Talkin’ bout the ocean
Posted by derrick on November 30, 2007
If you ask me, the star of Pacific Horizons, the new DVD from Bryan Smith, is Paul Kuthe who is my choice for the Foam Cowboy award, 2007! (if there were such a thing).
Thanks to Bryan for sending me an advance copy of Pacific Horizons and not worrying too much that I’d give it a bad review. LOL! 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.
Before watching Pacific Horizons, I had wondered honestly if it would feel fresh and new considering that there were some of the same faces and places we’d seen in other videos. Happily it is. There is no question that the Pacific Northwest is easily one of the worlds top sea kayaking playgrounds. Filmed in High-def, Pacific Horizons draws us right into the action and immerses us into the beauty of the region. Bryan proves to be a good story teller who finds a unique approach to sea kayaking and the people many of us have come to know. The format of the video is decidedly familiar; Chapter by chapter we are taken on different adventures against a background of seascapes, mountains and music. The old guys among us will be happy to know that Bryan’s musical choices never overwhelm the the story or cause your aging speakers to buzz. If you were thinking you’ve seen it all before, you should be pleasantly surprised.
In addition to footage from the Greenland championships, the section on Dubside gives us a better look into what Dubside calls “Commando Kayaking”. Dubside as many of us know, does not own a car and often uses public transportation to get to his paddling destinations. With his folding kayak in tow, Dubside sets out to find adventure in his own back yard as it were. The idea of Commando kayaking tells us that we don’t need to be jet setters or own a shiny Subaru to enjoy sea kayaking. Dubside reminds us that there is an adventure right in our backyard if we really want to find it.
Of course if you have the Pacific Northwest as your back yard there are endless adventures to be had. Among other stories we are invited to join Shawna Franklin, Leon Somme and friends on a week long trip to the Bunsby Islands which truly displays the beauty of the area. In amongst a pristine landscape filled with Bald Eagles and sea otters, we are drawn into the warm, heartfelt appreciation for nature that Leon and Shawna express so well. There is something almost too picture perfect in watching Shawna on the beach with her watercolors. This is an experience you just want to be part of. Just this section alone I’m sure will be enough to make many of you add the Northwest coast to your short list of paddle destinations.
To add some adrenaline to the mix Bryan put in a great tide race tour as well. Many of us have seen Bryan riding the Skookumchuck Narrows before, but you’ve not seen it quite like this. Bryan was able to get right in there and take some amazing footage. Paddlers of mixed skill levels also added to the excitement. There were moments when I felt driven to get on a plane right that moment and go ride the Skooks, then there were others where I thought, “Well, I may get on the plane, but I may just watch from shore!” Paul Kuthe’s wild ride was enough to give anyone pause. Bryan also introduces us to some other exciting races in the area and in some instances those other races made Skooks look like the kiddie pool. Yikes! Ok, yeah, that P&H looks great screaming down the wave too!
In addition we get to visit some killer whales, kayak windsurf, follow along with Kierron Tastagh and Jeff Norville’s record setting circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, and get a little advance peak into Justine Curgenven’s trip with Shawna & Leon around the Queen Charlotte Islands. We also get to check in with Ginnie Callahan, who I’m pleased to see is doing quite well since her battle with breast cancer. It seems as if nothing can bring this woman down.
Bryan also adds some nice extras including a Director’s Cut which I’ve not watched yet as well as a collage of tidal race paddling which is quite exciting to watch. All in all I’m sure you will enjoy Pacific Horizons. For Bryan to create a Banff Mountain Film Festival finalist in his first go says a lot. The DVD can be ordered on his website here in the states and is available through CackleTV in the UK. Oh, and should I mention Christmas is coming??
Okay, I’ll ask the question. What distinguishes this DVD from Justine’s videos? I know you’re friends with Justine but objectively speaking, how does it compare to TITS 1, 2, and 3?
Just ordered my copy–I’ll enjoy with a micro-brew or an Irish Whisky.
Thanks Derrick!
Earlier today I ordered a copy of the new Sea Kayak Navigation book by Franco Ferrero from Pesda Press. Ordered directly from Pesda in the UK since I couldn’t find it in the US yet–nice write up about it in the current issue of Ocean Paddler, and I have the first edition.
