News
TeamD Grand Canyon
2006-11-28
The Grand Canyon sure is Grand. I am going to rate this as one of my top 5 river trips. 15 days living in the beautiful canyon, what a way to wind down, there is no escape, it is total submission. Far from our normal expeditions, where there is always that feeling of anxiety “what lies below”?, here on the Grand Canyon, where the Canyon walls look every bit formidable, yet one can relax in the knowledge that its ‘all good to go’ . Hence this felt like a true holiday. Here is the twist, I was getting paid. This is what the Grand Canyon was all about for my self and the 40 plus others who joined me on September 12th. McGillivray Freeman is producing the 3-D IMAX film “Water Planet’. Presenting sponsor is Teva footwear, in association with Waterkeeper Alliance, a grass-roots advocacy organization dedicated to protecting waterways from polluters, founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who appears in the film. Slated for release to IMAX® theatres and giant screen cinemas in Spring 2008, Water Planet highlights one of the most pressing issues of this century—the world’s fresh water crisis Set against the majestic backdrop of the Grand Canyon, Water Planet will take audiences on an exhilarating 15-day river-rafting adventure down the Colorado River in the company of a team of explorers committed to bringing global awareness to the issue of water. The guides on this cinematic journey include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the world-renowned environmental activist who is leading the charge for increased water conservation and river restoration; Wade Davis, the eminent ethno-botanist whose studies of plants and indigenous cultures in the Amazon River Basin give him a unique perspective for observing conditions along the Colorado River; Shana Watahomigie, a Grand Canyon guide and Native American of the Havasupai tribe; and myself as a Team Teva/Dagger kayaker. So yes, it is a privilege to be apart of something greater, and to have come into contact with such extraordinary people. The friendships new and old, is what makes the Grand Canyon such a special trip. The IMAX crew were incredibly hard workers, dealing with this rather large, expensive, rare camera (only five in the world), and with film that cost thousands every three minutes. (Anthony and I had our share of expensive screw ups). Along side the hard workers, is the crew from Oars and Wilderness Adventures, they provided fine food, fantastic raftmenship and relentless long hours; I highly recommend taking a Grand Canyon trip with either company. Big thanks to teva for making this trip happen. A lot of sweat went into this project. It was also a real treat to share the Grand Canyon experience with Adam, Jill and Lizzy, my employers from Teva, to witness them outside of the corporate realm. Another thanks to all my sponsors who sent me product to Flagstaff. Kokatat, Dagger, Werner, Smith, Girls 4 Sport, Shred Ready, it is fun to fly into the USA greeted by so many gifts. Google Wade Davis and Robert F. Kennedy Jr, I promise you educational and interesting reading. Wicked ,