tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23327837374355850652024-03-13T08:00:45.594-07:00Pacific HorizonsBryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-60911062623584889542008-05-11T13:42:00.000-07:002008-05-11T14:18:32.900-07:00New Reel Water Website Launches!April brought some exciting news for Pacific Horizons and some new developments for the next film we are working on...<a href="http://reelwaterproductions.com/eastern-horizons">Eastern Horizons</a>. Here are the updates...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pacific Horizons:</span><br />I just got home from the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival in Charleston, SC where I presented Pacific Horizons to an energetic audience on the Friday night of the festival. It was a lot of fun! Most of the shows I have done to date have been on the west coast and I think us west coasters are a little numb to how beautiful of a place we live in! Many of the wildlife and clear water shots had a bigger impact on the audience out east than at home. I received great news as well last week that Pacific Horizons won "Best Adventure Film" in the Waterwalker Film Festival and made the Telluride Mountain Film Festival road tour. I'm glad everyone is enjoying it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reel Water Website:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>I'm pleased to announce that we have launched a new website...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.reelwaterproductions.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">www.reelwaterproductions.com</span></a><br /></span><br />This will be the source of all future information of what we are up to. You will see that there are a few blogs to check out. Pacific Horizons is still going to exist in it's current state as well as the be available from the Reel Water website. Take a minute and check things out. We will keep adding and building the site over the next couple months! Huge thanks to Derrick Mayoleth at <a href="http://www.kayakquixotica.com/">Kayak Quixotica</a> for helping me build and design this site. I'm really happy with how it came out and I'm excited to keep adding to it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eastern Horizons:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Lise-Anne and I have been busy working on planning the next film most of the winter. We will be leaving May 15th for Newfoundland, which will kick off 2 plus months of filming on the East Coast. Our goal is to comprehensively document the different geographic regions of the east coast from Florida to Labrador. We will be making a few seperate trips to the east during 2008 and you can follow the filming of Eastern Horizons <a href="http://reelwaterproductions.com/eastern-horizons">HERE</a>!Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-32597554316341516712008-03-07T08:42:00.000-08:002008-03-07T09:51:45.727-08:00Pacific Horizons Wins "Best Sea Kayaking Film" in 2008 Reel Paddling Film FestivalSpring is now fast approaching and Pacific Horizons continues to keep inspiring both paddlers and film festival judges! The <a href="http://www.rapidmedia.com/filmfest/">Reel Paddling Film Festival</a> choose Pacific Horizons as the "best sea kayaking film" this year. That means the film festival cut, which includes Dubside and the big wave tidal race surfing at Skooks and Okisollo, will be traveling around the world through 2008 as a key film in their world tour festival. We are also pleased to announce that Pacific Horizons was a finalist at <a href="http://www.vimff.org/">Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival</a> and the other film film we entered in VIMFF, <a href="http://www.therangelife.com/2007/12/49-megawatts-dvd.html">49 Megawatts</a>, won "best environmental film"! The Dubside segment of Pacific Horizons has been very popular with the ocean film festivals, seeing air time at both the <a href="http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/">San Francisco Ocean Film Festival</a> and the <a href="http://www.alaskaoceansfestival.org/">Alaska Oce</a><a href="http://www.alaskaoceansfestival.org/">an Film Festival</a>. And while the festivals are helping us get the word out on the film, we will also be live in the flesh at <a href="http://www.canoecopia.com/">Canoecopia</a> March 7-9 in Madison, WI and at the <a href="http://www.ccprc.com/ecckf">East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival</a> April 18-20 in Charleston, SC sharing stories and chapters from Pacific Horizons.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_lSmMMhg1B90/R9F-xRw9hgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/pKEHWJlgkxU/s1600-h/howesound.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 449px; height: 298px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_lSmMMhg1B90/R9F-xRw9hgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/pKEHWJlgkxU/s400/howesound.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175056831872861698" border="0" /></a><br />Lise-Anne and I have been out winter paddling here in Squamish some and we are gearing up for the next film which will focus on the East Coast of North America! Hope everyone is gearing up for another great year of paddling!<br /><br />This shot is of some granite cliffs just beyond the mouth of the mouth of the Squamish River and minutes from our house.Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-53464312065122520022008-01-24T14:15:00.000-08:002008-02-02T00:03:26.017-08:00The Grand Finale!After a very successful trip down to California, I was really excited about the coming home to Squamish and doing the final premiere for the winter. While not a "sea kayaking crowd" per say, Squamish is home to adventures of all sorts and most importantly some of my best friends. I had been thinking for some time that it would be really fun to do a combined show with<a href=" http://www.currentswell.com "target="_blank">CURRENT SWELL</a>. These guys are incredible musicians and put on a great live show. Everything started to line up when they agreed to come to Squamish on January 12th and we lined up Squamish's best venue...The Howe Sound Brew Pub.<br /><br />Introducing Pacific Horizons to a full house at the Brew Pub!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/introduction.jpg"/><br />photo by Justine Curgenven<br /><br />The place was packed...the manager informed us we hit capacity of 125 about 15 minutes before the show and that they could not let anyone else in!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/packedhouse.jpg"/><br />photo by Justine Curgenven<br /><br />This was a super special night for Lise-Anne and I. Not only did all our local friends rally out, but several friends even came from far away including Justine, Shawna, and Leon. Plus we had a killer live band to rock out to after the film. Thanks to everyone who made it out!<br /><br />Shawna, Leon, Lise-Anne, and I getting down to Current Swell<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/dancing.jpg"/><br />photo by Justine Curgenven<br /><br />These guys are getting big and 2008 will be their year! Thanks Current Swell...you guys blew Squamish away.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/currentswell1.jpg"/><br />Photo by Nick Sopczak <a href=" http://www.rawspectra.ca "target="_blank">RAW SPECTRA PHOTOGRAPHY</a> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/currentswell2.jpg"/><br />Photo by Nick Sopczak <a href=" http://www.rawspectra.ca "target="_blank">RAW SPECTRA PHOTOGRAPHY</a><br /><br />From right to left...<br />Chris Petersen - Drums<br />Davers Lang - Rhythm Guitar/Harmonica/Vocals<br />Scott Stanton - Lead Guitar/Lap Slide/Vocals<br />Louie Sadava - Bass/Vocals<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/currentswell3.jpg"/><br /><br />Lise-Anne put some serious time in calling friends, family, and rallying Squamish. I love this beautiful woman!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/bryandla.jpg"/><br /><br />I hope everyone is enjoying their Pacifc Horizons DVD's. We have some more shows coming in the Spring and we are busy gearing up for our next film.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/currentswell"><img src=" http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j169/SimonBS/currentswell3.gif" alt="BE OUR FRIEND!"></a>Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-12239101753664696212007-12-09T21:51:00.000-08:002007-12-11T10:23:51.115-08:00The Feedback is Pouring In and We are Off to California!I'm just getting home now from the launch of the DVD here in the Pacific Northwest and already packing my bags to head down to California for a few premieres in Sacremento and the Bay Area. The Northwest tour began with the show at the <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=72&id=168 "target="_blank">MISSION THEATRE</a> in downtown Portland. Thanks to the tremendous publicity efforts by <a href=" http://www.aldercreek.com "target="_blank">ALDER CREEK</a> we managed to sell out the vintage theatre with 304 people. I even had to deal with 20-30 people who were not allowed in because we had reached maximum capacity 15 minutes before the film was due to start! Portland was followed by standing room only events at <a href=" http://www.seattleraftsandkayak "target="_blank">SRK</a>, Orcas Island, and <a href=" http://www.ecomarine.com "target="_blank">ECOMARINE</a> We had a great time and a big thanks goes out to all the hosts and sponsors of these events. It became clear by the end of the tour that Paul Kuthe's impressive big wave surfing gets the crowd going every night!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/paul9.jpg"/><br /> photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />As the premiere tour was kicking off in Portland, DVD's were moving through the postal system in search of eager kayakers all around the world. It has been awesome to come home to some many great comments in the Inbox. Here are a few...<br /><br /><i>The interesting thing about PH is it’s enjoyably mellow, west coast feel. You’ll want to put your feet up and enjoy a nice latte or maybe a choice micro-brew when you watch this one. You get the impression you could easily hang out with anyone on the DVD without feeling like you would’nt be welcomed. In some ways this is the best part of a DVD like this. Pacific Horizons invites the viewer to join in on some fun adventures with folks that quickly feel like friends. A pleasant break from the testosterone driven ego fests that are often part of many sports videos. Even with the rockin aspects of long boat surfing, sea kayaking as always takes on a unique, natural feel. Pacific Horizons is not only suitable and inspirational for any skill level paddler, but will also be enjoyable for the rest of the family as well.