Paddling The Blue Podcast

Brian Wilson is the author of Blazing Paddles, a Scottish Coastal Odyssey where he shares his trip around the country, and Dances with Waves, about his journey around Ireland. Brian shares some of the fun folklore, stories of the people he met along the way, and a really creepy situation he found himself in. Connect: Birlinn Books Email Books: Blazing paddles Dances with Waves  

Today’s guest is Dennis Dwyer. Dennis has made several trips to Alaska, having driven from Louisiana to Alaska first in 1987. Dennis has written books on paddling Prince William Sound and the Inside Passage as well as running a popular online group dedicated to Inside Passage paddlers.  Connect: Inside Passage Sea Kayakers Facebook Learn: Alone in the Passage: An Explorer's Guide to Sea Kayaking o...

Today’s guest is Renata Chlumska. She is a legendary professional adventurer who brings an incredible history, having reached the Seven Summits, the highest points on each continent. Today she joins us to talk about another expedition that doesn’t involve high peaks, but one with great personal meaning to her. Join us as Renata describes paddling and biking 11,300 miles over 439 days covering 32 s...

John Huth is a Harvard physics professor, a paddler, and author of the book “ The Lost Art of Finding our Way ”.  We had a fascinating conversation about his different view of navigation using the world around us, what inspired him to write the book and how it can benefit you. Learn: The Lost Art of Finding Our Way (Amazon) Harvard Physics Faculty Website Personal Website Connect: Email  

Today’s guest is an inspiration to many. I found Catriona Woods through Facebook and followed her adventures throughout Ireland with great interest.  Catriona started paddling late in life and as a reaction to disappointing news. From day one, she sought the support of quality coaching and that, along with determination and good friends, have led her to some great life experiences. She brings an i...

Today I am pleased to bring you a really fun conversation with Jon Hynes.  Some of you may already know Jon from the acclaimed documentary with Sean Cahill, Sea Kayak Around Ireland. Others may know him from his work with the Irish Canoe Union, and others through the Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre. Today, we explore his take on adventure, preparation, and caring for the environment in which we p...

Today I am honored to bring you a conversation with the one and only, Nigel Dennis. Nigel has received more requests by other guests as a future guest. Thank you to GInni Callahan, Olly Sanders, and all the others who made the recommendation.  Today we talk about the founding of Sea Kayaking UK, formerly Nigel Dennis Kayaks, the creation of the Romany Classic, Easter Island, Cape Horn, Antarctica,...

Today I am pleased to bring you a great conversation with Alistair Wilson. Alistair has had an amazing life blessed with personal, family, and business successes, including two trips to the Olympics and the founding of Lendal Paddle. He is an original innovator in the world of paddle design and today we hear his story firsthand. Enjoy today’s episode with Alistair Wilson. Learn: Behind the Paddle...

Today you get to hear first hand from Richard Barnes. Richard recently completed a solo kayak crossing of the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand, in a kayak that he designed and built. His is only the second solo of the Tasman Sea and the first unassisted effort.  Level Six has been a great supporter of Paddling the Blue and they have stepped up again with a special offer just for you as a P...

We are coming to you today from one of our all-time favorite shows, Canoecopia, which is the world’s largest paddlesports expo, held in Madison, Wisconsin. This event is 100,000 square feet of canoes, kayaks, kit, outfitters, everything you can imagine, plus more than 100 speakers on an incredible array of topics.  Thanks to Stig Larssen and the entire Level Six team for the use of their booth to...

Today’s episode comes from the 28th annual Quiet Adventures Symposium in Lansing, MI.  We talked with exhibitors from the US Great Lakes region including chats with Chicago Adventure Therapy, Paddling Adventures Radio, the Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy, Paddle Antrim, and others working to educate paddlers, protect our waterways, and keep the Great Lakes great. Enjoy today’s episode from the...

Today we will be talking with a trio of guests, featuring none other than Dale “Greybeard” Sanders, and friends and fellow Mississippi River paddlers, Dan Faust and Matthew Briggs. Dale is a multi-time World Record holder for both paddling and hiking and is currently the reigning record holder as the oldest to paddle the Mississippi River source to sea at age 87. They had a great journey down the...

Dan Carr, volunteer extraordinaire and friend of Jonathan Hearn and Katie Sylvester from episode #76 joins me today to talk about the Maine Island Trail.  The trail extends along 375 miles of shoreline with more than 250 islands. Dan is going to share some of his favorite stories and a few of the must-visit islands along this paddler’s paradise.   Learn: Maine Island Trail Association Leave No Tra...

