Paddling The Blue Podcast

63:07

#175-57 Days Around Lake Superior: Conny Simes Solo...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/10/05

Today's episode is an encore presentation of my June 2024 interview with Conny Simes about her 57‑day, 1,134‑mile solo circumnavigation of Lake Superior. Conny describes the changing landscapes—from the Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks to the remote Pukaskwa coast—along with the logistics, weather, and resupply challenges she faced.The episode also explores how the journey supported Conny’s personal recovery while managing Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome, the people she met, safety lessons, and practical

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37:47

#174 - Performance Paddling with Chris Hipgrave encore

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/09/21

Today's episode is an encore presentation with Chris Hipgrave about performance paddling and the balance of physical, technical, and mental skills across disciplines—from slalom and wildwater to surf ski and sea kayaking.We cover surf ski racing (including the Gorge Downwind Championships), expedition guiding in Bhutan and Antarctica, forward-stroke technique, training motivation, and practical advice for pursuing big paddling goals.

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51:58

#173 - Graybeard Returns: Setting records on land and...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/09/07

Last week, Dale "Greybeard" Sanders reclaimed his record as the oldest person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail at age 91. For the second time. I spoke to Dale and two of his paddling companions, Dan Faust and Matt Briggs, in 2023 after Dale regained his crown, also for the second time, as the oldest to paddle the Mississippi River source to sea at age 87. In honor of Dale’s thru-hike and his incredible perseverance, I am pleased to replay my interview with Dale, Dan, and Matt about their 87 day

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48:21

#172 - Three Peaks, One Paddle: Emma Reasbeck’s...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/08/24

Emma Reasbeck combines sea kayaking and trail running to complete a unique version of the UK National Three Peaks Challenge, traveling from Snowdon to Ben Nevis by a mix of paddling and running.Today's episode covers her journey from a London office career to guiding in Anglesey, Norway, and Antarctica, the emotional motivation of supporting her mother and the CoppaFeel! breast cancer charity, and lessons learned about confidence and adaptability. CoppaFeel! Emma's JustGiving page for CoppaFeel UK

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58:55

#171 - 36 years of record breaking kayaking around...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/08/10

Today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast is an encore conversation with Mick O'Mara about his multiple circumnavigations of Ireland — from a 1990 team effort to his solo 2015 record and his latest 20-day rebreak. Mick discusses preparation, training, expedition strategy, managing solo vs. team dynamics, gear choices, and overcoming physical setbacks.Before we get to our encore presentation with Mick: James Stevenson and Simon Osborne at onlineseakayaking.com continue to produce great

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45:28

#170 - Rapids to round Ireland with Wild Atlantic...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/07/27

Today's encore episode of Paddling the Blue features Jon Hynes sharing stories from the Cork coastline, his love for Fastnet Rock, and his solo crossings, plus why adventure, preparation, and resilience matter.He discusses teaching philosophy, “train dirty” skill-building, environmental stewardship for paddlers, and practical tips for planning large expeditions. The episode is a mix of inspiring adventure, coaching insight, and a call to care for our coasts. Learn: Wild Atlantic Way-Ireland's

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47:33

#169 - Developing paddling skills and confidence and...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/07/13

Elaine Alexander, or Shooter as she is known to friends, joins today’s episode of the podcast to speak about her late start in paddling, training and teaching at Share Discovery Village, and the determination that led to a solo circumnavigation of Ireland — 71 days with 51 on the water, stormbound moments, and life-changing encounters.The episode highlights the generosity of coastal communities, the support network that made the expedition possible, Shooter’s fundraising and advocacy work including

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60:25

#168 - Kayaking 315 Miles Down Florida’s St. Johns...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/06/29

Daniel Robison recounts his lifelong love of paddling and his expedition to paddle all 315 miles of Florida’s St. Johns River. Join us as we talk about changing ecosystems from swamp to brackish estuary, close encounters with wildlife including alligators and manatees, and the challenges of navigating shallow canals and wide lakes. About the St. Johns River St. Johns Riverkeeper To Rivers End by Daniel Robison What is a Nutria?

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49:42

#167 - Katie Carr - Moderate becoming good later...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/06/15

Today's episode is an encore presentation of a November 2023 interview with Katie Carr about her brother Toby’s ambitious project to kayak in every area of the BBC Shipping Forecast and the books that followed: Moderate Becoming Good Later and Thundery at Times. Katie describes how she turned Toby’s notes and recordings into a book, took up sea kayaking to finish the remaining regions, and relied on the global paddling community while navigating grief and personal growth. Get your copy of Moderate

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46:01

#166 - Kayaks to Classrooms: Building an...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/06/01

Steve Maynard joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast to talk about about his journey from sea kayaking instructor to professor of Expeditionary Studies at SUNY Plattsburgh. We discuss how the program works, capstone expeditions, mentoring, and the credentials and experience that shaped his teaching and coaching.The episode also explores some of the paddling dogma in our sport along with some of Steve's favorite paddling venues from Wales to down‑east Maine. Resources: Personal

