Beyond The Eddy Line podcast

The Columbia River, the largest river in the Pacific Northwest, stretches about 1,200 miles. From the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia Canada through Washington and Oregon to the Pacific Ocean. Neil Schulman is an ocean kayaker, lives in Portland, Oregon, returns to share his journey paddling sections of this remarkable river.

Warren Williamson is a self-taught designer who combined his woodworking skills and passion for paddling to building unique wooden kayaks. In this episode, we look into the type of boats he builds and how each is being used on the water. Here are some of his designs: https://www.coroflot.com/idezineit

One of my favorite parts of kayaking is witnessing the ever changing relationship between the land and the sea. At low tide, the shoreline transforms, exposing colorful rock walls, tide pools, and a hidden world that disappears beneath the waves just hours later. Roy Jantzen, author of Wildlife Weekends , joins us to reveal the fascinating lives of the creatures and the incredible and how much the...

Canoe Polo, also known as Kayak Polo, originated in Great Britain in the late 19th century. It is a fast-paced contact sport that demands advanced paddling skills, including rolling, edging, boat control, and constant situational awareness. My guest, Neil Schulman from Oregon, is both an experienced ocean kayaker and a competitive kayak polo player. In this episode, he explains how the skills deve...

The Race to Alaska (R2AK) kicks off this Sunday, June 14. About 70 teams will take on the 1,200 km (750-mile) journey from Washington State to Alaska, a race that can take up to three weeks to complete. While most competitors sail, a handful of determined sea kayakers choose to paddle the entire distance. Scott McDonald from Victoria, did it a few years ago . He shares the skills, preparation, and...

Personal goals are what drive us to improve, grow, and get better. Caroline Ross of Crosscurrents Kayak , lives in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and has set a personal goal to circumnavigate 40 small islands. So far, she has paddled 186.27 nautical miles (344.97 km). In this episode, she shares the challenges and highlights of this ongoing journey. https://crosscurrentskayak.ca/

Known for his skill and experience in dynamic coastal environments, Rowan Jones Pardy believes: " Rock gardening is the intersection where skills, technique, and energy meet." Growing up on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Rowan is a sea kayak guide and instructor who learned to paddle before he learned to walk. In this episode, we explore what it takes to paddle confidently in and around rocks...

Real learning happens outside the comfort zone. In this episode, I speak with Caroline Ross , owner of Crosscurrents Kayak on Central Vancouver Island. Caroline specializes in sea kayak training, including dynamic and moving water courses, and teaches a unique program called underwater, composure helping paddlers build confidence and control in challenging conditions. https://crosscurrentskayak.ca...

Large herring bait balls can still be seen along parts of the west coast of Canada and the United States. While salmon often gets most of the attention, this time of the year, herring are what truly bring the coast to life: attracting whales, sea lions, seabirds, and countless other marine species. Roy Jantzen, author of Wildlife Weekends is back to share insights about the herring spawn, the wild...

The west side of Haida Gwaii, BC , is one of the most exposed stretches of coastline in Canada. More complex than the east coast and offering a mix of reefs, current channels, exposed headlands and tidal currents with far fewer landing options. This 155 nautical-mile journey from Sandspit to Rose Harbour demands strong skills, careful planning. My returning guest, Finn Steiner , co-owner of SKILS...

“My days on the river are not done yet,” says Patricia (Pat) Jones, 72. Pat has taken on the Yukon River Quest 3 times, completing it twice, finishing second in the women’s category both times, and becoming the oldest woman to finish the race . one if them was a flood year. Waves reached up to 2 meters, and many boats capsized along the 715 km (444-mile) course of the longest paddling race in the...

The Yukon River Quest is the longest paddling race in the world. Its 715 km (444-mile) journey from Whitehorse to Dawson City, tracing routes shaped by the Klondike Gold Rush. Racers come from around the globe, competing in categories ranging from solo paddlers to eight-person canoe teams. My guest, Patricia (Pat) Jones , has taken on this challenge 3 times, completing the race twice and finishing...

