Yesterday was my first experience working with the New Mexico Film industry, aside from a few independent projects, but it's something I've wanted to do for quite a while.  With more than 70 kayaks in our program, New Mexico Kayak Instruction, Inc. (NMKI) makes it easy for Directors, Producers and Location Managers to find the perfect style of kayak, and color, for the perfect scene.

Proceeds from this and future film projects go to fund our non-profit, Kayak New Mexico (501(c)3 status pending), where we provide free or reduced-cost instruction, events and activities for kids and veterans with disabilities, at-risk teens and support environmental education and conservation efforts.

Our project was a commercial for the New Mexico Tourism Department, and is Directed and produced by two world-famous videographers Corey Rich and Wynn Ruji. The Tourism Department's Director of Marketing and Communications, Veronica Valencia and I share many common beliefs about New Mexico; There's plenty of water for recreation in New Mexico, the lakes and easy rivers are perfect for kayaking, and kayaking is a fun, affordable way for families to enjoy the outdoors in New Mexico.

Behind the Scenes

I started working with Wynn and Corey Saturday night, culling through more than 70 boats to find the right style, size and color for the cast.  The cast consisted of a couple in their early 30s, and a young family in their mid-30s with two young children; all with limited kayaking experience.  We decided on three beginner-friendly kayaks for the project; the Native Watercraft Magic 14. (tandem sit-on-top, red), the Native Watercraft Ultimate 12 (fishing kayak, red) and the Jackson Kayak Day-Tripper 10 (recreational kayak, green).  We also wanted to portray the actors as experienced paddlers, with quality gear, as if it was part of their lifestyle.

I started loading boats at 2am and drove to Abiquiu Lake for a 6:30 shoot.  Something told me to bring a few extra boats, wet suits, youth paddles and youth PFDs, and an assortment of rescue equipment, just incase.  While the day was warm and sunny, the water at Abiquiu was only 36^o, and I wanted to be well prepared in the likely event that someone ended up in the water, the kids especially, who may not know the consequences.

While Wynn and Corey worked their creative magic, I worked with them behind the scenes to get the right boats and gear for authentic scenes.  I spent a good portion of the shoot on the water with the cast, doing what I do best; helping with logistics and readily available should a rescue be necessary.  Little things like getting the right paddle for the right person and boat, and holding it correctly, using correct strokes for stability, and setting the cast up to make kayaking look fun and easy, all helped to make the scenes authentic, manage risk and minimize time on the set.  

I look forward to future film industry projects where boats, gear, logistics, experience and risk managment help to make the scene more real, enable the best shots, and keep the cast and crew safe. 

Thanks Corey, Wynn and Veronica for selecting New Mexico Kayak Instruction for your New Mexico Tourism commercial.

Kelly Gossett
New Mexico Kayak Instruction, Inc.