Team Heart of Gold (aka Karl Kruger) on his second - and successful - attempt to become the first ever person to Standup Paddleboard the Race to Alaska. If he succeeds he'd also be first to Standup Paddleboard the Inside Passage.
750 miles. Icy water. No motors. No support. Described as “the Iditarod on a boat with a chance of drowning or being eaten by a Grizzly bear,” THE RACE TO ALASKA (2022) follows this epic endurance race that attracts the intrepid and unhinged in equal measure, who find their purpose along a coastline that is as punishing as it is beautiful.
The film leapfrogs from racer to racer, boat to boat, as racers journey up the Inside Passage to
Alaska. The landscape in this part of the world is freshly carved by glaciers, and burnished by
salt and wind. Coastal mountains meet deep, icy water laden with fierce currents. Boats break,
teams drop out, racers fix broken masts and pedal drives on the fly.
The Race to Alaska mixes raw racer-shot footage with vast aerials and in-depth interviews to
tell the story of the race's improbable inception and the journey of the men and women who
have answered the call to action. These everyday heroes challenge themselves to find their
edge on an exhilarating, engineless charge through the Pacific Northwest, traversing one of
the most complex and beautiful race courses on Earth.
"The Race... changes people," says Director Zach Carver. "I’m no exception, it's certainly changed me."
"Filming this event for the last 5 years with all its challenges taught me countless lessons, not only about filmmaking but about leadership, and my own limits of endurance and creativity under great pressure. Truth is, this is an event that I’d sign up for as a participant in a heartbeat – but I’ve always been too busy shooting it.
I grew up sailing and rowing and paddling in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been through the Inside Passage. I’m aware of the challenges inherent in exploring these waters. And I've experienced the intense natural beauty. The grit, intelligence, humor, ingenuity and stamina of these racers continues to amaze me year after year. I feel like the significance of the race – the overall story – is a tapestry woven from the best stories of each one of the participants.
These are amazing people who find new dimensions of themselves along the journey. My team and I are proud and privileged to tell this story. We thank you for your interest and support."
THE RACE TO ALASKA is currently in theaters across North America from May to July 2022 in Partnership with Adventure Entertainment; you can buy tickets here or look at the map of theater locations. It will be available FALL 2022 for on-demand streaming.