Lights, Camera, Canoe!

More than 50 Thames Yacht Club members gathered for a special local screening of the independent mockumentary Canoe Dig It on Friday, August 14, featuring New London resident and Thames Yacht Club member Troy Sill, who appears in the film.

Directed by Samuel Dunning, Canoe Dig It takes viewers deep into the little-known — and apparently very serious — world of freestyle canoeing.

Sill, a SAG-AFTRA actor, took center stage at TYC to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the film, explain how he landed the role, and answer questions from members. Naturally, once things got rolling, so did the jokes, with members happily paddling into the many Maine stereotypes.

The mockumentary follows some of the country’s top canoeists as they travel to the Moosehead Lake Regional Finals Competition in northern Maine to battle for the coveted title of “Top Paddler.” It’s a world of intense competition, serious paddling technique, and enough Maine flavor to make you say, “Ayuh.”

Sill plays Hecker, a plaid-clad local Maine bait shop owner who also serves as one of the judges of the freestyle canoe competition. Hecker is the kind of Maine character who presumably knows everything and everyone.

“It’s incredibly exciting to have one of our neighbors and Thames Yacht Club member in a feature film, and we couldn’t be happier to support Troy and celebrate this accomplishment with him. Troy is a valued member of our club, and we were proud to host the New London screening of Canoe Dig It.” – Thames Yacht Club Commodore Colin Redhead

“It was a great opportunity for our members and the community to come together, support a fellow member, and enjoy a fun night at the club, complete with a special dinner, ice cream, and, of course, popcorn,” said TYC Vice Commodore Nina Jeannotte, who decorated the club for the premiere, complete with a red carpet.

The evening at TYC gave our “from away” members (the Maine term for anyone who isn’t from the Pine Tree State), plenty of opportunities to laugh and have fun with the film’s Maine setting while supporting Sill. 

“It was quintessential Maine humor, and I loved it,” said Dave Jeannotte.

For Sill, the night was a chance to bring a little Hollywood — and a whole lot of Maine — to New London.

“I am grateful to so many people for making the event such a success,” said Sill. “Commodore Colin Redhead for saying yes to hosting the event, Marsha Couture for her outstanding publicity skills, and Vice Commodore Nina Jeannotte for transforming the clubhouse into a Hollywood opening-night wonderland!”

Among the many special guests were Lee Howard, editor of The Day, and Steve and Jenny Seagal of the Garde Arts Center.

The film is playing in select theaters in Connecticut and across the country.

Sill is a longtime performer with numerous Off-Broadway credits, including Trial on the Potomac, starring Rich Little. He has also appeared in a number of film and television productions.

For Sill’s complete screen credits, visit Troysill.com or check out his profile on IMDb.