Showcasing the trailblazing dory women of Grand Canyon, outfitter OARS and conservation organization American Rivers have released a new film, “About Damn Time,” highlighting the badass women dory rowers of the Grand Canyon.
“Don’t let anybody tell you that you’re too little or that you’re a girl, or you can’t do what you set your life to do,” says veteran OARS Grand Canyon dory guide, Cindell Dale, in the new short film, About Damn Time.
Directed by Dana Romanoff and presented by OARS and American Rivers, the 24-minute film captures the powerful journey of trailblazing boatwomen who navigate the Grand Canyon’s iconic rapids in handcrafted wooden dories and break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
“This film is dedicated to the women who’ve run the rapids before us and those still pushing against the current,” says Romanoff. “It was a man’s world down there, so it was a little intimidating,” according to Dale, who has spent more than 40 seasons working on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. “Women had their place in the world, and it was presented to me that if I wanted to be down in Grand Canyon, I could be a cook.”
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“I had to prove myself,” she continues. “Proving it to myself was easy. Proving it to others was a journey.”
“Being a female in this industry, I think I came in at a really good time,” says OARS Grand Canyon guide, Mary Kruse. “The women that have come before me, whether they knew it or not, are why I’m here.”
The film captures not only the spirit of determination and thrill of whitewater, but also the legacy of advocacy and environmental stewardship passed down through generations of river guides. Originally introduced to Grand Canyon river running in the 1960s on expeditions with a mission to showcase the canyon’s beauty, and to honor natural places threatened or harmed by the hands of man, dories have become symbols of conservation and adventure.
“We as river guides are provided the opportunity to advocate for mother nature and to tell that story,” says Dale. “My biggest fear with the Colorado River is that we have just used her up.”
“There has never been a more important time to care about the Colorado River and other rivers around the country,” says Fay Hartman, Southwest Conservation Director for the national conservation organization American Rivers. “Inspirational women like Cindell Dale are showing a new generation that responsible stewardship of our outdoor places can help us create a better future.”
Following an award-winning premiere at Wild & Scenic Film Festival, About Damn Time’s next stop is No Man’s Land Film Festival, screening on March 8, International Women’s Day. From there, the film will continue its festival run at the DC Environmental Film Festival and beyond.
About OARS: In 1969, OARS became the first exclusively non-motorized rafting outfitter authorized by the National Park Service to run trips on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. Today, OARS caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries worldwide, including one-day and weekend escapes. Each year the company contributes to regional conservation organizations around the globe via voluntary donations and annual fundraising events, and in partnership with their guests, OARS has contributed more than $6 million in donations and fees toward the preservation of the environment and to various conservation initiatives since the company’s inception. For more information on OARS’s eco-friendly adventures email the company at info@oars.com or call 1-800-346-6277.
About American Rivers: American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRivers.org.
