The team at CGJKC, left to right: Alex Pinchot, Anna Wagner, Rain Burtchaell Norman, Naomi Elyard-Jaeger, Sam Swanson, Anna Bruno, Gabe Walters, Kristin Aligood.
HOOD RIVER — On any given day of the week there’s no shortage of nonprofits and fundraising events around the Gorge. No matter what organizations or topics tug at your heartstrings, there is sure to be a group or event in place to offer support, events, and awareness.
One such nonprofit is the Columbia Gorge Junior Kayak Club, a 501(c)3 organization with the goal to help kids access the outdoors specifically through whitewater kayaking. “We aim to build community and promote stewardship and safety,” said program director and one of the founders Naomi Elyard-Jaeger.
On Jan. 25, Columbia Gorge Junior Kayak Club (CGJKC) hosted a film festival at Trout Lake Hall in Washington as a fun community event and fundraiser for their group. CGJKC partnered with 5Point Film Festival as part of their “On the Road” film series that expands the annual 5Point Film Festival which takes place in Carbondale, CO. There was also a raffle for event-goers to win river gear including drytops, waterproof bags, sleeping pads, hats, and more.
The team at CGJKC, left to right: Alex Pinchot, Anna Wagner, Rain Burtchaell Norman, Naomi Elyard-Jaeger, Sam Swanson, Anna Bruno, Gabe Walters, Kristin Aligood.
Photo courtesy of Naomi Elyard-Jaeger
Elyard-Jaeger shared that their vice president, Anna Bruno, has attended and collaborated with 5Point in the past, working in association with the film organization and Northwest River Supplies (NRS). After experiencing a film festival at Trout Lake Hall last winter, the team at CGJKC decided is would be a great, central space to host their own screenings for whitewater lovers.
“It was really awesome to see the community turn up and to have so much support,” Elyard-Jaeger said. They sold out of tickets for the event, selling 100 in advance and eventually capping sales at the door around 120 people. They raised $2,000 in ticket sales and $1,000 in raffle tickets with all proceeds going towards 2025 programming for the nonprofit group.
The festival featured 7 different films, each from a different director:
Solo-Jackson Goldstone, Dir Scott Seco
Canyon Chorus, Dir Chris Cresci
Top Sportsman, Dir Oliver Sutr
Elladj, Dir Mike Schwartz
Paddle Tribal Waters II: Bring the Salmon Home, Dir Rush Sturges
Slides on the Mountain, Dir Seth Gillis
Strong Grandma, Dir Cecilia Brown, Winslow Crane-Murdoch
When asked which were her favorites, Elyard-Jaeger noted that Strong Grandma and Slides on the Mountain were most intriguing. She thanked the whitewater community for supporting the event and is looking forward to continuing to advocate for youth engagement outdoors and on the river.
President of CGJKC Anna Wagner (left) and Treasurer Sam Swanson (right) pose with the raffle donations at their event.
Photo courtesy of Naomi Elyard-Jaeger
CGJKC offer pool sessions through the end of April in Hood River and will resume regularly scheduled paddles each week on the lower White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers in May.
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