The Watersmith Journal
Welcoming NRS as a Green Line Sponsor for 2024!
We are thrilled to announce that NRS is joining the Watersmith Guild as a Green Line sponsor for 2024! This partnership is a testament to NRS’s exceptional dedication to equitable waterways access, conservation, and their instrumental role in our growth and success.
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 Indiana Film Premiere
Join us for the official film premiere of First Waves Indiana! The event will celebrate the latest regional project of First Waves that empowers youth in the region to contribute to watershed conservation and recreation.
Watch Watersmith Guild on Start Up Television Show!
Learn about how the Watersmith Guild and First Waves came to be on the Start Up Television hosted by Gary Bredow! The show provides an in-depth look at the fascination of standup paddleboarding and how Ian Smith uses the pursuit as a catalyst to inspire conservation of waterways and mentorship for underserved youth.
In Our Own Backyard - A First Waves Film
The First Waves Team was back in Johnstown with a whole new cast of youth participating in the project for the first time. In total, more than 20 students from the Greater Johnstown Schools took part with activities ranging from river surfing, the art of filmmaking, and watershed conservation sciences. The students also completed a riparian improvement along a Class-A Wild Trout Stream as part of the project.
First Waves Expansion and a New Home!
Since 2014, First Waves has empowered underserved youth with education, adventure, and mentorship that promotes watershed conservation and recreation. We are excited to announce that in 2022, First Waves will be expanding to regional programming that encompasses 4 projects across Pennsylvania. The projects will include the Greater Pittsburgh Region, Greater Johnstown Region, Indiana County, and Cambria County. The expansion will allow the initiatives to reach a greater number of youth in both urban and rural areas where access and educational opportunities are limited.
Furthermore, First Wave’s success and growth has always been facilitated through collaborations with other non-profit organizations such as the Benscreek Canoe Club, Tree Pittsburgh, and many others. Now, along with the program’s expansion to regional impacts, First Waves will become the flagship program of a new non-profit, The Watersmith Guild. Officially founded on Earth Day in 2021, the Watersmith Guild’s mission is to inspire watershed conservation and improve lives through arts and adventure programming.
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!
Nature Works Film Screening and Youth Presentation
Despite the delay on future films, First Waves was able to have the first community screening of 2020 at the Nature Works event at Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center shortly before the pandemic arrived. The event attracted a standing-room only crowd at the Black Box Theater – the same venue where First Waves Johnstown youth have learned to compile the films since 2015. This year, we even had one student present his film and share his story with the crowd. Public speaking is one of the most feared actions in the world, but his willingness and excitement to share his film, “Above the River,” was truly inspirational.
Film Screening - NatureWorks
We are proud to announce the first First Waves film screening for 2020! We will be in the black box theater at Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center as part of the Nature Works Event on Saturday, March 7th! For anyone interested in volunteering, mentoring, or getting involved - we will be doing a Q and A and information session after the short film.