</i><br /><br />-from <a href="http://www.kayakquixotica.com/category/about-products-gear/dvds/ "target="_blank">DERRICK MAYOLETH'S REVIEW</a> on <a href="http://www.kayakquixotica.com "target="_blank">KAYAK QUIXOTICA</a><br /><br /><i>First, let me say that your movie is outstanding! I'm a middle-aged east coast paddler, but the DVD makes me want to load up my kayak and head to the Northwest. You and your crew certainly captured the true essence of sea kayaking with wonderful videography and over-the-top locations. Many thanks for doing it right. </i><br /><br />-from Robert Buford of the <a href="http://www.cpakayaker.com "target="_blank">CHESAPEAKE PADDLERS ASSOCIATION</a><br /><br /><i>Bravo! Very well done. The shots were magnificent, the musical score was great (even for us AARP card-carrying paddlers), and the paddlers are awesome. </i><br /><br />-from Linc Clay in Tallahasse, Flordia<br /><br />So off to California for three more shows....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.penguinpaddlers.com "target="_blank">PENGUIN PADDLERS REDDING</a><br />Thursday December 13th 7 PM<br />3530 Railroad Ave<br />Redding, CA<br />(530) 244-3355<br /><br /><a href="http://www.penguinpaddlers.com "target="_blank">PENGUIN PADDLERS ROCKLIN</a><br />Saturday December 15th 7 PM<br />4381 Granite Drive<br />Rocklin, CA<br />(916) 624-7722<br /><br /><a href="http://www.calkayak.com/ "target="_blank">CALIFORNIA CANOE AND KAYAK</a><br />Monday December 17th 6:30<br />Oakland Retail Shop <br />409 Water Street<br />Jack London Square<br />Oakland, CA <br />(510) 893-7833Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-14653212074746194122007-11-16T11:14:00.000-08:002007-11-16T11:44:22.733-08:00Pacific Horizons Premiere in Montreal, QuebecJust as Lise-Anne and I hit the road for the Northwest DVD release and premiere tour, there will be a screening of Pacific Horizons in LA's hometown of Montreal on November 28th. <a href="http://www.soireesaventures.com">CLICK HERE for more details, as space will be limited. Charles will have copies of the DVD on hand for sale!</a>Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-31196173224302671402007-10-30T16:52:00.000-07:002007-10-31T17:29:10.653-07:00DVD RELEASE AND FALL PREMIERE TOURPacific Horizons has been completed and everyone's first peak at the DVD is just a few weeks away. 60 minutes of stunning images and great sea kayaking, plus a bunch of extras including a purely surfing segment, director's cut, and Justine Curgenven's teaser from her trip around <a href=" http://www.cackletv.com/2007/08/30-days-500-miles-back-in-queen.html "target="_blank">Haida Gwaii</a> with Shawna and Leon of <a href=" http://www.bodyboatblade.com "target="_blank">BBB.</a> I think eveyone is going to enjoy it and I'm sure it will inspire many! Here is what the cover looks like....the DVD label will be a suprise.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/coverimage.jpg"/> <br /><br />We have also locked in the dates for the northwest premiere tour. These events are going to be a lot of fun and an opportunity for those of you local to get out and get the very first DVD's available. We'll have some swag to give away and are looking forward to getting everyone out talking kayaking! <br /><br />The West Coast Premiere/Portland<br />Hosted by <a href="http://www.aldercreek.com/Sales_&_Promotions/Pacific_Horizons_Film_Premier!!!!!!-e633-m11-y2007.html"target="_blank">ALDER CREEK CANOE AND KAYAK</a> <br />Thursday November 29th 7:30PM<br /><a href=" http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=72&id=168 "target="_blank">Mission Theatre</a><br />1624 NW Glissan<br />Portland, OR<br />Free Entry!<br /><br />Seattle Premiere<br />Hosted by <a href="http://www.seattleraftandkayak.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=228 "target="_blank">SEATTLE RAFT AND KAYAK</a><br />Friday November 30th 7:30PM<br />Seattle Raft and Kayak<br />7777 62nd Ave NE Building 11<br />Seattle, WA<br />Free Entry!<br /><br />Vancouver Premiere<br />Hosted by <a href="http://www.ecomarine.com/locations/index.html "target="_blank">ECOMARINE</a> <br />Tuesday December 4th 7:30PM<br />Ecomarine<br />Granville Island<br />Vancouver, BC<br />Free Entry!<br /><br />We will also be doing a showing in Olympia, on Orcas Island, and Bellingham. Those dates will be posted shortly.Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-78054699757978284582007-10-10T11:48:00.000-07:002007-10-15T11:38:12.045-07:00We are going to Banff!I just received the notice that Pacific Horizons was chosen as a finalist for the <a href="http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/festivals/2007/film/ "target="_blank">2007 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL</a>! Lise-Anne and I will be travelling to Alberta to present the film on the big screen Saturday November 3 and then it will play again in a smaller theater on Nov 4th. Banff is considered one of the most prestigious adventure film festivals in the world and has been a dream of mine for the past couple years. Needless to say we are excited to be a part of this years event and also have a shot at making the <a href="http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/tour/ "target="_blank">2007 BANFF WORLD TOUR</a>! This will kick off a series of premieres on the west coast and the release of the DVD. We will be posting information on the November release of the DVD and when and where it will be available here soon, as well as a complete list of West coast premiere dates.Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-12964291900886172072007-09-14T09:51:00.000-07:002007-10-28T00:08:38.037-07:00Editing Away!Well after arriving home safely from Peru, I have been working hard on editing Pacific Horizons every day. Well except a few days spent kayaking <a href="http://www.therangelife.com "target="_blank">Tatlow Creek</a> and a weekend with Lise-Anne and 13 others on the Clendenning River! Hardest part of working for yourself in the kayaking industry is not getting too distracted by going kayaking. Really though...we are moving full steam ahead on Pacifc Horizons and it is looking great. Here are some of the technical details of where things are at and what you can expect over the next couple months...<br /><br />1. On September 15th we will be showing the world the first glimpse of Pacific Horizons at <a href="http://www.wcsks.org/ "target="_blank">West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium</a> The film festival edit is complete and that is what will be showing at Port Townsend.<br /><br />2. The complete DVD will be available November 15th online and at your local retail store. We will have a complete list of retailers and distributors up on the site here soon.<br /><br />3. We are just starting to put togther a West Coast film tour that will stretch from BC to California in November. If you are a retailer intersted in hosting a showing of the video and we have not contacted you, please contact us!<br /><br />Stay tuned for more details!Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-65111346762738248402007-06-29T15:54:00.000-07:002007-06-29T17:08:04.851-07:00Vancouver Island ParadiseI wanted to make sure I got something up on the blog before I left for Peru, so I figured I'd share a few pictures from the Bunsby Islands. For those of you who don't know...I'm leaving on a expedition to paddle the <a href=" http://huallaga.irvacationtohell.com "target="_blank">RIO HUALLAGA</a> in Peru on July 10th. I'll come home from that trip and finish shooting and editing Pacific Horizons. <br /><br />Back in May I got togther with the crew from <a href=" http://www.bodyboatblade.com "target="_blank">BBB</a> and headed out to the west coast of Vancouver Island. Shawna, Leon, Matt, and Djuna picked me up in Horshoe Bay and we rallied many hours on winding dirt roads, crammed into the BBB head executive vehicle, eventually arriving at Fair Harbor. Plan was to spend 6-7 days on the water, explore the Bunsby Islands, maybe head to the Brooks Peninsula, and play in the swell of the Pacific Ocean. I had been looking forward to the trip for some time, as it had been a couple years since Shawna, Leon, and I had been out on a real multi-day adventure and the first time I had done a coastal trip with Matt and Djuna. Like the week we did the tidal race tour, it felt good to go into the trip seeing a giant high pressure system engulfing the North island. May was a beauty here in the Northwest and we soaked it up on this trip.<br /><br />The team less Shawna in Fair Harbor. We put on at about 6PM with a pretty big push to the first campsite.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/teamfairharbor.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />The second day we pushed to get into the Bunsby Islands. The scenery was amazing and it was clear no one else was around. Pretty quiet this time of year.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/bryanfilmingbunsby.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />A nice little play spot we found on our way to get drinking water!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/djunabigswell.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />Big part of coming to the Bunsby's was to have really good camping and lots of short day trips to play in swell. Here Djuna and Shawna are settling into the evening hours with some yoga.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/dsyoga.jpg"/><br />photo by Matt Nelson<br /><br />The tidepools around this campsite were incredible.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/tidepool.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />Ont the 3rd Day we got into some pretty solid wind and swell on the outside of the Bunsby's<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/windandswell.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />Even though I was filming most of the time, I managed to do a bit of rock gardening.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/bryangap.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />Leon has just come through the same gap as the shot of me above. Timing is everything when rock gardening.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/leondrygap.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />Working for the shot. I was shooting from above to capture the clear water.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/bryanfilmingfromrock.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />The water was crystal clear. <br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/clearwater.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />Matt and Leon playing in the swell off the campite we had in the outer islands<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/leonmattswell.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />We had 5 days of sun by the time this shot was taken. Very rare on the West coast of Vancouver Island in May.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/leondjunaglass.jpg"/><br />photo by Shawna Franklin<br /><br />I think people will really enjoy this part of the film. We captured some of the better rock gardening footage I have seen to date and saw tons of wildlife. Lots of big black bears, sea otters, and eagles. Hope everyone has an amazing July of kayaking!Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-54578505575600408762007-06-20T18:27:00.000-07:002007-06-20T19:20:44.858-07:00Subscribing to this Site.When I put the site up it appears that I did not get the correct code pasted into the blog for subscriptions. So anyone who subscribed to this site early on is most likely recieving "The Range Life" updates form the whitewater site that I contribute to. I appologize. Either way if you are interested in recieving emails when I have posted something new, glance over the the right and type in your email. I will be getting a post up soon about the trip to the Bunsby's. Ralph, Lannie, and Albert over at Coast Mountain Expeditions sent these shots along from the trip to Quadra. Some really cool ones that I thought I'd share...<br /><br />I think the reflection of the boat in the water of this shot is really cool. <br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/capellareflection.jpg"/><br />photo by Albert Keller<br /><br />Dave White...intersting position to be in.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/daveinpile.jpg"/><br />photo by Albert Keller<br /><br />There is a pretty good sized whirlpool forming just downstream in this shot.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/bryanwhirlpool.jpg"/><br />photo by Albert Keller<br /><br />Love the late evening light on sea kayaking trips.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/bryanlaunching.jpg"/><br />photo by Albert KellerBryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-81651646106642503802007-06-12T09:57:00.001-07:002007-06-20T18:26:15.027-07:00The Official Trailer is Here!Just thought I would put a post up in regards to the trailer that I have posted. I hope everyone has been able to view it ok and that load times have not been too bad. I have posted a link in the sidebar as well. If for any reason you are having difficulty uploading it is probably because you need to download the latest version of quicktime. A really slow connection speed could also cause some trouble. Enjoy and let me know if you are having any troubles viewing!Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-58677359366322789512007-06-08T12:15:00.000-07:002007-06-11T14:11:17.481-07:00Paddling with the Orca WhalesAfter we finished up the week of tidal race paddling, Lise-Anne and I headed straight for the San Juan Islands. It was a two-folded mission. First and most importantly we went to Orcas Island for Matt and Djuna'a wedding. So great to see these two spirits united and living such an amazing life on Orcas. They are now part of the team at <a href=" http://www.bodyboatblade.com "target="_blank">Body Boat Blade</a> and will be featured in the Bunsby Island segment of the film.<br /><br />The second part of the mission was taking the inter-island ferry over to San Juan Island to paddle the west side in hopes of seeing some killer whales. We met up with our friends Pat and Dan from Mt. Vernon and Chris and Hillary from Bellingham. After a relaxing morning we put on the water, paddled out of Smallpox Bay and instantly encountered J-Pod heading North. The timing was incredible. We literally took 30 or 40 paddle strokes and we were seeing dorsal fins coming right at us.<br /><br />Chris, Hillary, and me scanning the horizon line<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/chrishillary.jpg"/><br />photo by Dan Moose<br /><br />J-Pod consists of about 24 whales and is the most commonly seen pod of whales in the San Juan Islands. The <a href=" http://www.whaleresearch.com "target="_blank">Center for Whale Research</a> run by Ken Balcomb and his son Kelly Balcomb-Bartok has been studying these whales through photo identification for over 25 years. <br /><br />One of the J-pod adult females just off the bow!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/whaleshot.jpg"/><br />photo by Dan Moose<br /><br />Filming the whales.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/bryanfilming.jpg"/><br />photo by Dan Moose<br /><br />After a night in the rain, the weather cleared up fro an amazing paddle on Sunday. I got a chance to catch up with Kelly Balcomb-Bartok at <a href=" http://www.whaleresearch.com "target="_blank">Center for Whale Research</a> for an interview and then we hit the water. The whales were rumored to be South at Eagle Point so we paddled South. No sightings, but we had a spectacular day on the water.<br /><br />Lise-Anne and I paddling a double. Filming from the front of the double has provided some great angles for the film.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/bryandla.jpg"/><br />photo by Dan Moose<br /><br />The team!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/groupshot.jpg"/><br />photo by Dan Moose<br /><br />This is going to be a great segment in the film with a bunch of kayaking but also a lot of history and information on the killer whales. San Juan Island has become such a popular destination to come paddle with the whales, but there is a lot to know about these amazing mammals and their fragile state.Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-36833876432586785882007-05-31T17:26:00.000-07:002007-06-01T14:08:42.667-07:00The Tidal Race TourFor the last 6 months I had been planning a filming trip to some of British Columbia's biggest tidal races with a crew of young, up and coming sea paddlers out of Portland, Oregon. I was setting my goals really high for this trip. Aiming to produce some of the most impressive sea kayaking footage ever seen before with a unique blend of cameras and venues. When May 13th arrived and all 7 of us were converging on Skookumchuck Narrows as a starting point, I could not have been any more stoked to see a giant high pressure system engulfing the Pacific Northwest. Everything was coming together. The team of Oregonians had mad it across the border safely, Lise-Anne and Steve Rogers joined the trip for additional camera support, the current speeds were growing all week, and the weather forecast pointed to sun, sun, and more sun. These sort of trips take a lot of work to put together, but all the effort paid off. The photos and film we came away with are truly some of the most stunning images I have seen. I'm going to let some of the pictures tell the story for now and hopefully it will have everyone salivating for this segment in the film!<br /><br />The ferry in Howe Sound heading for the Sunshine Coast just North of Vancouver, BC.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/sunsetsound.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />The team less Lise-Anne and Steve. From right to left...Bryan Smith, Nick Jacob, Paul Kuthe, Richard Davis, and Dave White.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/theteam.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Nick Jacob taking in the scenery.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/throughtrees.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Nick Jacob sliding onto the glassy wave at Skooks.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/nick2.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Dave White carving it up on the top wave at Skooks.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/dwslomo.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Lise-Anne Beyries taking to the long boat quite well. My wife, soul mate, and ultimate partner. This film would not happen without her help and support!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/la.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />The newest member of our family and water tribe. Chuya...finding some space in my pile of gear.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/chewy.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Lise-Anne and I getting the young guns of Portland to share their story.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/bryanoncamera.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Setting up the boat mount camera system<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/fixcameramount.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br /><br />Paul Kuthe was absolutely ripping it up at Skooks...here he is getting his carve on.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/paul4.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />He also was not afraid to drop into the froth on Day 2 when the wave got quite a bit bigger.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/paul1.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Nick was not too shy at Skooks either...I was glad to be the guy filming this time!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/pitsurf.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />So fun to be paddling with sea paddlers who have this much skill. A clear example of how talented an in control these guys were on the wave. We went for 4, but I think 3 was the most we got onto the top wave at Skookumchuck.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/3way.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Special thanks to Laurie and Tom at <a href=" http://www.hightidetours.com "target="_blank">High Tide Water Taxi</a> for giving us just enough boat time to capture some incredible new angles at Skookumchuck.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/tom.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />From Skooks we headed North to Quadra Island via three ferries. The first in the series at 6:30am.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/ferry.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Lise-Anne and Paul checking out the water off Quadra...don't think I have ever seen water this clear before.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/surge1.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />The inter tidal life was mind blowing. With so many tidal races around Quadra all the critters are very well fed.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/starfish.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />The seaweed was glowing.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/seaweed.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />The plush set-up at <a href=" http://www.discovery-islands-lodge.com "target="_blank">Discovery Islands Lodge</a> that we based out of for 4 days.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/nightjetty.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Richard Davis carving it up on one of the best waves I have ever seen for a sea kayak. Just a random wave below one of the bigger races.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/richard1.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Nick Jacob on that same wave. It started as a perfect glassy wave with shoulders on both sides and eventually got steep with a solid foam pile.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/nick1.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Paul Kuthe sliding of the right side of it once the current speed was getting close to 10 knots<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/paul6.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Paul just about to get engulfed by the break.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/paul9.