PADDLE OUT is playing at SBIFF (Santa Barbara International Film Festival), and I had the opportunity to see an early look – here’s my Spoiler Free take:

PADDLE OUT destroyed me. It’s an emotionally gut-punch about love, community, and never giving up on your passions. It follows Melissa Pappageorgas, a 33-year-old with cystic fibrosis who fell in love with the healing power of surfing.

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Filmmaker Sebi Lee caught the best wave by deciding to make a documentary about the majestic Melissa Pappageorgas. I felt uplifted while watching Melissa brave the waters with an oxygen tank. Then, watching her navigate the most challenging times in the hospital with breathing trouble reminded me of supporting my sister through cancer and my dad, who has utilized all the same breathing aids and tests Melissa was on due to lung complications. Yet, the people I most related to were her family and Joey (her partner). They formed a bond to serve Melissa and aid in her illness that’s instantly relatable for anyone who’s supported loved ones with a chronic illness.

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Despite having a lot of hospitals and sickness, PADDLE OUT spends most of its time in the water. The film is beautifully shot, with several extreme close-ups that add to the narrative’s intimacy. Seeing the surfing community support Melissa’s journey to be in the water is heartwarming perfection.

My 12-year-old stepson, who wants to be a pro-surfer, claimed he doesn’t feel okay if he’s not in the ocean daily. I never believed that the ocean’s water factually can help people heal. However, it’s proven to heal people with CF. Melissa’s journey opened my eyes to the healing power of the ocean and how my stepson and others connect to it.

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Melissa was a force of nature. Her lung capacity was limited, but her heart was bigger than most. Her story is inspiring (despite her not wanting people to say that), and it’s one wave that audiences should seek out and ride. Thanks to Melissa’s passion for life, I’m still crying, motivated, and believing that magic does exist. We just have to look for it since it can come in any shape, size, or animal. Even hummingbirds.

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Aaron "Dobler" Goldstein

Spoiler Free Reviews