Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation is once again hosting the Paddling Film Festival World Tour at Howe Arena on Wednesday, April 30.
The Paddling Film Festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, and lifestyle – in more than 120 cities and towns across the United States, Canada, and around the world. Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation is pleased to present the only Michigan screening of the 2025 Paddling Film Festival World Tour.
A selection of the 26 inspiring paddling films shortlisted for the World Tour will be shown with a run time of approximately 2 hours. Audiences will see hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries and grueling kayak fishing battles. Attracting paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts, audiences can expect a fun, social and entertaining event inspired by compelling films.
Our silent auction is back and we have a great lineup of paddling related gear up for bid. We have great prizes from Pyranha Kayyas, Bending Branches, Werner Paddles, NRS, Level Six, and more on the way.
New this year, with support from the Traverse Area Paddling Club we will be hosting a Paddling Gear Marketplace, where people can bring used gear with a lot of life left and help it find a new home. Registration for the marketplace is available at www.gtcountymi.gov/parks. A donation of 20% of the sales proceeds is requested. Funds raised through the silent auction and gear marketplace donations will be used toward purchase and installation of an accessible launch at Medalie Park.
Doors open at 5:30 pm and the show begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/gtcountyand are also available at Backcountry North (2820 N U.S. 31 S and 227 E Front St Traverse City locations), Brick Wheels (736 E Eighth St, Traverse City), Wild Card Cycle Works (1029 Hannah Ave., Traverse City), Tank Space on 8th (1110 E. Eighth St. Traverse City), and Earthen Ales (1371 Gray Dr #200, Traverse City).