Want to get your paddling juices flowing like a river? Head to the National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF), February 19-20, in Frankfort, Kentucky, for a celebration of the best in paddling footie and a chance to party with the world over. And you can help raise money for river conservation and access in the popcorn-eating process….
For 34 years NPFF has hosted a competition to determine the best in paddlesport videos and images. The event also supports American Whitewater and river stewardship.
Highlight films this year include Our Local Epic – The Dramatic History of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone, a newly released movie tracing the river’s history from the flight of the Nez Perce to the adventures of modern day kayakers, leading to its conservation as Wyoming’s first Wild & Scenic River.
Featured speakers this year include Lonnie Bidwell, the blind paddler who tackled the Grand Canyon, the Upper Gauley and this past year, the Zambezi; as well as longtime paddling superstars Steve Fisher and Pat Keller. The event will be held at the Buffalo Trace Distillery.
“It’s an awesome event, for a great cause,” says Bluegrass Wildwater Association member Zina Merkin. “It’s one of the best paddling get-togethers on the year.”
Info: www.npff.org
Last year’s winners
For a taste of what’s in store, peruse the below list of last year’s winners:
Best Professional Documentary (tie)
The Coast by Skip Armstrong
The Chelan Gorge – 2014 by Daniel Patrinellis
Best Professional Safety/Instruction (tie)
Top 10 Tips for Canoeing & Kayaking Safely by American Canoe Association
Top 10 Tips for Stand Up Paddleboarding Safely by American Canoe Association
Best Professional General Boating
DamNation by Ben Knight and Travis Rummel
Best Accomplished Documentary
Paddler’s Pilgrimage by James Roberts
Best Accomplished General Boating
Secesh/South Fork Salmon Idaho by Shawn Lono
Best Amateur General Boating
Wildcat Creek by Bradley E. Huie
Best Amateur Documentary
Paillalco: The Story of the Puesco River Valley by Kalob Grady
Best Still Image
Colorado Boof by Samantha Ruppelt
William Nealy Award
Don Spangler
Chili King: Austin Wilson