There’s something magical about islands to a paddler and that’s definitely true for Sean Pierce. For starters, he was the photo editor for Ireland’s foremost paddling guide book, Oilean (Irish for Island), so that should tell you something.  Sean is known in the Irish sea kayaking community for both his involvement in the Irish Sea Kayaking Association, but even more so for his passionate pursuit...

Who is Jake Stachovak, and why did I decide to make a special episode just about him? Well, Jake is a paddler, and I would say just like the rest of us, but he wasn’t. There was only one Jake Stachovak. Today’s episode will share some of the paddling highlights of the Great Loop trip that Jake brought to episode #2 while also hearing from just a few of his friends telling you about Jake as a perso...

Today’s guest is Joe Solomon, who joined me by way of referral from Madison Eklund from episode 73. He paddled the Ohio River and Mississippi River in support of mental health and we’ll talk with Joe about how paddling changed his life in more ways than one.  Enjoy today’s episode with Joe Solomon! Connect: Kayaking 4 a Cause Learn: Mississippi River Angels Adventure Crew Cincinnati Special offer...

Kwin Morris, Joe Lorenz, and Jeff Guy are members of the Stand Up For Great Lakes team. This hearty crew is working on completing Stand Up Paddleboard crossings of each of the Great Lakes. They've done Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior, and Erie and Ontario is next. We’re going to talk about what they’ve accomplished so far and what’s next.  Kwin, Joe, and Jeff have been with the team from the start...

Today I am joined by Jonathan Hearn and Kati Sylvester.  Jonathan and Kati embarked on an 88-day trip along the Maine coast and through the Canadian Maritimes. Join us for their adventure and hear about the gift they gave to themselves and their experience through this beautiful coastline. Learn: Maine Coast Heritage Trust Maine Island Trail Association Connect: @seekingwonderment (YouTube) Seekin...

Todays’s guest is Douglas Wilcox.  You may be familiar with Douglas' work testing boats and equipment. You can find his test results and trip reports online through Facebook, his website, and in magazines like Ocean Paddler over the years. He brings a natural curiosity to kayaking and that shows in today’s interview.  Douglas is a storyteller in every sense of the word, so get ready for us to cove...

Today I am talking with Steve Ramsay. Steve was referred to the show by Cyril Derreumaux. They met when Cyril was in the Yukon River Quest. The Yukon River Quest is one of the most iconic paddle races on the North American continent and you’re about to hear about it.  I know someone out there may be thinking, isn’t this a podcast about kayaking? It is, primarily, but it’s fun to mix it up sometime...

Today’s episode of Paddling the Blue features Madison Eklund.  At 26 and after three years of planning, Madison set off from Minnesota and paddled 1.600 miles solo through some beautiful territory to York Factory in Hudson Bay.  From farmland to sub-arctic, she experiences an adventure full of learning and the kindness of strangers. Books: Wilderness Rivers of Manitoba - Hap Wilson Canoeing with t...

Today’s episode of Paddling the Blue features Olly Hicks.  His accomplishments include rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean from the USA to England after 124 days at sea, and at the time he did it, he was also the youngest to row any ocean solo.  Olly also made the first row across the Tasman Sea from Tasmania to New Zealand, through 96 days alone on the notoriously wild southern ocean.  If you c...

Today’s episode features Cyril Derreumaux. Cyril is fresh off his successful quest to be the first person to cross from California to Hawaii by kayak using 100% human power.  In this episode he shares a lot about his preparation and the personal experience of making this trip. Planning, more planning, pain, perseverance, it’s all in this trip.   I caught up with Cyril as he was driving from San Di...

Joe Leach joins us today to share the story of his circumnavigation of the UK and a bit about his circuit of Ireland as well.  We get in-depth on the trip, the motivation, and the ups and down he experienced along the way.  It’s a great perspective from, at the time, a newer expeditioner taking on a huge challenge. We had some good laughs on this one, so enjoy today’s episode with Joe Leach. Conne...

Today I am joined by Kevin O’Sullivan. I was introduced to Kevin by Mick O’Meara.  If you recall, Mick joined me for episode 35 where he shared the story of his record setting 23 day circumnavigation of Ireland.  Kevin’s story is similar, but very different. While both Mick and Kevin are part of the brotherhood of those who have circled the Emerald Isle,  Kevin’s journey spanned 915 days. You hear...