FORWARD, the film: A Story About Brotherhood + Redefining What’s Possible
Surfing. Skiing. Family. Community. FORWARD weaves all of these elements into a moving documentary that follows triplet brothers Clay and Tanner March as they pursue outdoor adventures. Set against British Columbia’s rugged landscapes—and deeply connected to their West Coast roots—FORWARD showcases not only remarkable athletes on waves and snow, but also the heart of a family story shaped by love, teamwork, and resilience.
Their sister, Amanda, and mom, Joanne, also appear in the film, offering a snapshot of the connection and inclusiveness at the heart of the journey. It’s no surprise the documentary is already lined up for 26 film festivals worldwide.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sold-out launch for a story with heart
When we spoke with Tanner March, producer of FORWARD, we quickly sensed the humility behind the project. He was still buzzing from their back-to-back sold-out premieres in Kelowna and Vancouver.
“We’ve been overwhelmed,” Tanner says. “Both premieres were private word-of-mouth screenings with family, friends, and sponsors. No public ticket sales, and still sold out. The response has been pretty magical.”
But the story that’s now reaching film festival screens started, as many good stories do, in a much quieter way. A family figuring out how to keep doing what they love, together.
A start as remarkable as the brothers themselves
The March brothers have an extraordinary origin story. On April 20, 1993, Joanne gave birth to just one of her triplets. Clay was born pre-maturely at 27 weeks, weighing just 2 pounds, 1 ounce. The medical team at Grace Maternity Hospital in Vancouver, BC, stabilized Joanne, and 45 days later, Tanner and Amanda were born. A gap that still stuns medical professionals today.
“Any time I tell that story, people are shocked,” Tanner says. “The longest gap doctors have managed since is about 44 hours.
Somehow, we made it six more weeks. That’s what allowed all three of us to be so healthy.”
Clay was born with cerebral palsy. Their parents worked incredibly hard to create as regular a childhood as possible. So, growing up, Clay joined in on everything, working around the challenges that came with Clay’s support needs.
“As a family, we really had to operate as a team,” Tanner explains. “There were a lot of stressors in those early years, but Mom and Dad were rock solid. We’re extremely close because we had to be.”
From the beach to the board
For years, Tanner surfed while Clay watched from the beach. It never felt quite right.
“Our family started going to Tofino every year. I’d be in the water, and Clay would be on the sand,” Tanner says. “So we started getting him out in the waves. First just playing in the water, then floating in a beach chair, then pushing him into waves on his back… and eventually I was riding behind him on the board.”
That progression became the foundation of FORWARD, an adaptive surf and ski journey that shows what happens when you stop deciding what’s “too dangerous” and start asking how to make it possible.
“People assume adaptive sports are too risky,” Tanner says. “But really, it’s no more dangerous than anyone else doing it, as long as you calculate the risk, prioritize safety, and have a strong team around you.”
What “adaptive” really means
If you haven’t heard the term adaptive sports before, that’s because it’s a new, more progressive term.
“’Para sport’ and ‘disabled sport’ are older phrases,” Tanner explains, “but they don’t quite capture the spirit of what’s happening now.
“Adaptive is very inclusive and safe as a term. It’s not about limitation; it’s about the way we adjust the equipment and support so someone can participate.”
And the impact is powerful. Every time Tanner and Clay head into the surf together, something happens.
“At first, people look terrified,” Tanner laughs. “They think we’re going to drown. Then they see us catch a wave and suddenly they’re crying on the beach, giving us hugs, saying it’s the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen.
“For us, we’re just surfing. But we started to realize there’s a story there and the seeds for FORWARD were planted.”
Clay, the brother at the centre of it all
So who is Clay, beyond the label of “adaptive athlete” or the story behind FORWARD?
“Clay has a way of bringing people together,” Tanner says. “He creates a sense of community and makes it safe to be vulnerable. He’s witty, funny, and an incredible public speaker. Give him a mic, and he’ll own the room.”
He’s now earned the nickname “Mr. Hollywood”—something Tanner shares with a smile.
“Clay struggled with finding a social circle at times. People can be unsure how to act around someone with a disability,” Tanner says. “But the film has blown that wide open. He has a strong social network now, and it’s been huge for his mental health.”
Why Forward matters
For Tanner, the goal of FORWARD is two-fold:
- To shift what we see in outdoor and adventure films, so it’s not only the top 1% of able-bodied athletes on screen, and
- To start a trend of representing adaptive athletes in surf and ski films—and hopefully inspire more stories like this.
“If you’re outside, pushing yourself, and surrounded by community, you’re doing something amazing,” he says. “That’s what matters.”
He also hopes the film will show families what’s possible.
“People have been told what’s possible for years,” he says. “But actually seeing it is different. When families watch FORWARD, it lights a fire. They start to see not just that it can be done, but how it can be done, and why it’s worth every ounce of effort.”
How to follow the journey
FORWARD is currently in the early stages of its festival run, with 26 film festivals entered across North America, Europe, and Australia. Many will offer online viewing as part of their programming, with broader distribution (think streaming platforms) to come after the festival circuit.
To follow the March brothers’ journey:
- Visit the film’s website to watch the trailer, see upcoming screenings, and join the email list for updates.
- Follow Tanner on Instagram at @tanner_march for behind-the-scenes photos and festival news.
In the meantime, the next time you’re watching the waves roll into Cox Bay, you might think of Tanner and Clay—two brothers who decided the ocean should be for everyone, and moved the story of adventure films forward in more ways than one.
