After 2 years in the making and hundreds of hours put in by filmmakers Anthony Bonello and Nicolas Teichrob. Stand was released this past weekend to rave reviews and incredibly positive feedback. We were in Vancouver on Friday, Victoria Saturday and Tofino on Sunday. Here is an update by Quiksilver Marketing Manager, Natalie Farrell. "This past weekend we were fortunate enough to be a part first three premieres of STAND. The world premiere kicked off in Vancouver at the Fredric Wood theatre, Victoria the next night on our outdoor screen and heading out to Tofino for Sunday night. All premieres were filled to capacity with excited crowds. Posters, stickers and prizes were given out. Custom made Tshirts and hats were sold along with raffle tickets raising over $3000 for the filmmakers. The moving and inspiring film wowed the crowds and the feedback was all respect and astonishment of the cinematography, the landscapes, environment, people and culture along the coast. A movement to STAND up against the oil tankers has begun and this is only the beginning for STAND. Prior to the premieres we received coverage on SBC Surf, The Zone (Radio interview), BC AM (Global Morning news), ION Mag and Quiksilver had an email blast go out. We are still waiting for Vancouver Sun and The Province write ups. Thank you to everyone that made this film possible – it is an honour for Quiksilver to be a part of it. " Our screening in Vancouver was a special one, not only because it was the first release and first time I saw the film but because our families were with us to share in this special night. Thanks to mom and dad, my true hero's, for being there. Anthony's parents had flown out from Australia to be with him

Jen and I just got back from an amazing five days in Haida Gwaii where we spent the Easter weekend with friends Dave and Vanessa Wahl. We had five days of incredible weather as the coast was entrenched in a strong high pressure system bringing clear skies and warm temperatures. It was really good to back in Haida Gwaii. I was here in June for our Standfilm expedition where I paddle from Old Masset to the world heritage site at Sgang Gwaay on the south tip of South Moresby in Gwaii Hanaas National Park. I stayed with Dave and Vanessa on night two of my expedition in Tlell before heading south to Skidegate. Dave and Vanessa, school teachers in Skidegate, have a beautiful property overlooking Hecate Strait, a mesmerizing view that I never get tired of. Day 1: We enjoyed our 2 hour flight from Vancouver to Masset. Few flights in the world are more amazing than a flight up our coastline in clear blue skies. Usually I just look out the window searching for waves and looking at places I have explored over the years. After landing, we connected with Mike McQuade, owner of the North Beach Surf Shop. Mike supported our Standfilm expedition and provided amazing local knowledge and transportation along the route for the first day shuttling Anthony and Nic around so they could film on the North Beach section. Mike was there to see me off on Day 1, met me for lunch at Rose Spit and then pointed me in the right direction to the Cape Fife cabin later that evening. We dropped into the coffee shop where we met George Yeltatzie, a local Haida carver who just happened to be showing off a beautiful copper Raven bracelet to his friend. This caught my attention,

Photo Credit: Adam DeWolfe This March we will again be offering our Coastal Paddle Surf course in Tofino, B.C. Over the three days our course teaches you how to catch your first wave on your sup, improve your existing paddle surf skill set and provide a framework to make good decisions in a dynamic ocean environment. At the same time, you will enjoy the stunning west coast and the beauty of Tofino from our beach side accommodations. As certified instructors with years of surfing and coastal experience we are committed to your success on the waves and safety in the ocean. Nothing makes us happier than seeing people catch their first wave on their paddleboard. Enjoy, relax, have fun, and learn to paddle surf. DATES: MARCH 14-16th, 2014 LOCATION: TOFINO, B.C. PRICE: $575+hst ** A third night is also available for an additional cost. INCLUDES: Paddle Canada SUP Coastal Surf certification, Beach side accommodations, Video Analysis, Coastal Surf Swag Bag sponsored by Quiksilver, FCS, Tofino Brewing and more. *Board and wetsuit rental packages available. ** Contact norm@normhann.com to confirm your spot and receive a detailed itinerary. Tofino, British Columbia: Reigns as the jewel of Canada's west coast. The stunning beauty and ecological diversity of Tofino's location in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is the source of all activities. Imagine, all in one place, fishing, kayaking, whale watching, bear-watching, bird watching, camping, hiking, storm-watching and First Nations cultural touring. Surfing is big here, and Tofino was named the best surf town in North America in Outside Magazine's 2010 Editors' Choice awards. COASTAL PADDLE SURF INSTRUCTORS: Norm Hann: Norm is a sponsored Canadian paddleboard athlete and racer with Boardworks Surf Canada, a Quiksilver Waterman Ambassador and Paddle Canada SUP Instructor Trainer. Based in Squamish, B.C. Norm runs Norm Hann Expeditions which

