I am Paddle to the Sea - Please put me back in the water
In this day of digital content where a days paddle can be online to share within hours or even minutes, it’s easy to forget that great paddling movies were made way before digital video cameras and iPhones existed. I was trawling the web looking for content when I came across this amazing little film made in Canada way back in 1966, before I was even a twinkle in my Daddy’s eye!
The film, based on the book written by Holling C. Holling, tells the story of a carved Indian in a canoe that is set on a frozen mountain stream, which during the spring melt washes into the river system and makes its way through the wilderness and urban Canada and eventually to the sea. It is an amazing film considering it is now over 50 years old, and a film I very much enjoyed watching tonight. It runs for 27 minutes and does chew up a little bandwidth, but if you love the wilderness, adventure and paddling, I think you’ll appreciate this little gem (its great in Full Screen mode).
A big thanks to the National Film Board of Canada for making this classic available online. Cheers – FP
In Canada, every child watches this video in primary school as part of their curriculum. Or at least that was the case 15 years ago.
If you are into canoeing may I also suggest “Water Walker” and “The Path of the Paddle” also by Bill Mason.
Cheers
Chris
FP: That was a treat! I first encountered “Paddle to the Sea” (in printed form) during the 1950s, when I was a kid growing up about 200 yards from Lake Michigan. So the story kind of hit me where I lived, so to speak! Admittedly, the route “Paddle to the Sea” took was through Lake Huron, not Lake Mich., but it was close enough for me. In any case, it was big freshwater.
It was a first for me (not a huge one for us Aussies!), but I absolutely loved it! đŸ™‚
I first saw this film in grade school and was enthralled!!! Now seeing it again after 42 years, I am still enthralled…Thanks Fat Paddler for posting this…was a real treat!!!!
I have been searching for Paddle for 35 years and since have often wonderd and dreamed about him and where he is. Thank you so much for bringing him back, I thought he was lost and gone forever…..(wiping the tears away)
Wow its been around 45 yrs !!!!!
Used to watch this in school in the 60’s. Lived in a small town. Small school. Not a lot of films back then so we saw this at least 3 times in elementary school. It was on a reel, so if we behaved when we watched it, the teacher would let us watch it while she rewound it. Got to see the canoe float quickly back up stream.