Presenting STAND – An Ocean Sports Film Shedding Light on a Threatened BC Coast
The World premiere of STAND is happening on May 3, 2013 at the Frederic Wood Theatre at UBC. More information about the event.
And here’s a summary of the film and its importance within BC’s SUP community…
STAND, presented by Quiksilver Waterman is an independent, cinematic and controversial ocean sports film that sheds light on the threat of an oil spill on BC’s west coast as a result of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker route.
Visually stunning, the film follows the journey of professional, expedition stand-up paddle-boarder, Norm Hann, as he paddles the 350km east coast of Haida Gwaii, directly adjacent to the proposed tanker route through Hecate Strait. Narrated by Hann, the film highlights the natural beauty and diversity of the marine and terrestrial environment.
Also speaking out about the proposal is a Heiltsuk Grade 12 woodworking class building their own cedar stand-up paddle-boards as a means of connecting with their traditional territories and protest. Construction of the students’ paddle-boards coincided with the Bella Bella Joint Review Panel hearings where 11 students participated in a 48 hour hunger strike—a radical gesture.
Joining Hann is surfing icon and Tofino-native, Raph Bruhwiler. Bruhwiler demonstrates the lifestyle and connection to the coast that many on Vancouver Island maintain and highlights how the proposal’s potential affects are not limited to BC’s North and Central Coast, but would alter an entire west coast way of life.
STAND traverses the Great Bear Rainforest, Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island, portraying the diversity of people, landscapes and wildlife that would be threatened by an oil spill one paddle stroke at a time.
“One part surf, one part nature, and one part environmental documentary, STAND doesn’t fit into a traditional category of film,” says Hann. “We wanted people to feel like they are truly experiencing this special place that is, in fact, quite difficult to access yet highly threatened.”
“We hope to offer an insight in the culture, landscape and freedom of the west coast, and along the way raise awareness about what is at stake,” says co-director Nicolas Teichrob.
Leveraging the popular crowd-funding platform, IndieGoGo.com, STAND raised over $12,000 from the public to supplement sponsorship contributions.
Presented by Quiksilver Waterman Supported by Ikelite USA, Wefi Surfboards, The Escape Route, Pacific Wild and Boardworks Surf Canada.
Additional support provided by SBC Surf, Coast Mountain Culture, the Dogwood Initiative, Soul Haven Sailing, Mountain Surf Adventures and Tofino Surf Adventures.
Facebook page: fb.com/standfilm
Visit standfilm.com to find a show near you or for more information about hosting a screening of Stand.
