The Paddler's Pod

Bonnie Hancock is back at home on the Gold Coast... and now, back at home on The Paddler's Pod. In an extended interview, Hancock reveals the hidden pain behind her 12,700 kilometre circumnavigation of Australia and the brutal injuries that came with it. We knew she was tough, but we didn't show she had to face challenges like this. The highs and the lows, it's all in here as Sam & Macca help...

The boys are back down under and straight back to work after a huge trip to the Gorge. They're not alone - Oscar Chalupsky is an author, the WA Race Week has put up $260,000 and Sydney surfski paddlers have been given a safety serve... there's plenty doing! Sam also checked in with canoe marathon champion Andy Birkett and chatted about his transition to the holy world of surfski. This episode of T...

The first major international race since the COVID-19 pandemic began did not disappoint! The world's best paddlers were flying at the Gorge Downwind Championships, and somewhere amid all of the action, Sam & Macca were able to record a new episode. The boys completely breakdown the race and those who stood out, before chatting with one of the greatest pioneers our sport has seen, Greg Barton....

The Paddler's Pod is coming to you LIVE from Hood River in the USA ahead of the Gorge Downwind Champs! International racing has returned and Sam and Macca are right there in the thick of it, breaking down the form guide ahead of the big race. One of the front-runners Ana Swetish drops by to provide a local perspective on the huge week.

The boys are men of their word... well, this time at least, anyway. Get up to date with all of the latest talking points in the surfski world with this special episode, 'The Catch Up'.

The Paddler's Pod is BACK! And it has a bit of everything in this episode. The boys re-live the 'world's slowest drag race' that they shared at the Hells Gates 38, they break down the South African National Championships, Sam completely loses his mind in the longest rant the Pod has ever seen, before they're joined by the great Jasper Mocke! Jasper reflects on the highs and lows of his incredible...

He has done just about everything there is to do in the world of surfski... and now, Hank McGregor can claim to be a guest on The Paddler's Pod! The all-time legend opens up about his future racing plans, driving ambitions, and the learning journey that turned him into a champion. Sam & Macca also break down all of the latest results from around the globe - with the Aussies and South Africans...

Well, five people asked... so Sam & Macca have delivered. The Paddler's Pod is stepping away from the world of downwind paddling for just one episode to break down all of the surfski action from the Australian Surf Lifesaving Titles. This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Vaikobi!

He's soared to the top of surfski racing, but now Jackson Collins can lay claim to his biggest achievement to date... a guest spot of The Paddler's Pod! The Australian all-rounder chats with Sam & Macca about how paddling was his 'Plan B', his introduction to it, and... yep... even the 2019 Dash for Cash in Perth. It's possibly the best story ever shared on the Pod. Sam & Macca also try an...

Macca is BACK!  Call off the search party, Mackenzie Hynard has come home to The Paddler's Pod and we are stoked about it. It's great timing, as there's some HUGE racing news to discuss with a star paddler switching manufacturers, another celebration of blokes being bested by a brilliant female paddler, as well as a really serious discussion about a hidden health time-bomb. Legendary ironman...

It's hard to believe this is Austin Kieffer's first appearance on The Paddler's Pod, but nonetheless, he and Sam certainly make up for lost time. The American surfski star helps break down the future of the Molokai Challenge, the return of Sean Rice and receive an update from Bonnie Hancock on her Shaw and Partners Paddle Around Aus. Austin also shares his incredible journey to the top of elite ra...

Racing is back! But Macca is not. So Sam has wrangled in Australian sprint king Mitchell Trim to chat through the latest in the surfski world. The boys struggle to comprehend the downwind record smashed by Cape Town's Dale Robinson, discuss the cancellation of the Molokai Challenge and give their first-hand insights into the Bridge to Beach, won by Tom Norton and Danielle McKenzie. Sam then dives...

It's our (soft) launch for 2022! Sam is joined by guest host Mackenzie Morgan in the podcast studio to talk through a huge start to the year. The Australian Ocean Racing Series begins, the World Championships are confirmed... and after two years, there's cause for optimism for international events! This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Wash Rider.

