Green Bay’s historic Tarlton Theatre once again played host to an engaging evening of paddling films, as 84 paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts gathered for NEWP’s annual screening of the World Tour Paddling Film Festival.
Building on the success of last year’s event, attendees enjoyed the unique dinner theater experience, with many taking advantage of the venue’s food and beverage offerings before and during the show. The evening provided a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow paddlers and kick off the 2026 paddling season.
As part of the international tour, the festival continues to showcase some of the best paddling storytelling and cinematography each year. The film lineup featured a diverse collection of short films from around the world, highlighting paddling expeditions, environmental stories and inspiring personal journeys.
In addition to the films, NEWP recognized several individuals for their outstanding contributions to the paddling community:
- NEWP Impact Award: Will Stahl and Ken Braband
- Paddle Ambassador Award: John Browning
- Wisconsin Paddlers Hall of Fame Inductee: Darren Bush
These awards highlight the dedication, leadership, and passion that continue to strengthen the paddling community throughout northeast Wisconsin and beyond.
NEWP extends sincere thanks to this year’s sponsor, Umingmaq Paddling Touring Center, for supporting the event and helping make the evening possible. Proceeds from the festival help support NEWP’s mission of promoting paddlesports education, safety, and community engagement.