For whitewater dory lovers, there’s no better place than Idaho. The state’s miles of wild, free-flowing rivers are home to the country’s deepest gorges and some of the best big water rapids. In 1972, renowned conservationist and Grand Canyon Dories founder Martin Litton asked Curt Chang if he’d like to take some boats and a crew to Hells Canyon. After an initial scouting trip, Curt started up the Idaho operation. Since then, Curt has fostered a community of guides who care deeply about rivers, running good trips and the legacy of dories.

Director: Logan Bockrath

Step into the workshop of Andrey Yakovlev—Ukraine’s only master wood-and-canvas canoe builder. Viewers will be awed by his beautiful craftsmanship in this energetic and thoughtful film profiling a noteworthy canoe crusader. Sand Or Dieshows that canoe culture stretches far and has a large fan base from different generations worldwide.

Director: Hlib Stoiko 

Mike Freed took the trail name Loon in honor of the spirit of the lakes of the north. He’s carried that name with him through thousands of trail miles. In his later years, Freed returned to his home in northern Minnesota, where he has cared for 2,000 acres of land in the state’s wilderness lake country. A revelation on the Appalachian Trail gave him clarity on what he should do with his land and set in motion the steps needed to preserve his wilderness properties and his legacy.

Directors: Jason Whalen, Chris Zuker

This is the story of a 90-year-old Balinese fisherman, Wayan, who can no longer fish because of the vast amount of plastic pollution in the ocean. Wayan instead uses his fishing boat and net to collect trash from the ocean in hopes of one day being able to fish again. The story is a glimpse into how one human uses his resources to make a difference and a reminder that if we all play our part, we can accomplish something much greater than ourselves.

Director: Dana Frankoff
Producer: Dana Frankoff, Eric Ebner  

A slow natural water cycle occurs on Georgian Bay, a 30-year tide of sorts. With water nearing its highest point in recent memory, renowned artist John Hartman heads out daily in his canoe to the back bays now flooded and teeming with life. He has lived in this landscape his entire life, and it has shaped the way he views the world and the role of humans in a changing world.

Director & Producer: David Hartmanv

Dreaming of warmer days, Fort McMurray filmmaker Willi Whiston goes on a journey to beat the winter blues by handcrafting a canoe paddle for the first time.

Director: William Whiston
Producer: Genoveve Zepeda & Matthew Lorenz