Canoe Dig It? is a mockumentary comedy about a fictional canoeing competition in Northern Maine that highlights the very real and eccentric sport of Freestyle Canoeing—a performative art best described as “canoe dancing.” Competitors paddle out to spin, dip, and “dance” in perfect synchronization with music of their choice, blending athleticism and artistry on the water. The film follows a colorful cast of quirky and oddly relatable competitors as they vie for the coveted blue ribbon at the Moosehead Regional Finals. Among them are a cutthroat perfectionist, a backwoods natural, an aging underdog, a bickering couple of summer camp owners, and a hard-rocking bartender. As they prepare for the big stage—or rather, lake—audiences get a glimpse into their personal lives, their eclectic training methods, and the unique challenges of the freestyle canoeing world.

What does it take to bring home the “Top Paddler” ribbon? Athleticism? Technique? Core strength? Song choice? These and more burning questions will be hilariously explored in writer/director/Mainer Sam Dunning's whimsical and heartwarming dive into the unexpected world of canoeing artistry that feels like a blend of IFC's Documentary Now! and Christopher Guest's Best in Show.

This film is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund. Call the Box Office at 207.873.7000 to obtain YAAF tickets. Pay it forward! Donate to YAAF here.

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