Paddling The Blue Podcast

In this episode, I am joined today by Dale Williams where we’ll talk about tackling the Unalga tide race, one of the fiercest tide races in Alaska’s Aleutian Island chain. Learn: Akutan Island Fox Island Passes (including Unalga Pass) Connect: Sea Kayak USA

Today I am joined today by Jon Turk. Jon is one of the world’s greatest living adventurers with an incredible resume of some of the most hardcore expeditions through the Arctic and beyond. Jon shares some stories from a few of his experiences and the path he took many years ago to find his personal power to fuel his adventures. Enjoy today’s episode with Jon Turk! Connect: Jonturk.net Books: Croco...

This episode features Simon Osborne. In this interview, we will talk about Simon’s experience, along with Marin Medak, paddling in South Korea, and all the uniqueness that comes with paddling in that part of the world. We’ll also touch on his expedition to Madagascar and his latest project, Online Sea Kayaking.  Learn more: Online Sea Kayaking Connect: info@onlineseakayaking.com Online Sea Kayakin...

Today we hear from Bonnie Perry. Bonnie is a special person to me as she was one of the first people who really welcomed me into the paddling community.  Bonnie always brings the fun and an infectious laugh to any paddling environment.  She is a very insightful coach, shaped in part by her unique day job as the Episcopal Bishop of Michigan, which comes in handy as she experienced on more than one...

In this episode, Jaime Sharp shares the amazing story of his team’s circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago.  The team included himself, Tara Mulvany, and PG Porsanger. This is a proper adventure full of incredible beauty, despite the environment and animals doing their best to try to kill you. Today’s episode is longer than most, but it’s a truly engaging story and well worth the time. Jaime...

Today we talk with Veiga Gretarsdottir. We will hear about her story circumnavigating Iceland, aptly named Against the Current, as that has been the story of her life. She’s a passionate paddler, like every one of us and I am certain that you’ll enjoy her story of perseverance and on living your life on your own terms. Enjoy today’s episode with Veiga! Connect: Veiga.is Facebook Learn more: Agains...

Australian Mark Sundin joins me for today’s episode of the Paddling the Blue. Mark is one of the founders of Expedition Kayaks, along with Rob Mercer. Mark and Rob have been responsible for bringing great kit to Australia for several years, along with designing their own line of boats.  Mark shares why Sydney is such an incredible place to paddle, recounts the story of an adventure to the remote N...

In today’s episode, James Manke will take us on an exciting journey down the Grand Canyon, in a sea kayak, with a Greenland paddle. You’ll learn about James first time on a river, how he used paddling to get past his fears, why he loves Greenland paddling. Enjoy today’s episode with James Manke! Learn more: Roll Across Canada Tour Greenland Bound-A Paddler's Pilgramage All Thing Qajaq Connect: Fac...

In this episode, John sits down with Mick O’Meara to talk about his record setting journeys around Ireland, his thoughts on training and preparation, keys to a successful expedition, whether you’re solo or as part of a team, and maintaining a true sense of adventure. Mick is a testament to the benefits of working hard to reach your goals and he has the results to back it up. Enjoy today’s episode...

Fi and James Corfe join Paddling the Blue to share their adventures. They started by teaching each other to paddle, did a few smaller trips, and then went big. In 2015, they became the youngest people to paddle around New Zealand's South Island. Then in 2017 they became the third self-supported and youngest to paddle around the North island. Their desire for an even more remote expedition took the...

John Willacy is well-known in the fast sea kayaking community as both a highly-accomplished paddler, a multi-time national champion, and designer of the Rockpool Taran . He holds numerous circumnavigation and crossing speed records as well as being the only person to have circumnavigated the UK both clockwise and counterclockwise. Today we will be talking with John about the paddling playground th...

Today’s guest is David Horkan.  David is a prolific racer, International Sea Kayak Guide Association Advanced Guide leading programs worldwide, and current and former speed record holder on a number of objectives. David joins us from his home along the northwest coast of Ireland. We’re going to talk with David about the Skelligs on the west coast and crossing the Irish Sea at night. We’ve even got...

Today I’m joined by Andy Cochrane, Luke Walker, and Wyatt Roscoe. In this episode, we explore a region that many have crossed in lesser craft. Their crossing of the Straits of Florida from Havana to Key West is quite a journey and was intended to bring light to the human cost of closed borders. We’ll talk about their trip, what they learned along the way, nerdy spreadsheets, training, and number 2...