One more time for 2021! Sam & Macca return for the last time this year to breakdown all of the action and excitement from the Cape Point Challenge. That includes speaking with the newly-crowned champion Nick Notten, who drops by for a really insightful conversation about his incredible run of victories, his paddling upbringing and his rivalry with his best friend Kenny Rice. This episode of Th...

Back in one week! That's some kind of record, right?  There's plenty to talk about as Sam & Macca (yep, he's back!) break down a PUMPING 20 Beaches and also look ahead to the Cape Point Challenge. Sam also checks in with Jemma Smith after her incredible victory and finds out how she balances her career downwind, in sprint kayaking and as one of Australia's best surf ironwomen. This episod...

Sam & Macca are back... but not the Macca that you're expecting! Work has sidelined Mr Hynard, but is in his place is ANOTHER Mackenzie who loves paddling all the same. Menz and Sam discuss the upcoming long-distance expeditions, Jasper Mocke's PE2EL triumph, the huge end of year showdowns and also have a chat to Bonnie Hancock! The ironwoman legend is ready to set off on her paddle around Aus...

It's a round-the-world trip on this episode of The Paddler's Pod! The boys place 'Dougal's Epic Adventure' in the spotlight as he crosses Europe, head to Brazil with the great Oscar Chalupsky and cover off racing in Ireland and down under in Australia. After a LOT of wrangling, Tom Norton finally jumps on for a chat with Sam & Macca, covering off his incredible season, his Tasmanian upbringing...

School's out for Macca, so The Paddler's Pod is back! The boys start wading their way through all of the latest surfski news right around the world.. and it starts with the big stuff - should surfski races have run finishes? From there, it's all things big waves, creative cross-training and racing results, before checking in the the 2021 European champion and World Championship bronze medallist, J...

We don't want to talk it up... but it is undoubtedly the most incredible, breathtaking and miraculous surfski story you've ever heard! Sam & Macca are back to try and make sense of a freak occurence, while also looking at what's next for racing in this age of uncertainty. Their Olympic Fever hasn't quite left just yet, so they check in with 2015 Ocean Racing World Champion and New Zealand's fi...

Sam & Macca have finally dragged themselves away from their TVs to jump behind the mic... and they have Olympic fever! The boys argue about whether surfski deserves to be included in the greatest show on earth, while also covering the revolutionary new surfski program, pumping conditions at The Gorge and some first-class banter from our new World Champion. They're also joined by the other, muc...

Guests on The Paddler's Pod don't come any more high-profile than this! As part of The Paddler's Profile series, Sam had an expansive chat with former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about his love of paddling, how it's influenced his career... and of course, threw him into the 10 Doubles segment! This podcast delivers the full conversation, LIVE from Mr Turnbull's sea kayak on the pris...

The 2021 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships have been run and won... now Sam & Macca are here to talk through the action! It's a World Champs Special from the boys, breaking down the standout performances - and weigh into the hot talking point!

The ICF Ocean Racing World Championships are just days away... and it has the boys excited! Sam & Macca are back to preview the big race, while also talking safety, record downwind splits and even cover some recent surfski crime! Thankfully, it has a happy ending. Ahead of the big race, Gordan Harbrecht joins The Paddler's Pod to chat about his preparation, his background and the rise of Germa...

He's an ironman icon, an Olympic medalist and a five-time Molokai Champion... now the great Grant Kenny is a guest on The Paddler's Pod! Sam & Macca pick GK's brain for some tips and local's knowledge ahead of the Shaw and Partners Hells Gates 38 and hear some  remarkable  stories in the 10 Doubles. The boys also break down the Forster Race Week, reflect on Cyril Derreumaux's attempt...

Alright, alright... we know! But the boys are back - and they have a pretty good excuse. It's our LONGEST episode to date and it's worth the listen. There's a real 'exploration' theme to this one... Sam & Macca check in with Cyril Derreumaux ahead of his cross-Pacific voyage, they chat to Valentin Henot about his adventures sailing around the globe, and of course, cover off all of the latest n...