Chaco will premiere its feature film, “The Time Travelers” by creatives Forest Woodward and Brendan Leonard, at select REI stores in March. Created in partnership with REI, the film documents an audacious attempt to break the Grand Canyon speed record by the U.S. Whitewater Raft Team. The premiere events, which will include appearances by members of the raft team, will take place at REI stores in Seattle, Atlanta, Washington, Bloomington, Minnesota, and Denver, March 3-9.

“This film is about eight ordinary guys, juggling jobs and families, trying to do something extraordinary — it’s a story that’s relatable and inspirational,” said Josh Weichhand, brand manager at Chaco. “Forest and Brendan are two of the most compelling and authentic voices in the outdoors right now, and we can’t wait to share what they’ve captured.”

After nearly a year of planning, on January 13, 2017, the U.S. Men’s Raft Team set off from Lee’s Ferry in a 48-foot experimental boat, with the goal of rowing non-stop through all 277 miles of the Grand Canyon and breaking the 34-hour speed record. Prior to the trip, the team had competed in whitewater raft races around the globe, but had never attempted anything like this. The trip required countless hours of training and a completely custom boat designed for speed. It proved to be the journey of a lifetime for the team.

“The Time Travelers” reunites Woodward, Leonard and Gnarly Bay Productions, the dynamic team behind the 2015 award-winning film, “The Important Places.” Woodward is a globe-trotting professional photographer, and Leonard is the author of two books and the “Semi-Rad” website. Gnarly Bay is a Rhode Island-based team of filmmakers recognized for their passionate approach to storytelling and their ability to capture images in epic places.

REI will host five premieres of “The Time Travelers” at select stores across the country. Each of the premieres will begin at 6:30 p.m. local time and will include a film screening, a moderated discussion and Q & A with members of the team, a gear raffle and free food and drinks. All events are free and open to the public with raffle proceeds going to American Rivers. The events are scheduled as follows:

  • Friday, March 3, at REI Seattle, 222 Yale Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109
  • Tuesday, March 7, at REI Washington, 201 M St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
  • Wednesday, March 8, at SweetWater Brewery, 195 Ottley Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  • Thursday, March 9, at REI Bloomington, 750 W American Blvd., Bloomington, MN 55240
  • Thursday, March 9 at REI Denver, 1416 Platte St., Denver, CO 80202

“The Time Travelers” will be available for free viewing on Chacos.com and REI.com beginning March 13, followed by its film festival debut at 5Point Film Festival in Carbondale, Colorado on April 19.

Watch the trailer for The Time Travelers.

Image courtesy Chaco