Colorado Whitewater's annual Spring Kick-Off/Movie Night was a huge success on March 30 at The Oriental Theater in Denver. Nearly 200 people came to enjoy food and drinks, watch inspiring paddling films, meet new boaters, and win cool gear from the raffle. 

“Judging from people’s comments that night, it was a great success,” said Jodi Lee, CW event coordinator. “Many people expressed that they enjoyed the films, had fun catching up with paddling friends, and even meeting new people throughout the evening."

This was the second year that CW hosted Rapid Media’s Reel Paddling Film Festival at the event. The festival gathers film submissions from around the world and picks winners that will inspire people to try paddling sports. Films that were selected to show at CW's Spring Kick-Off/Movie Night included a freestyle film called "Go Big or Go Home: In Search of the Perfect Wave", "Whitewater SUP on the Ottawa River", a humorous commercial "Nature Rx", two favorite Grand Canyon films among the crowd "Voyagers Without Trace" and "Martin's Boat", and a conservation film about the Yampa and Green rivers called "62 Years". 

The classic video "Ode to the Club Boater" was also shown as it's always a good laugh, along with Steve Fisher's 2015 film "Beyond Adventure: The Lost Valley of the Merced". Pete Bellande, experienced kayaker and CW safety director, emceed the event and announced that Steve Fisher will be the guest speaker at Colorado Whitewater's 2016 Spring Dinner on May 3 at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden.

"Pete did an amazing job as our emcee -- told great stories, raved about Colorado Whitewater, American Whitewater and our event sponsors, and made the event a lot of fun,” Jodi Lee stated.  

New faces were seen among all who attended the event, where an estimated 50 percent were not CW club members. Attendees enjoyed food from Corner Gourmet food truck and jerky samples from Krave Jerky, plus drinks from the fully-stocked bar. Jodi Lee organized raffle prizes from numerous local sponsors including Down River Equipment, Confluence Kayaks, Krave Jerky, and Golden River Sports. Fun and purpose blended seamlessly at the event, which raised approximately $1,000 for CW’s mission to safeguard rivers and support the growth of paddling sports. A huge thanks goes to all who sponsored, volunteered, and attended the 2016 Spring Kick-Off/Movie Night event! 

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