From First Rolls to Guiding Hands: Maddi Murphy’s Kayak Journey

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Dubcast with Dubside, we sit down with Maddi Murphy—paddler, performer, and mental health counselor-in-training—at the Delmarva Paddlers Retreat. Maddi first attended Greenland-style kayaking events as a child, rolling her first kayak at just 14, and has since grown into a thoughtful and dedicated mentor in the community.Dubside and Maddi explore her early introduction to traditional kayaking, what it was like to return to the sport as a teenager, and the rewarding (and sometimes frustrating) experience of teaching others to roll. Maddi shares powerful insights into the psychological barriers that can hold people back—especially those coping with fear or trauma—and how grounding techniques from her counseling work can help students regain calm and confidence on the water.From rolling progression to Dashboard Dramas, and from stiff old kayakers to the strength of young women, this is a rich, heartfelt conversation about growth, resilience, and finding joy in the water.Delmarva Paddler's Retreat