Campus News
December 29th, 2025
PAC to host Freeland: A Blackwater Story
Tickets for January 24th event: $10 for adults, $5 for students/children
West Virginia director and kayaking enthusiast Justin Harris will bring his film Freeland: A Blackwater Story to the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College on Saturday, January 24th at 6 p.m.
A Blackwater Story highlights the history of the Blackwater River in the Monongahela National Forest and the 40-year history of the kayaking community that developed around it. The Blackwater is one of the premier Class V+ whitewater runs of the Mid-Atlantic, with 17 miles of whitewater through the deep Blackwater Canyon.
Harris said his film utilizes "a descent of the river as a historical timeline, mixing footage from the '80s and '90s with modern-day drone and SLR footage to tell a story, and recording the history of our sport through the storytelling of the original generation of creek boaters." He said the film explores the topic of death in whitewater, and the impact social media plays on the next generation of whitewater kayakers.
"Having the opportunity to tell this generation's story is a true honor as a filmmaker," said Harris. "Rarely in history do athletes of a given sport have the opportunity to share experiences and stories with those who pioneered the sport.
"I felt it was of vital importance to document these times properly," he added. "My hope is that 10, 20, even 50 years from now, this film is an archive of a generation and the sport they created."
Harris, owner of Mountain River Media, began film work as media director of a small West Virginia ski resort during the winter and whitewater photo boater during the summer. A Blackwater Story is Harris' third film.
Harris' first film, The Red Creek Sessions, won 35 film awards, including the Accomplished Film Award and the Viewer's Choice Award at the 2023 National Paddling Film Festival. He followed that up with A White Grass Story.
Tickets for A Blackwater Story are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. They may be purchased at https://performingartscenteratgarrettc.ticketspice.com/a-blackwater-story.
All sponsorships and ticket sales for the event will benefit the Scott Hess Adventure Sports Student Fund, which is managed by the Garrett College Foundation.
"The Scott Hess Fund supports professional development opportunities for Outdoor Leadership and Adventure (OLA) Education students by providing access to costly certifications that students require to progress in their field," said Ryan Walton, an OLA program coordinator and adjunct faculty member.
"For example, in January 2026, eight OLA students are utilizing the Scott Hess Fund to obtain their American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) I certifications while taking Introduction to Alpine Climbing (OLA 125) in the White Mountains of New Hampshire," added Walton.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the Blackwater Story presentation. Interested individuals should contact Walton at ryan.walton@garrettcollege.edu.