Anthony just released this edit from the last paddling day of our Standfilm Expedition. I awoke that morning just outside of Burnaby Narrows after a long day of paddling and filming with the team. The ocean was flat calm, a mirror, and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the reflections on the water and reality. I wanted to take advantage of these conditions to push quickly south before the typical day time winds would pick up, or so I thought. I was amazed that hour after hour the ocean remained calm as I headed into Hecate Strait and around some potentially challenging points and headlands. I continued to paddle hard thinking at some point the conditions would change. The weather is so volatile and quick in Haida Gwaii that I never rested when conditions were good. Nic and Anthony took advantage of the weather gift to follow me in a zodiac and to explore some of the remote islands and inlets. They were like kids in a candy store as they zoomed around shooting video and stills. Later into the afternoon of that day we would receive a weather report forecasting 50 knot winds and 8m seas for the following day. It was hard to believe since we were in flat, calm conditions with no wind but I have been on the coast long enough to understand the seriousness of that forecast. This system would be moving quickly. We were to overnight in Rose Harbour and then head to Sgang Gwaay the follow day but based on the forecast I would push on to complete the expedition that evening, sneaking in before the storm came and giving Anthony and Nic an opportunity to film the totem poles and Watchman site under a setting sun. Late that

This was our fourth September SUP expedition trip in the last four years and it came on the eve of last years trip making the upcoming cover of Standup Paddle Magazine. Aaron Teasdale, writer/photographer was on our trip last year and killed it with his photos and writing. We were also featured on the cover of Sierra Magazinethis past May. Both articles not only featured our expedition but more importantly brought increased awareness to the threat of oil tankers traveling through the Great Bear Rainforest. September 1st/2nd- Road trip North. With the Tacoma loaded up Jen and I started our expedition leaving from Squamish headed for Prince Rupert, a 17 hour drive. I always enjoy the road trip but it's a pretty good pull up there. There was lots of wildlife around the Burns Lake area including three moose, four Black Bears and two deer. Our first day of travel took us to one of our favorite towns, Smithers. We stayed at Jan and Amy's beautiful home close to the Babine River where we caught up over a warm fire under a starry night. The following morning we loaded up on groceries and then headed west. We stopped at one of my favorite places, Moricetown, to watch the local natives dip netting salmon out of the turbulent river. There were signs everywhere saying no to oil. If you ever get a chance to stop at Moricetown, which is right off the highway, do it, it's a pretty powerful and memorable place. It showcases firsthand the dependence of the First Nations on the rivers and on the salmon. Moricetown River The road trip from Smithers, west to Prince Rupert is one of the most beautiful drives you can take. It's river and mountain county and will leave you incredibly inspired. After

Norm on West Beach. Photo: Dan Shugar I have finally had some time to write some blog’s on my latest adventures. It has been an amazing month to say the least. Bella Bella Boardbuilding Project. Photo: Norm Hann My first trip up the coast was on Thursday May 31stto Bella Bella to see Chris Williamson’s wood working class. All seven students had completed their gorgeous wooden red cedar paddleboards and were now ready to learn how to paddleboard. This was the second class of students that have completed boards. I was up a year ago after the first class completed their boards and those students were highlighted in the Standup4greatbear Documentary. That first class has been an inspiration to many. This year there were seven new, excited students who were hand picked to be a part of this years project. I had flown up with talented photographer/filmmaker Nicolas Teichrob to meet Anthony Bonello who had been up documenting the board-building project for our new Standfilm project. This year the students and the Standfilm team were really stoked to be heading to Calvert Island and to the Hakai Beach Institute to do the official launch. Much thanks goes to Eric and Christina for hosting us at their incredible resort. Secretly I couldn’t stop thinking about the surf on the west side of the island, nor could professional surfer Raph Bruhwiler who had also flown up to meet us as part of the Standfilm team. Raph is a Quiksilver athlete and not only is he an outstanding surfer but he is an incredible ambassador for the sport and for our coastline. We left on Friday June 1st but a nasty southeast wind forced us back to Bella Bella after taking a couple of green waves right over the boat. I was impressed