By: Tom Bamonte
A group of Chicago area sea kayakers assembled recently at Geneva Kayak Center-Lakefront for a screening of "Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown: An Instructional Journey Along the Magnificent Isle of Skye." This group of film critics ranged from complete novices to highly decorated kayaking veterans. After the screening the group had a vigorous discussion of the film. This review is an amalgam of the comments. Any inaccuracies are those of the author. Note that the review is based on a preview version of the film that is likely significantly rougher than the final product. Please note the response by the filmmaker at the end.
“Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown: An Instructional Journey Along the Magnificent Isle of Skye” (preview) is a useful and inspiring new addition to the growing list of kayaking films. Simon Willis is the director. Gordon Brown, a noted sea kayaking instructor, a principal in Skyak Adventures on the Isle of Skye in Scotland and author of the acclaimed book "Sea Kayak: A Manual for the Intermediate and Advanced Paddler" (preview), is the star. Many paddlers will both enjoy the film and learn plenty about paddle strokes and boat control.
The 90 minute film is based on a four-day trip trip along the west coast of the Isle of Skye by a mixed group of paddlers. The group had great weather and it appears that some rough water footage may have been filmed elsewhere.
The film alternates between scenes involving the group and coaching sessions with Brown alone. The group scenes show off the beautiful scenery and give us a glimpse of life on a kayak "expedition." The coaching sessions by Brown consist of the following:
Foundations
- Body position
- Edging and leaning
Forward paddling
- Lower hand
- Upper hand
Turning
- Static sweep stroke
- Sweep stroke on the move
- Bow and cross bow rudder
- Braced turn
Steering
- Stern rudder
Rock Hopping
- Draw on the move
- Hanging draws
- Bow draw
Tidal Races
- Breaking in and out of moving water
- Angle of approach
- Handling confused water
The group had mixed feelings about the hybrid structure of the film. Many found the scenes with the group inspiring. These folks viewed the film as a welcome alternative to most training films, which sometimes seem to be so grimly focused on technique that they seem to squeeze the fun out of kayaking. By showing the group clambering over ruins, singing in sea caves, paddling in open water and gathered around a campfire the film well portrayed what fun can be had through kayak tripping. (The footage showing folks swatting biting insects also illustrated some of the challenges of kayak camping.)
Unfortunately, it was extremely difficult for us to understand much of what was said by the group members. It appeared that the participants had plenty to say, but we Chicagoans could not untangle the Scottish brogue and the film lacks English subtitles. Fortunately, Brown and WIllis, the narrator, can be understood throughout the film.
The other major criticism was that the film failed to use the group effectively to reinforce the instruction. With a couple of short short exceptions there is no footage of Brown offering group members instruction. The instructors in the group would have liked to have seen Brown’s teaching methods. Others thought that the non-expert paddlers could have been used to illustrate common errors and the methods used to correct them.
In the end, the group agreed that Brown was the star of the film and properly so. There were many comments to the effect that Brown was an extremely accomplished and intuitive paddler who is a joy to watch. Brown comes off as indefatigable and charismatic in an “aw shucks” kind of way. He has a wry sense of humor and an evident affinity for kayaking. One member of the group has taken a class from Brown and reported that the film captures him well.
The group consensus was that the film does not stand out for its technical quality, but is clear enough and well enough put together that the filmmaking does not get in the way of the viewer. Indeed, there were some nice features that attracted plenty of positive comment. These included equipping Brown with a microphone so that we got his commentary in real-time as he demonstrated the techniques. The footage of the paddling group, while adequate, did not match that of trip footage by filmmakers such as Justine Curgenven.
The group really appreciated Brown demonstrating various techniques in rough water, close to rocks and in tidal currents. This was another example of how the filmmaker went the extra mile to capture footage that everyone felt was important to the success of the film. The group thought that seeing these practical applications in real-life conditions helped differentiate the film from the standard how-to video shot in flat water. When Brown was paddling in rough water near a sheer rock face and let out a joyous whoop, we were all there with him.