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69:18

#165 - Crossing Nicaragua: 16 Days of Human-Powered...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/05/18

Caleb McIntyre recounts a life-changing 16-day (mostly) human-powered crossing of Nicaragua — mixing kayaking and cycling to move from the Pacific to the Caribbean. He describes logistical challenges (customs, transporting kayaks), dramatic lake crossings, time in remote archipelagos, crocodile filled rivers, and the unique culture and people he met along the Rio San Juan.The episode highlights expedition planning, risk management, and how packable TRAK kayaks made the trip possible, while

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48:04

#164 - Six Ways Around Ireland: Multi‑Craft Ireland...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/05/04

Today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast features Rob Henshall, who has circumnavigated Ireland six times in six different craft — from a Nordkapp kayak to a Contessa sailboat, plus a laser dinghy, a windsurfer, and more. Rob shares how he started on the water, the minimalist gear that carried him around the island, and what kept him going through 66 days and countless challenges.Along the way he recalls near‑misses (including a foggy night with a container ship), close encounters with

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56:08

#163 - 25 Years of Keeping Paddlers Warm and Happy...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/04/13

Chris Reed joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast to share the 25-year story behind Reed Chillcheater, from developing the Aquatherm fabric and UK-based production to creating innovative paddling garments used by kayakers, anglers, mountaineers and the film industry. Staying small and focusing on what’s important to him has kept the business grounded.The episode also covers Chris's personal paddling experiences, his embrace of the Greenland stick, community-focused business ethics,

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70:40

#162 - Four Years, One Canoe, One Happy Dog: The...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/04/06

Jennifer Gosselin and Pierre Pepin quit the rat race, sold everything, and spent four years paddling a canoe across North America with their dog Jasmine by their side, following historic fur trade routes and the Great Loop. Along the way they faced extreme weather, long portages, wildlife encounters, and unexpected kindness from locals. Join us as we talk about their planning and challenges, memorable human connections that sustained the journey, and what’s next as they build an expedition sailboat

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57:12

#161 - Live from Canoecopia 2026

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/03/23

Recorded live at Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin, today's episode of Paddling the Blue features interviews with a wide range of guests: activists protecting the Boundary Waters, the team behind the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, international trip operators from Kayak Portugal, organizers of the MR340 endurance race, and makers of paddles and boats sharing design and craft insights.Thanks to Chris Hipgrave and the P&H Sea Kayaks / Pyranha Kayaks team for making space in

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40:54

#160 - Quiet Adventures 2026 Live: Adaptive Kayaks,...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/03/09

Today's episode was recorded at one of our favorite events, the Quiet Adventures Symposium in Lansing. Today's episode features conversations with paddlers, conservationists, and accessibility advocates across Michigan.Guests include Anna Green, a Junior World Orienteering competitor, Team River Runner, Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, the Flint River Watershed Coalition, the League of Michigan Bicyclists, and the Michigan DNR Trails team. While not all

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44:30

#159 - Noatun’s Route: One Man’s Kayak...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/02/23

Many of us dream of adventures like circumnavigating Ireland and as far as I’m concerned, that’s a pretty lofty goal, and definitely on my list. And then there’s Urban Heupgen...Urban has unexpectedly found himself on a quest to undertake a bold journey to circumnavigate Europe. Join me as Urban and I talk about his humble start, how he found himself on this path, and just how big his plans are for the future. Noatan’s Route (Google Map) Urban Heupgen (Instagram)

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60:04

#158 - Kayaking Madagascar: Chasing the Mangoky...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/02/09

Oscar Scafidi is a schoolteacher turned explorer specializing in Africa. Oscar joins today’s episode to share his expedition to kayak Madagascar’s Mangok River from source to sea. Oscar describes the months of planning, the grueling approach to the source, and the challenges of navigating largely unexplored river sections.Today's episode covers heavy portages, unpredictable terrain, local guides and communities, wildlife encounters (lemurs, crocodiles and more), and the logistics of carrying a

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50:05

#157 - How a class project packrafting in Nepal led...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/01/26

Alex Lalonde joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast to talk about about his path from packrafting whitewater rivers in Nepal to taking over the iconic Body Boat Blade instruction and guiding company. Alex shares stories from a 40-day Nepal expedition, favorite paddles and venues in the Pacific Northwest, and the challenges of reopening a specialty paddle shop.Karnali river Burrows Island Allan Island (private, permission required to visit) Deception Pass Cypress Island Matia

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57:46

#156 - Paddlesports Coaching and Kayaking the Bahamas...

Paddling The Blue Podcast ·

2026/01/12

Welcome to today's episode of the Paddling the Blue, featuring guest Eila WilkinsonIn this episode Eila discusses her coaching philosophy, Paddle UK pathways and qualifications, the importance of using your feet and core in kayaking, and dramatic expedition stories including surf, rescues and navigation challenges in the Bahamas. Eila Wilkinson Sea Kayaking Andros Island Wolf's Kayaking Club - Bahamas

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