grace

7:53 Seasons: Fall, Kayaking the White Salmon River with Kate Wagner Pro GenDeep Canyons with steep, spring fed creeks, make White Salmon, Washington a paddlingparadise. This Autumn we caught up with White Salmon local Kate Wagner during a soul-session outside her hometown.Skip Armstrong

Break (10min) - Announce silent auction closes at 9:45

The National Paddling Film Festival’sWilliam Nealy Award:The Story Behind the Award

donations of original artwork which greatly helped to raise the profile of the film festival. William also donated histime and opinions at several early film festivals by serving as a judge for the amateur entries. William was an occa-sional visitor to other BWA events including the legendary "Hot Tub” Beginner Clinic held at the Emory/Obed river.The notorious Saturday evening party held that evening has sparked countless tales of free flowing pitchers of mintjuleps amid wild carrying-ons by many. It was enough to inspire William to take note of the BWA and some of itsmembers in his Whitewater Home Companion Volume I.

William Nealy was a co-founder and author of Menasha Ridge Press. He was a “whitewater rebel” who had awonderful and imaginative mind. As a paddler you always knew the characters in his cartoons and had lived andexperienced what happened to them in his stories.

It was with these appreciative thoughts of William's creative genius, love of fun and generosity of spirit that we dedi-cated the 2002 NPFF to him and established the “William Nealy Award”. The BWA wanted to continue to celebrateWilliam's spirit. His profound influence in the whitewater boaters community and his lasting contributions to paddle-sports was something that will inspire future generations. It is with this award that we continue to recognize thatinspiration.

The NPFF is looking for your suggestions for a nominee for the William Nealy Award. If you have a person youwould like to nominate please write us with your reasoning as to why this person would be a good choice for receiv-ing the William Nealy Award.

Past Recipients of the William Nealy Award

The William Nealy award is given to honor extraordinary distinction in life-time achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of paddle sport artsand imagery, or for outstanding service to the National Paddling FilmFestival.

The William Nealy Award is to continue the original goal and purpose of theFilm Festival which was to encourage those who would communicate invarious art forms the enthusiasm that we have for paddling, the wonderfulplaces where we paddle and the excitement and satisfaction we find in pad-dlesports.

The late William Nealy has occupied a special place in the BWA's collectiveheart for many years. His early support of the NPFF included generous

Bob Sehlinger 2002John Davis 2003

Daniel DeLaVergne 2007 Kent Ford 2005Barry Grimes 2006

Supporting the NPFF since the first one.

4 25

8:10 Our Guest Host: Doug Ammons

About DOUG AMMONS:

The 2011 NPFF Guest Host is Doug Ammons, a Montananative and a world class kayaker for the last 25+ years.He has completed dozens of expedition first descents ofrivers around the world, as well as steep creeks and riversin the Rocky Mountains in the US, Canada, and Alaska.He is particularly known for his solo descents of highwa-ter and extended wilderness Class V+ and VI runs.

Doug has created seven television documentaries ofexpeditions for National Geographic, ESPN, and theOutdoor Life Network, four of which won Emmy Awards forphotography. He wrote the scripts for four of them, playedguitar on the soundtracks of three, and won an Emmy for Action Cinematography in1998 for footage he shot of climbing and kayaking on an expedition in Bolivia. Theseare still shown on American and international television to millions of people world-wide.

One of the co writers and producers of the film "Wildwater", Doug is one of the found-ing fathers of modern whitewater kayaking, and is currently one of the paddling com-munity’s most thoughtful and prolific writers and leaders.In the words of Outside Magazine, when naming Dougone of the “Top 10 Game Changing Adventurers of thePast 100 years,” “In 1990, Ammons snagged the seconddescent of British Columbia's Grand Canyon of theStikine, a 60-mile Class V canyon that's the pinnacle ofexpedition kayaking. Two years later, he came back todo it solo—a feat that's never been repeated.”

8:30 WildWater Pro Gen

WildWater is a journey into the mind and soul of whitewa-ter, into the places only river runners can go, places of dis-covery, solitude and risk. Its a visually stunning feast forthe senses, and an expedition into new ideas. We set outto create a new kind of adventure film. One where image,

26 3

Welcome to NPFF 2011 and our 28th year of supportingAmerican Whitewater and River Causes!

It’s good to have you all here again at Buffalo Trace Distillery, our home for the NPFF for 4 yearsrunning, in support American Whitewater in defense of the rivers we love. For more than a quarterof a century, the National Paddling Film Festival has supported river conservation efforts byshowcasing the best motion and still images in the paddling world. Over the years, we've pro-gressed from Super 8 film through VHS, and now we're fully into the digital age…this year the mainprojection will be in HD! It's exciting to see this technology put to use for such a great cause.

I'm especially excited to announce our Guest Host, Montana native Doug Ammons. Please joinme in welcoming Doug to NPFF 2011. Doug, a world class kayaker for the last 25+ years, has completed dozens ofexpedition first descents of rivers around the world, as well as steep creeks and rivers in the Rocky Mountains in the US,Canada, and Alaska. Doug has created seven television documentaries of expeditions for National Geographic, ESPN,and the Outdoor Life Network, four those documentaries won Emmy Awards for their photography, and an additionalEmmy Award was granted for Action Cinematography.

Our film lineup this year promises to be just as exciting as last year. Doug will be introducing the much-awaited filmWildWater, and Thomas Oliver will be premiering Raven Fork.