There were various friendly criticisms of his teaching method. Some mentioned that Brown used terminology without providing an adequate explanation. Some found him a bit wordy. Some questioned his inclusion of the cross bow rudder. The prevailing view, however, was that Brown is an accomplished teacher as well as kayaker. There were several comments to the effect that the sequence on paddling in tidal races was “the best I’ve ever seen” and that Brown’s seamless mixing of strokes was amazing.
Another counterpoint to the criticisms was praise for the film's lack of testosterone-soaked antics. The group felt that the matter-of-fact approach Brown exhibited broadened the film's appeal in the kayaking community. The group also liked how Brown modeled safe paddling techniques (e.g., appropriate dress for immersion) without hectoring the audience about safety.
In the end, two questions dominated the discussion. The first was who is the intended audience for the film. The beginners in the audience indicated that that the coaching sessions were too much, too soon for beginners to absorb in one sitting. The more experienced paddlers agreed. In the end, the group consensus was that the film’s target audience was advanced beginning paddlers and above. As the film does not mark a major advance in kayaking pedagogy, this is a film for paddlers and not teachers.
The other key question came back to the hybrid structure of the film and its scope. While most if not all of the audience found much to like about the film there seemed to be a sense that the film may have tried to do too much. Some people clearly wanted to see more of Brown’s paddling in slow motion and in real time just to observe and learn. Others wanted to see more about the journey--e.g., navigation, picking campsites, group leadership techniques. The film gave both camps a good taste of what each wanted, but left both of them somewhat dissatisfied as well. Maybe there needed to be an instruction film and an expedition film rather than the single hybrid that we have.
What must not be forgotten, however, is that this film held the close attention of a group of generally restless and opinionated paddlers for 90 minutes. The film sparked much fruitful discussion in which no one said the film would make viewers worse paddlers but many cited both instructional and inspirational rewards the film offered. In sum, "Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown: An Instructional Journey Along the Magnificent Isle of Skye" is a film worth seeking out and viewing if for nothing more than to watch a talented paddler and instructor at work and even at a bit of play. And let's not forget the hard work of Simon Willis, the filmmaker, whose vision of an inspiring kayak instructional film has been capably realized.
Geneva Kayak Center stocks both the DVD of the film and Gordon Brown’s book. Thanks to GKC-Lakefront for hosting this review screening.
Thanks to Hether, Tom, Zach, Sarah, Peg, Rich, Fiona, Scott, Haris, Paul, Jim, John, Dave, and Tom for sharing their impressions of the film.
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Simon Willis was kind enough to supply a response to this review addressing some of the criticisms:
I'm grateful to all the paddlers who contributed such positive comments and criticism from which we'll learn when shooting Volume 2 in this series. I'm glad it held your attention throughout, and I apologise that I could only send you a Preview Version. This clearly caused some problems which are apparent in your review comments.
The Final DVD has a very different menu structure to the Preview Version. In the Final Version, the Coaching Sessions and Journey can be watched separately, or integrated in one film. This is a key innovation for this DVD. (Watch video clips at www.SeaKayakWithGordonBrown.com)
Viewing the Final Version would answer the 'two questions' that dominated your discussion.
Those who felt the Coaching Sessions were too intense, and others who enjoyed the kayaking trip, would find it easy to watch more of the Journey, and then return to study the slow-motion Coaching Sessions one by one when they were ready. Incidentally, this intensity of coaching is precisely why Gordon does not coach on the journey; the Journey sequences provide relief from coaching and time to digest the information delivered. This is why other reviewers have said it is a DVD to return to time and again.
The second question centred on the hybrid nature of the film. If you had viewed the Final Version rather than the Preview, this would not be an issue. You could choose what to watch.
However, I'm delighted your group wanted more of both the Journey and the Coaching Sessions. Look out for Volume Two!
Simon Willis, Ardnamurchan, Scotland