To better understand communication and rescue in dynamic water, I invited back Robert Nissenbaum coastal kayak and Greenland style paddling instructor. In this conversation, Robert breaks down how he teaches behavior in moving water, and how decision-making, technique, and communication come together when conditions become dynamic like surf, Rock Gardening and Surf. rnissenbaum.com

We constantly face the tension between curiosity and comfort. When do we step outside our comfort zone? Explore or exploit? Are you a technical or a tactical paddler? Today’s guest is deeply interested in how paddlers make decisions. Finn Steiner, co-owner of Skills, is based in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, BC. A highly experienced kayak instructor and guide, Finn shares his perspective on the ex...

In this episode we will focus on the body/blade position during different strokes and the differences between euro blade and a Greenland paddle. To explain all that I invited Robert Nisenbaum who is a Coastal kayak and Greenland style paddling instructor based in Seattle Washington. rnissenbaum.com

Thomas Bechmann from the island of Fyn in Denmark, moved to Greenland for a year to gain experience paddling one of the most remote stretches of the Greenlandic coast. He paddled for 2 months, about 1600 kilometers from Assissut to Sisimiut. In this episode, he shares lessons from his solo expedition: What to do when the wind pulls you under the ice, why walruses are wary of white paddles, what ha...

Not many boutique, handcrafted boat builders are still around. One of them has been doing it for over 50 years on the west coast of Canada. On Quadra Island, Steve Schleicher of Rainforest Designs Ltd is the mind and hands behind Nimbus kayaks. In this episode, he joins me with Rob Bender of Nimbus Paddles to share insights into their newest boat design coming out this spring. A special thank you...

Designed and built in the heart of the Inside Passage on Quadra Island, BC, "Nimbus Paddles" shaped by the waters they’re meant to paddle. This boutique paddle maker owned by Rob Bender, and Damon Stapinsky. In this episode, Rob joins me to explore how paddling styles have evolved, how to match a paddle to the paddler and their style of paddling, and the question many paddlers face: is the paddle...

In this episode, Daryl Spencer has taken the Level 3 course three times. In our conversation he shares how each experience was different. Now on the path to becoming a Level 3 instructor himself, Daryl also offers practical advice for paddlers who are considering taking the course. Unlike Levels 1 and 2, where paddlers are introduced to new skills, Level 3 expects participants to arrive with a sol...

How do you turn goals into real progress on the water? In this episode, Mike Gilbert returns to talk about paddler development and the power of intentional practice. With more than 15 years as a sea kayak guide and instructor, and nearly half that time serving as President of Paddle Canada , where he helped shape and develop national training programs. In this episode he shares what it really take...

What does real risk management look like when planning a kayak trip? In this episode, we explore how to identify, prevent, and manage risks — from the early planning stages to decisions made on the water and even back on land. Preparation, sound judgment, and responsibility are at the heart of every successful trip. My guest Mike Gilbert, recognized as one of Canada’s top sea kayak instructors. Wi...

“The Tiny Little Needle” known as Deception Pass in Washington, will truly test your technique and your connection to the boat. In this episode, Chessy Knight breaks down the magic and mechanics of Deception Pass. Along a constantly shifting eddy line wedged between the rip current and the boiling water lies a dynamic playground for skilled paddlers. Chessy shares how she plays in giant whirlpools...

My returned guest is Annelisa Pedersen. She is a Paddle Canada Level 4 paddler, a rolling instructor, and a classical musician. She loves surf and dynamic water, and that’s exactly where she wants her students to feel comfortable. She’s back to share her insights on how to choose the right instructor for your paddling journey and why it is important when learning technical skills.

If the sound of current flooding -in excites you and the word “narrows” sparks visions of big possibilities, this episode is for you. Meet " The Swell Pirates". Five young skilled paddlers who came together to push their limits and support one another in dynamic water. Their favorite playgrounds include Surge Narrows , Okisollo Channel’s standing wave , and Ucluelet . My guest, Caelin Harris , exp...

Wildlife is a big part of our experience on the water — often heard before it’s ever seen. In this episode, we tune into the sounds of the coast with the help of Roy Jantzen, as we explore the voices of the wild that surround us while paddling. Roy spent his career as an educator in marine tourism, natural history, ecotourism, and climate change in tourism. He is also the author of several books,...