The Watersmith Journal
10-Years of First Waves
This video celebrates the 10th anniversary of the First Waves Program! Over the past decade, we've empowered countless youth through river surfing, environmental education, and community engagement. This milestone wouldn't have been possible without the incredible dedication of our volunteers, the generous support of our sponsors, the collaboration with our partners, and the enthusiastic participation of our amazing students. Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey. Here's to many more years of making waves together!
First Waves Pittsburgh Official Film Release
A group of student's from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania work together to improve the watersheds in their community. They also learn the joys of river surfing, paddleboarding, and the art of filmmaking along the way. Watch their story and progression here.
Bonus: you've seen Charlie Batch throw touchdown passes for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but have you seen him riding a river wave on a surfboard? Check it out here!
Earth Day Video Premiere!
Let’s celebrate Earth Day with a surprise premiere of the First Waves Johnstown Project film from the Summer of 2020! Special thanks to the volunteers, mentors, and supporters that made this project possible. Enjoy the show!
Contours - Official Film Premiere
Contours is the latest film project by First Waves, a program that inspires conservation through the art of filmmaking and the pursuit of river surfing and paddleboarding.
The Allegheny Front Features First Waves
When it comes to reporting on environmental topics in Western Pennsylvania, the Allegheny Front radio show is the frontrunner. Naturally, we were ecstatic when digital editor, Andy Kubis, came to cover a First Waves river surfing and filmmaking workshop last July. What she witnessed, however, was a foreboding account of why watershed protection is so vital. As the river turned black before our eyes, there was only one thing for us to do – document the event to instill the urgency of action needed.
Surf Film Event with Patagonia Pittsburgh
Attention Pittsburgh surfers, paddlers, water enthusiasts and adventurers - First Waves and SurfSUP Adventures will be partnering with Patagonia Pittsburgh as they host a Never Town Film Screening with professional surfer, Dan Ross, on Tuesday, October 23! There will be refreshments, food, raffles and more that will all benefit the First Waves program to engage underserved youth in river surfing, watershed conservation and filmmaking! We hope to see you all there!
The Current to Conserve - Official Film Release
The Current to Conserve is a paddleboarding and watershed conservation film by the students of First Waves! Additional support from the Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
First Waves at 5Point Film Festival Pittsburgh
There’s something about outdoor film festivals that makes you question what you’re capable of. The combination of immaculately captured places, harrowing adventures, and a cast of characters only conjured by sports involving leaps from cliffs, vertical climbs, or skate boards hurdling down mountain roads at 70-mph. But why are these festivals so moving?
First Annual New River Gorge Youth SUP Race
The New River Gorge Adventure SUP Race has become the epicenter of whitewater standup paddleboard racing in the Eastern US, but not because of a cash purse (there isn’t one!) or fantastical prizes. Instead, this race has ingrained itself in the hearts of a community that it has helped to grow since its inception in 2011. This year, First Waves has partnered up with Active Southern West Virginia to bring the first Youth SUP race to the Gorge.
FREE SUP AND SURF EVENT + FILM SCREENING!!
First Waves and the Benscreek Canoe Club is celebrating the 2015 success of First Waves Johnstown with an outdoor film screening of "River of Change" and FREE Paddleboarding and River Surfing lessons at the 2016 Stonycreek Rendezvous.