KELOWNA — Stand up paddle boarding is a common sight throughout the Okanagan but there’s one Kelowna paddleboarder has caught the attention of a local filmmaker.
Bob Purdy, 61, has been paddling on the water every single day since January 1, of 2011.
“I have not missed a day. Coldest day was minus 28, the water was freezing,” says Purdy.
Purdy’s passion for the sport goes well beyond a hobby. He launched his Paddle for the Planet campaign three and a half years ago to draw attention to water and the need to protect it. Since then, Purdy has stuck to his commitment of paddling every day to raise awareness about the issue.
“Today would be 1,357 days, not that I am counting,” he says.
It’s the kind of determination that local filmmaker Carey Missler took notice of.
“I woke up in middle of night and I thought of this idea for this film and called him the next day,” says Missler.
Since that January day, the two have been working and filming “the Paddler Movie”. The film shows Purdy paddling throughout the Okanagan Valley and other parts of the province.
But the film goes beyond a man’s passion for the sport. More than just a hobby, Purdy launched his Paddle for the Planet campaign to draw attention to water and the need to protect it. It’s a message that’s reflected over and over in the film.
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“It is really cool to see someone breaking their back every day to get the awareness out there and Bob Purdy is the guy doing it. He may not get a lot of attention but this movie will definitely help,” says Missler.
Parts of the movie are shot in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
“We wanted to highlight some of those areas. They are pristine and they need our protection, they need our help so they stay that way,” says Purdy.
A message that Missler says while important has been a bit challenging at times to get across on film.
“Filming around water is always challenging just because of technical issues. Your cameras can get wrecked. We filmed a lot of aerial footage. This movie has beautiful scenic shots and some of the challenges with that if the drone goes down we will be out a lot of money and nothing you can do,” says Missler.
Missler hopes to premier his film in Kelowna at the end of the year but with two companies already interested in distribution, it will likely be shown around the world.
As for Purdy and his daily paddling mission he says “I’m healthy. I am still able to do this so I will keep going as long as I stay healthy. Hopefully Sharon is not watching this, my wife.”
Missler has to raise $9,000 through the crowd funding website “Kickstarter” to complete the movie.
He’s almost at his goal but still needs about $900 by this Sunday or he will lose all of that funding.
If you would like to help, visit The Paddler Movie kickstarter page.
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