E55 - David Horkan - 2026 Vohondu Marathon 3rd Place K1

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with David Horkan, Irish ultramarathon paddler, adventurer, guide, and coach who just came in 3rd place K1 in the Vohondu Marathon in Estonia. We cover so much in this episode from getting started paddling at a young age through canoe polo, crossovers between show jumping horses and kayaking, the importance of consistent practice, the Liffey Descent, the Devizes to Westminster the race that changed his life, the Irish paddling scene and community, his attempt at the fastest solo circumnavigation of Ireland, the 2026 Vohondu Marathon, preparing the mind for ultra endurance efforts, the Irish Wildwater Racing Series, low intensity versus high intensity training, and guiding and coaching. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from David himself on this 55th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… David's Contact Info: -IG: @dhkayaking -Website: www.dhkayaking.com David’s book recommendations: -The Pacific Alone, by Dave Shively: https://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Alone-Untold-Kayakings-Boldest/dp/1493058436/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1#detailBullets_feature_div -Fearless, by Joe Glickman: https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-One-Woman-Kayak-Continent-ebook/dp/B00MJD6QE0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NHN81GYTJUNC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a1zMLJJt6jZL9AZBUy-Gbtb67J33fd_M4Wo6rxKCgVU.57HEJ8S4IBF7J94sIkOYTkvJOOfLukEueYvf2o9EEqQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=freya+hoffmeister+joe+glickman&qid=1778632136&sprefix=freya+hoffmeister+joe+glic%2Caps%2C416&sr=8-1 -A Voyage for Madmen, by Peter Nichols: https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Madmen-Peter-Nichols/dp/0060957034/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OGZ4F003K6QI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IMVwQe9OQTea81Npl7ah097PG6PQ0RfbJRW3F94PEcqRoSEPoSmE7cKKYdL86E6pAJO-XE_meIlXRiBLEvqrabQVrOeQmYpQxwDpT73b9-V6aXLCphJGo_qb4KWcVqgR.EBxRkGSG362zGTIZU8TBdlHYD1T0lWfVyioswFCro2c&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+voyage+for+madmen&qid=1778632259&sprefix=a+voyage+for+madm%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1