The Indigenous war canoe racing world takes centre stage in Racing Waters, a new documentary series directed by award-winning Indigenous filmmaker Asia Youngman, which is set to premiere on APTN this fall. Ahead of its series debut, Racing Waters Productions Inc. and APTN have announced that the series has already been renewed for a second season, with production now underway.
The nine-episode first season, with each episode running approximately 22 minutes, will begin airing weekly on APTN in English on September 13, 2026, with episodes also streaming on APTN+. The series will later be released in Hul’q’umi’num on APTN Languages, expanding its reach to Indigenous-language audiences.
Inside the World of Indigenous Canoe Racing
Racing Waters follows the paddlers of the Island Brave Canoe Club from the Snuneymuxw First Nation, while also introducing audiences to Indigenous canoe clubs competing throughout the Pacific Northwest racing circuit.
Although built around the excitement and physical intensity of competitive racing, the series goes beyond sport to explore the communities and relationships behind the paddlers. Every stroke carries generations of history, responsibility and pride, while athletes face the pressures of earning seats, competing against experienced racers and supporting their teammates through victories and setbacks.
Led by respected Chief Mike Wyse Sr., the series follows racers as they compete in the Pacific Northwest war canoe circuit and pursue opportunities in outrigger racing on the international stage. The athletes range from first-time competitors to seasoned champions, creating a portrait of a community in which success is measured by more than simply crossing the finish line.
Season Two Expands the Journey
The early renewal allows Racing Waters to broaden its perspective in its second season. The new episodes will follow additional clubs throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Vikki Lynn Canoe Club and Rikkole Cree Canoe Club, while exploring new rivalries, communities and personal journeys both on and off the water.
Production for Season Two has already gone to camera, with filming expanding beyond the locations featured in the first season. New production locations include Victoria, Oregon, Washington, Oahu and Molokai in Hawaii, Singapore and Fort Langley.
The first season was filmed across British Columbia, including Agassiz, Cultus Lake, Comox, Musqueam, Saanich, North Vancouver, Cowichan Bay, Nanaimo and Cumberland. The production also travelled internationally and across Canada, with filming taking place in Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi in Brazil, Calgary, Alberta, and Lummi, Washington.
A Story About Community, Competition and Identity
For APTN, the early renewal reflects the potential of the series to connect audiences with a competitive sporting world while presenting a deeper story about Indigenous community and identity.
Adam Garnet Jones, Director of TV Content and Special Events at APTN, describes the series as an intimate look at the competitive world of Indigenous war canoe racing, highlighting the emotional range experienced by athletes, from victory and defeat to the pride of representing their Nation.
The series combines the adrenaline of racing with the quieter moments surrounding the sport, following athletes as they navigate competition, personal challenges and the responsibilities that come with being part of a community.
Asia Youngman Leads the Series
Asia Youngman Leads the SeriesDirector Asia Youngman brings extensive experience in both documentary and scripted filmmaking to Racing Waters. An award-winning Indigenous Cree-Métis director and screenwriter, Youngman has directed projects for Netflix, ESPN, Lifetime, PBS, History Channel, CBC, Bell Media, TVO, APTN and Telus.
Her recent work includes serving as second unit director on the seventh season of Netflix’s Black Mirror, as well as co-directing and executive producing ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary I’m Just Here for the Riot.
Youngman’s short documentary Delta Dawn premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival before receiving its U.S. premiere at DOC NYC. The film later won the Betty Youson Award for Best Canadian Documentary Short at Hot Docs in 2025, an Oscar-qualifying award.
Her earlier short films N’XAXAITKW and This Ink Runs Deep both premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Youngman has also participated in the TIFF Writers’ Studio, TIFF Filmmaker Lab, TIFF Talent Accelerator, the CHANEL Women Creators’ Network, the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women and Berlinale’s DocSalon Toolbox Programme.
Indigenous Storytelling at the Heart of the Production
Racing Waters is produced by Mike Wavrecan and contemporary Coast Salish master carver Luke Marston, with Carey Newman and Patti Poskitt serving as executive producers.
The production’s creative team includes director of photography Luke Connor, editors John Roney and Jovan Harmuth, and composer Jason Burnstick.
The series is produced by Racing Waters Productions Inc., an Indigenous-owned production company founded by Carey Newman of Kwagiulth and Coast Salish heritage and Luke Marston of the Stz’uminus First Nation.
The company focuses on premium documentary and factual programming rooted in authentic storytelling and meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities. Its team combines filmmaking, cultural knowledge, visual art and extensive production experience to develop projects that present Indigenous stories with authenticity and international appeal.
APTN Continues Its Indigenous Programming Legacy
The series is produced in association with APTN, which launched in 1999 as the world’s first national Indigenous broadcaster. Since then, the network has developed into a major platform for Indigenous storytelling, presenting programming across television, streaming and digital platforms.
Racing Waters adds another dimension to APTN’s programming by placing Indigenous sport, community and cultural identity at the centre of an energetic factual series.
The production is supported by the Canada Media Fund, Rogers Series Fund, Creative BC, the Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC, and the Government of Canada Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program.
When and Where to Watch
Racing Waters will premiere on APTN on September 13, 2026, with new episodes airing weekly. The series will also stream on APTN+, while a Hul’q’umi’num version will later be released through APTN Languages.
With Season Two already in production, Racing Waters is positioned to take audiences further into the competitive, cultural and deeply personal world of Indigenous canoe racing, expanding its story from the Island Brave Canoe Club to communities and racing teams across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
For more information about the production, visit Racing Waters Productions.
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