"Fast And Clean" - by Nichols Productions - 2024 Restoration

"FAST AND CLEAN" follows a group of US whitewater paddlers attempting to make the US Canoe/Kayak Slalom team and then competing in the 1979 Canoe/Kayak Slalom World Championships held in Jonquiere, Quebec, Canada. It captures the essence of the sport in the late 70’s and early 80’s. For paddlers of later generations, it was an inspiration for them to join and compete in the sport. The film was made by Russ Nichols and Louise Holcombe Nichols (Morris) in 1979 and released in 1980. While the sport has evolved and some rules have changed since 1979, whitewater slalom remains similar and the goal of “FAST & CLEAN” holds true for today’s competitors.

The film was shot on 16mm film and was later converted to standard definition VHS and then DVD, but was never widely available on a digital streaming platform. The movie had been around for 43 years when Jef Huey, a C-2 paddler of that era and a production assistant on the original film, retired as a video editor and began a 2.5 year long restoration project. Dan Isbister, a K-1 paddler of that era, joined the production effort and raised money from people who had been depicted in the film and other paddling friends from this period of history. With a tremendous amount of Jef’s work, some hired labs, advanced digital tools and some volunteer experts from Jef’s editing world, this revised version of the film is now available.

The original producers Russ and Louise Nichols (Morris) have graciously allowed the film to be released publicly with the goal of inspiring new generations of racers. If any kayaking club would like a high def version of the film, please contact FastAndCleanMovie@gmail.com and if we’re still alive, we’ll get back to you.

FILM CHAPTERS & Timecodes:
0:00 - Dedication to Jamie McEwan (narrated by Jon Lugbill)
1:20 - Film Start
1:32 - Open at 1979 Canoe/Kayak World Championships in Jonquiere, Quebec, Canada
2:11 - Mascoma Slalom Race - New Hampshire, April 1979
3:06 - Intro to Slalom racing - Ocoee River, TN, Savage River, MD, Potomac River, MD, Spring 1979
5:40 - Feeder Canal Training - Near C&O Canal Lock 5, Bethesda, MD, Spring 1979
9:01 - Surfing at Rocky Island - Potomac River - Great Falls Park, MD, Spring 1979
10:10 - Savage River US Team Trials - Westernport, MD, May 1979
19:58 - 1979 World Whitewater Slalom Championships - Jonquiere, Quebec, Canada, July 1979
35:33 - Austrian K1-Team run - Sattler, Fauster, Wolfhardt.
36:49 - Credits

A DEDICATION:
All athletes build on the work of others. Most racers of the "FAST AND CLEAN" era would agree that there was one person whose achievements motivated our generation, and thus the dedication to Jamie McEwan. It wasn’t just Jamie’s 1972 Olympic Bronze Medal, it was the training regime he and brother Tom showed the “FAST AND CLEAN” generation of paddlers that we all built on.

MAY 11, 2024 PREMIER:
The Premier of the restored "FAST AND CLEAN" was held at the AFI Silver Theater in Silver Spring Maryland with about 200 in attendance, including the original producers and many of the paddlers featured in the film. This event was held 45 years after the Jonquiere racing season, and 44 years after the release of the film in 1980.

A video of most of these comments made at the Premier showing the talks by the following folks and can be seen at the link below:
Russ Nichols, about the making of the original film
Jef Huey, about the Restoration Project
Talk by Jed Hinkley of ACA and intro of 2024 Team Members/Coach
Q&A Session

   • Fast & Clean commentary From the May 11, 2...  

(This link will be replaced with a better version sometime this summer.)

Again, many thanks to Russ and Louise for making the original film and to all the people who supported the restoration of "FAST AND CLEAN". We hope this film is around for posterity.

OTHER LINKS:
Some more Feeder Canal History from Bill Endicott and others can be found at:
https://www.potomacwhitewater.org/pag...

The Current US Slalom Team could use your help too. More info at:
https://www.americancanoe.org/donatio...

Comments or requests for high-def access: FastAndCleanFilm@gmail.com

#FastAndClean