Still Images will be shown downstairs area throughout the weekend, so be sure to check it out and vote for yourfavorite.

Friday night’s options for those still wanting to party after the festivities conclude will be downtown at the Brick Alley. ALouisville, Ky native band, Vessel, will be performing. The cover fee will be waived with your NPFF wristband.

For Saturday, you’ve got several choices:

-Paddling on the Elkhorn at the 2nd Annual Non-NPFF Race with shuttle service provided by local outfitter CanoeKentucky (pre-registered racers only).-Distillery tours Saturday morning – first one at 10:00 a.m., last one at 2:00 p.m. -Bourbon tasting from 2:00 to 4:00, sponsored by Buffalo Trace Distillery, with live music by local musician DanAtkins and Davey Fallis.

-Saturday night, after the Awards Ceremony, festival goers can head over to the Brick Alley where DJ Jessdog will beplaying your favorites, located downtown. The cover fee will be waived with your NPFF wristband. We’ve got lots offood, including many varieties of chili submitted for the NPFF chili cookoff, and beverages provided by theBluegrass Brewing Company. Don't forget to hang on to your ticket stub: you'll need it for the Door Prize drawingsthat will be going on throughout the Festival. Join us in supporting American Whitewater, and stop by the AW table andrenew your membership!

Now, sit back and enjoy "The Best in Whitewater Paddlesports Film and Images"!

Brandon Jett, Director, NPFF 2011

Schedule of Events for Friday & Saturday is on Pg. 17

New website URLhttp://www.bluegrasswildwater.org

sound and ideas trump all else. We wanted to communicate the essence of the thing - wildplaces and whitewater - and put its soul on film. Anson Fogel

9:45 Break/Silent Auction ends

10:15 Awards Ceremony END Of NPFF. See you next Year!

11:00 After Party is at the Brick Alley with DJ Jessdogg located downtown. Free entry to NPFF wristband wearers.

Please Be Safe!

If you find you have partied like you were in the camp next to your tent, let us know and wewill help you find transportation to your sleeping Bag!

Here are phone numbers to TaxisBluegrass Taxi - (502) 803-1140

Frankfort Taxi Services - (502) 223-3311

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The NPFF Road ShowA great way for your organization to earn

money for river conservation or causes!The National Paddling Film Festival Road Show has been developedto expand the NPFF's outreach to the public. Do you want toshare this exciting event with the paddlers back home? Then getinvolved with an NPFF Road Show and the best of this innovativefestival can come to you!

By holding a National Paddling Film Festival Roadshow yourgroup can enjoy quality paddlesport films while painlesslyfundraising for your own local projects as well as helping us fur-ther our efforts with American Whitewater and other conservationand access charities.

Here is how it works:

A paddling club, conservation organization, university, philanthropist,or commercial outdoor enterprise donates $200 to the NPFF inexchange for 5 hours, which is 300 minutes of paddlesport, (mostlywhitewater) video. We provide the entertainment and you do the rest.Sounds simple, it is simple. All we ask in return is for a contract, creditcard deposit, a little advertising, and that you be a goodorganization/person doing good things.

The videos come from the NPFF’s extensive paddlesport librarycovering amateur and professional entries from 25 years of festivals.Most of our films are on DVD.

Don’t need five hours of video? We will package up 2 hour mini-showsfor $100 plus overnight shipping. We also offer a sliding fee option forspecial needs organizations. We would like to send a big thanks to all videographers and video artists who have gra-ciously allowed the NPFF to showcase and market their films for waterway conservation

The NPFF Roadshow is a winning situation for all involved: More paddlers will have the opportunity to view the latestand best in paddlesport images. Clubs and organizations can generate local conservation effort funds from the NPFFRoadshow, or add a video show to an existing, established event. Video artists have an opportunity to expose and mar-ket their work to targeted audiences. The NPFF can continue contributing money to waterway conservation effortsbeyond the festival.

The Roadshow has been seen in several dozen cities in over 18 states, Canada and Europe. Thousands of dollars havebeen raised for local organizations and the programs they support. So, go find an independent theater, college/universi-ty, or any other film friendly event,

For more Film Festival Road Show news or information visit www.npff.org

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Schedule of Events for Friday & Saturday is on Pg. 17

Please.....Remember the Generous Support of Our Sponsors

Mountain BuzzNantahala Outdoor Center

NookieNRS

Ottawa Kayak SchoolPatagonia

Phillip Gall’sRiver City Canoe & Kayak

Shred ReadySkirtworks

Smith OpticsSnap Dragon Designs

Suncloud OpticsTeamscum

TevaWalden’s Ridge Whitewater

WatershedWerner

WoodsongsWRSI

28 Years of Promoting Paddling Films & Images

While Supporting River Causes

The 28th National The 28th National Paddling Film FestivalPaddling Film Festival

with Guest Host Doug with Guest Host Doug AmmonsAmmons2010 Still Image Competition Winner “Commitment” by Chris Bell

Ace Funyaks American Whitewater

AstralBikram Yoga Lexington

Bluegrass Brewing CompanyBoatertalk

Canoe KentuckyChaco

Columbia SportswearFifth/Third Bank

Immersion ResearchJackson KayakKayak Sessions

KeenKentucky Waterways Alliance

KokatatLevel Six

LiquidlogicMadawaska Kanu Centre

Menasha Ridge Press