Today we talk with Chev Dixon. Chev is the driving force behind the Hudson River Riders program in Yonkers, NY. Chev and his team are doing great things to grow the sport, engage communities of color in paddle sports, and create opportunities for youth in nature. We had a great conversation about the way paddling can impact the leaders of tomorrow in more ways than we might think. Support Hudson R...

Today’s guest is Jorgen van der Pol, also known as Kayak Cobber.  I first learned of Kayak Cobber when he posted a brief note on a Facebook group, casually mentioning his experience paddling from Holland to Moldova.  When he said he started with 1000 km upstream and had to pass through 80 locks, then got arrested, I knew I needed to share his story.  I learned that the obstacles he faced, and cont...

Today’s guest is Olly Sanders. Olly has brought together two of his passions, alpine mountaineering and kayaking and combined them together into some incredible experiences.  Highly-accomplished at both disciplines, Olly has been nominated for alpinism’s highest achievement, the Piolet D’or and nominated for honors from the Arctic Club. Today's story highlights some of Olly's favorite spots in Eas...

Today’s guest is Nick Schade. Nick is a boat designer and builder from Connecticut here in the USA.  Nick runs Guillemot Kayaks and his boat plans are some of the most widely built worldwide. In this episode, we learn how Nick got his start, dig into the process of designing a boat, and see what keeps him motivated to create new designs. Connect with Nick: Guillemot Kayaks Kayakplans.com YouTube M...

Today’s guest is Erin Bastian. We’re talking with Erin about her travels through the Mediterranean Sea, particularly the Greek Isles and Corsica. Erin also unveils a surprise upcoming adventure!   Connect with Erin: Evoke Adventure ErinBastian.com Facebook Instagram Learn more about and help support One Ocean Crew Island cruising resources: Videopilotbook Cruiserswiki Sailing maps (not for navigat...

Today's episode features the President and co-founder of Level Six, Stig Larsson. Stig shares his story of traveling the World Cup slalom circuit, gives us the inside scoop on the funny story of how Level Six got its name, provides some insight into technical wear design, and more. In this episode, we also announce a contest to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Paddling the Blue podcast! T...

Today we make our way back to the UK for a fascinating conversation with Jeff Allen. Jeff is joining us today from his sailboat, Wild Rover, to share the incredible story of his 2004 "Karma Waters" expedition around Japan with Hadas Feldman.  You’re going to love the learnings Jeff shares from this trip, both from a paddlers perspective and a human perspective. Enjoy today’s interview with Jeff!  ...

Today’s episode will feature the crew from Four the Water . This group of friends came together for a 102 day trip of a lifetime circumnavigating Lake Superior.  After some time guiding groups on day trips along Lake Superior’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, they had an understanding of the power of this inland sea. What they may have lacked in experience, they compensated for with youthful ex...

Today we’re going to Scotland to talk with Will Copestake about a trip he named Machair to Munro. Solo at 23 years old, Will spent a year traveling around Scotland by kayak and bike. It’s a incredible trip that combines two of his passions, paddling and climbing into one amazing adventure. I won’t ruin the surprise, so here we go. Enjoy today’s interview with Will Copestake.   Will is supported by...

Today we head to South America to hear Darcy Gaechter’s story. Darcy is the author of Amazon Woman and she shares the story of her 148-day expedition to become the only woman to have paddled the entire length of the Amazon River. Learn more about mining's effect on the Amazon at Ecuadorian Rivers Institute Connect with Darcy: DarcyGaechter.com Small World Adventures Facebook Instagram  

This episode features Beau Miles. He’s a film maker, writer, PhD, and a man of many adventures, some paddling, others more unique and equally fascinating (what's it like to eat 1919 tins of beans over 40 days?).  Today we’re talking about his attempt to paddle the incredibly complex, in so many ways, coast of Africa. Enjoy the interview with Beau! FInd Beau at: Beaumiles.com You Tube-Beau Miles  

Today’s interview is less about the actual paddling and more about the craft we use to paddle, and building and growing a business around paddlesports. Joey is a master boat builder and a magician with boat repairs. Today we talk about the boat building process, hear about the craziest repair Joey’s ever done, and get Joey’s thoughts on what you can do to keep your boat in good shape.  Enjoy the i...