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />The weather was still absolutely stunning 5 days into the trip.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/clouds.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />The guys waiting for the big wave of the trip to settle down to a manageable level.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/lookatwave.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />While I would not quite consider this a friendly level, the young guns showed me how it was done. Paul Kuthe dropping into a huge wave.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/paulbeatdown.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Dave White carving out of the pile.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/dw8.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Nick Jacob starting to feel the wave in it's ultimate zone<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/nick3.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />I was lucky enough to talk Lise-Anne into running video for a few surfs on quite possibly the best wave I have ever surfed in a long boat.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/bryan3.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />Soooooooo smooth and fast...paradise.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/bryan4.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />On the final day Ralph from Discovery Islands Lodge helped us with a bit of filming and then offered to take a few of us back. Lise-Anne, Steve and I took the ride home, while the young guns paddles two hours back to the lodge. <br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/TidalRaceTour/boat.jpg"/><br />photo by Steve Rogers<br /><br />This trip was everything I could have ever imagined. These pictures are just the beginning. The film will showcase all the paddlers, venues, and adventure.Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-53109081360813297332007-05-12T11:31:00.001-07:002007-05-12T12:09:19.038-07:00Kierron and Jeff Push off for Vancouver Island!The month of May has been packed full of filming trips. The weather has been incredible and I'm starting to rack up mini DV after mini DV of amazing footage for the film. The latest mission was to spend a couple days with Kierron Tastagh and Jeff Norville as they got ready to push off for their attempt at circumnavigating Vancouver Island in two weeks. Lise-Anne and I travelled down to Orcas Island to meet up with them and capture the pre-trip preparations. Two days before the trip started, I discovered that Kierron and Jeff had never met or even talked on the phone. The entire trip had been sorted via email. I was fortunate to capture their first meeting. It is going to provide some great humor in the film .<br /><br />Kierron and Jeff meet for the first time outside Body Boat Blade.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/kierronandjeffmeet.jpg"/><br />photo by Lise-Anne Beyries<br /><br />It is hard not to laugh and have fun when filming Keirron. This is the chart and compass combo he intends to use to get them around Vancouver Island!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/kierroncompass.jpg"/><br />photo by Lise-Anne Beyries<br /><br />The pink NDK Triton they will be paddling over 50 miles a day in.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/closeupboat.jpg"/><br />photo by Lise-Anne Beyries<br /><br />The usual chaos of packing for one of these expeditions started just after the two met. I was impressed by how they well they hit it off, the speed at which they sorted the gear, and the focus at getting the trip on the water. They met at 7:30pm on Wednesday night and were pushing off by 11:00am the next day.<br /><br />Getting a quick interview in with Jeff before the launch at North Beach.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/interviewingjeff.jpg"/><br />photo by Lise-Anne Beryies<br /><br />Just about ready to launch!<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/filmingatNB.jpg"/><br />photo by Lise-Anne Beyries<br /><br />Right off the bat setting a good cadence and working together.<br /><img src="http://www.downstreammedia.net/TheRangeLife/PacificHorizons/launching.jpg"/><br />photo by Lise-Anne Beyries<br /><br />You can check out the complete details of their trip here...<br /><a href=" http://www.PINKKAYAK.ORG "target="_blank">VANCOUVER ISLAND RECORD ATTEMPT</a><br /><br />They have an on board camera that will providing a lot of day to day footage. My plan is to meet them again when they finish the trip and check in with phone interviews along the way. <br /><br />We leave today for 10 days of filming in the tidal races of the inside passage! The next post should have some exciting new shots.Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332783737435585065.post-34950721092471157372007-04-23T18:21:00.000-07:002007-04-23T18:24:07.832-07:00Getting Ready for a Bunch of FilmingI have just now found the time to get a blog up and running for the film. The Spring is upon us here in the Northwest and my schedule is jam packed with sea kayaking trips for the film. I will be making some tweaks to the site over the course of the next couple months and there will be a lot more media coming. I anticipate that my official trailer will be out by the first of June and I intend to keep the site lively with photos of all the different filming missions. Stay Tuned!Bryan Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12224511473765962245noreply@blogger.com0