First Waves To Showcase River SUP Film

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - Ian Smith is perhaps best known for his pursuits in whitewater SUP, but has recently expanded his role in the sport. Since 2011, Ian has been working toward ways to fuse his passion for paddle boarding with conservation and educational experiences for underserved youth. After years of developing programs and curriculums with organizations such as the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR), Citi Parks, and the City of Pittsburgh, Ian founded First Waves.

First Waves is a program that teaches teens about standup paddle boarding, the art of filmmaking, video technology, and using digital media to generate awareness and inspiration for waterway conservation. Through the course of the program, Ian instructs youth participants in standup skills, eventually teaching them to run rapids, negotiate whitewater, and surf standing river waves.

First Waves teaches teens about SUP as well as waterway conservation. | Photos by: Renee Rosensteel courtesy of The Sprout Fund

In partnership with the Pittsburgh Filmmakers Youth Media program, participants also learn to document their adventures and to inspire others through the art of filmmaking and digital media. Finally, the group makes use of their paddling and filmmaking skills to showcase and cleanup local waterways under the guidance of Paddle Without Pollution, a local conservation organization that uses non-powered watercrafts for stream cleanups.

Through the exciting and addictive nature of river surfing, waterway recreation, and filmmaking, First Waves offers a comprehensive approach to connected education for under-served youth while showcasing and improving waterway resources.

The program’s first film premiere is slated for February 20th at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. You can learn more about First Waves and Ian’s programs at www.firstwaves.org and www.surfsupadventures.com.