Reads and views for the winter ahead ;))
PH is an absoletly fantastic flick, i thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. the director’s cut and the extra surfing montage are delightful!
what i really enjoyed was the surfing footage at the Skook and Okisollo, for a variety of reasons. the biggest one was that Brian chose to show the multiple capsizes, recoveries, and most importantly the consequences of paddling in dynamic environments. Justine did this a little in TITS3, but I find Brian did a much better job in this respect. it was and will become a great learning and teaching aid! i’ll be incorporating some of the video from this in my moving water classes for sure.
the tripping segment with Matt, Djuna, Shawna and Leon was also fantastic. i really got the feel for expedition life through this segment, with again some nice camera work from different perspectives.
all in all, i think this DVD sets a standard of it’s own in this small niche market. Brian found a way to stick to the established, pioneering format that Justine introduced the sea kayaking world to yet found a way to incorporate his unique touches to keep it fresh and further the genre with innovative filming angles, quality editing, and a nice musical score that was understated yet effectively used.
highly recommended!
michael
ps - i can’t wait to see the completede doc for the Charlottes trip in TITS4!
LOL! Hey Alex! Well, in style they are similar. Something everyone agrees with. In fact I’m sure there will be more that come along. What separates each one will always be quality of the storytelling, subjects & the production. But I do think there we are looking at a developing genre. The last time I wrote about this DVD I sort of categorized them as “world tour” videos, by that I meant a sort of digest where they show you destinations as well as who’s up to what over the last year or so. The “digest” format is pretty common all over video media. It would be hard to make this type of sea kayaking video that did not share similarities with other sea kayaking videos. I think that’s a given. I certainly don’t see them as competitive. Which of course is why Brian’s videos advertise Justine’s work and Cackle is marketing Bryan’s videos in the UK. Bryan’s video does stand out for being Hi-def and as I mentioned it’s got some great stories, and original footage. Now if you’re asking me which is better?? LOL! I like them all. . .and that’s a very honest response.
Fair enough. I’ve got dozens of “whitewater porn” dvds and the challenge there is that in a market so saturated by aspiring videographers how to distinguish one video from the next. Some people love the videos that feature heavy metal or hip hop soundtracks framing kayakers running huge drops or throwing big tricks and others like the videos that tell a story in a narrative fashion. Of course a good carnage video is fun to watch although it’s probably not the best idea before running a tough river.
I’m a fan of Bryan from his IR Vacation to Hell exploits so I’m interested to see how he transfers whitewater video styles into sea kayaking. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some good heart in ones throat sea kayak carnage.
I’ll put this on my Christmas list.
Yep, I’ve watched it forwards, backwards and upside down and it’s a great video - espcially with a half caf, 3 pump mocha flavored, no whip, no foam, extra hot, sugar free 18 ounce 1/4 room peppermint caramel macchiato. haha. I think the best part for me was the insane portlanders! gliding up through huge rocks and then getting laid up on a few gardens, only to be swept away by the next breaker. Just savage stuff and great, steady footage of it all. I gotta agree with the watercolors - tht just looks like the best place to be. The only part I really thought, ‘aww that sucks’ about was the vancouver island circumnavigation footage (I guess it was mostly unsalvageable. Beautiful stills, but I really wanted to see more about the mission and more of the crew interaction. Oh well, can’t have it all.
-Rich
the one other major thing i enjoyed from an educational point of view was the distinct emphasis on soft skills in the tripping segment with the BBB crew. pointing out the logostics of food prep, chart prep + review each night, distances to be covered etc etc is something that is great to see being pointed out.
hard skills are easy to acquire over time - get instruction then go practice. soft skills are often underplayed in many courses and this is a refreshing, welcome addition to these types of DVD’s.
again, great material to use in an intructional setting!
Pacific Horizons was quite aptly named. Excellent introduction to paddling the Pacific NW, and BC.
I did not really care for the Dubside bit. Even though it was educational seeing the minimalist approach to kayaking, including his black outfit, etc. (did he also paint his norsaqs black?), I would’ve enjoyed more scenic, paddling shots.
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