Shoreline Documentary

The Story of SHORELINE

SHORELINE: The Paddle Against Plastic is an environmental documentary that highlights the problem of plastic pollution in the great lakes. The story follows A Greener Future’s Executive Director, Rochelle Byrne, as she embarks on a 430km paddle journey across Lake Ontario to raise awareness about the impact of plastic on the environment under the looming shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having done hundreds of litter cleanups along the shores of Lake Ontario, Byrne has seen the effects of plastic pollution on Lake Ontario firsthand. To date, A Greener Future has picked up more than 4 million pieces of litter from the shores of Lake Ontario and beyond as a means of protecting and preserving an environment that needs to be saved.

With the pandemic stifling plans to run public litter cleanups in 2020, Byrne took to her paddleboard to try and make the difference that needs to be seen in the Canadian environment.

SHORELINE highlights the intersections between recreation and environmental stewardship, showing the impact just one person can make with enough determination. This determination inspires Canadians and environmental stewards from around the world to care and to help build a more green environment, one that is sustainable for a lifetime.

Film poster of Rochelle Byrne holding her paddle board on the shore of Lake Ontario. She is looking out at the calm blue water with her brown hair in a braid, sunglasses on her head, wearing a black and blue rashguard.

Reviews

“Shoreline is a fantastic display of the impact that one person can make with a paddle in their hands. What an incredible feat Rochelle’s Journey around Lake Ontario was, and for such a powerful cause. This educational film inspires us to do better for the planet, one beach clean up at a time! Way to go Rochelle!”

— Maddi LeBlanc, Pro Stand Up Paddle Border, Team Canada

“Each of us, individually, has an obligation to care for the natural resources of this Province. Rochelle’s story is an inspiration and should motivate us all to reduce our waste and look to a circular economy solution for a healthy, more resilient future.”

— The Honorable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Watch Now!

“In this inspiring and informative documentary, Rochelle Byrne stand up paddle boards Lake Ontario’s Shoreline from Kingston to Niagara-on-the-Lake. She Showcases the important work she is doing with A Greener Future to raise awareness about plastic pollution in Lake Ontario. Stunningly shot, SHORELINE raises thought-provoking questions about our relationship to this precious natural resource, as well as Virtual Activism in the Age of Technology.”

- Mark Mattson, President of Swim, Drink, Fish and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper

Meet the Team

Rochelle Byrne

PRODUCER + PADDLEBOARDER
Rochelle is the Founder and Executive Director of A Greener Future. After falling in love with the sport of stand up paddle boarding, Rochelle embarked on a 430KM journey across Lake Ontario to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the lake.
Paul Whitaker

CO-DIRECTOR, CAMERA, EDITOR
Paul is a UK-born videographer and visual artist. Having spent 2.5 years living near the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto, Paul has developed a passion for protecting the lake and hopes to use Shoreline to raise awareness about plastic pollution.
Chelsea Brash

CO-DIRECTOR, CAMERA, EDITOR
Chelsea is a Canadian visual communications specialist newly based in the UK. Having grown up in the Toronto area, she developed a strong bond with Lake Ontario and has been fortunate to use her visual media skills to protect the lake she loves so much.