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Dale ‘Greybeard’ Sanders: The Man, the Myth, the Mississippi

Dale 'Greybeard' Sanders' motto is, “Someday I’ll get old.” His latest expedition proves that nothing can hold this octogenarian paddler back.

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Eighty-seven-year-old Dale Sanders is a legend, known for his grueling thru-paddle of the 2,300-mile Mississippi River back in 2022. Can’t imagine what that’s like? Well now, you can watch a full-length documentary about “Greybeard’s” impressive paddle record, and how he made it through.

“During his paddle, Dale goes into the character-forming events that shaped him into the man he is today,” the documentary description reads. “We learn about the nine world records that he has set, and he shares his philosophy on life that has kept him young at such an old age.”

Dale Sanders, The “Greybeard” Adventurer.

Sanders’ 2,340-mile-long journey, via canoe, traveled from the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca, Minn., to the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to his recent paddle, Sanders has also hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Trail, and the entire Appalachian Trail at the young age of 82.

The film was released on DVD and streaming services online earlier this month. In January, the Greybeard documentary won the “Audience Choice” award at the Lookout Wild Film Festival. In February, it was chosen to tour with Rapid Media’s Paddling Magazine Film Festival, after winning “Best Canoe Film.”

All that’s to say, Greybeard is a lovable legend, and this film is worth a watch.

Runtime (trailer): 4 minutes

Runtime (full documentary): 90 minutes

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