Paddling The Blue Podcast
by John Chase
John Chase interviews inspiring paddlers from the US and across the globe doing great things from the seat of a kayak. If you want to learn about sea kayaking destinations, trips, and personalities from the world of paddle sports, we have you covered!
Episodes
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#177 - 124 Days Kayaking Russia's Kamchatka & Chukotka to the Bering Strait with Ivan Klochkov
Today’s guest is Ivan Klochkov. Ivan recently completed a 124-day 3,800 km sea kayak journey along the Kamchatka Peninsula, one of the most remote coasts and one of the most unique and wild areas of the world. Today, we talk about the paddling scene in Russia, his inspiration for the trip, his...
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#176 - Kayaking the Falkland Islands and Norway collecting plastic with Marcus Demuth
Today’s guest on the Paddling the Blue podcast is Marcus Demuth. Marcus has amassed an incredible list of significant paddling accomplishments worldwide, from Ireland to Tierra del Fuego and so many places in between. Today we talk about his experience as the first to circumnavigate the Falkland...
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#175-57 Days Around Lake Superior: Conny Simes Solo Sea Kayak Odyssey encore
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,...
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#174 - Performance Paddling with Chris Hipgrave encore
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),...
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#173 - Graybeard Returns: Setting records on land and water at age 91 with Dale Sanders encore
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...
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#172 - Three Peaks, One Paddle: Emma Reasbeck’s Coastal Challenge with a Purpose by Kayak and Foot
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...
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#171 - 36 years of record breaking kayaking around Ireland with Mick O'Meara encore
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....
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#170 - Rapids to round Ireland with Wild Atlantic Warrior Jon Hynes encore
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...
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#169 - Developing paddling skills and confidence and listening to yourself with Elaine Shooter Alexander
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…
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#168 - Kayaking 315 Miles Down Florida’s St. Johns River with Daniel Robison
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...
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#167 - Katie Carr - Moderate becoming good later kayaking the shipping forecast with Toby Encore
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...
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#166 - Kayaks to Classrooms: Building an Expeditionary Studies Career with the Paddling Professor Steve Maynard
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...
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#165 - Crossing Nicaragua: 16 Days of Human-Powered Adventure with Caleb McIntyre
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...
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#164 - Six Ways Around Ireland: Multi‑Craft Ireland Circumnavigations with Rob Henshall
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...
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#163 - 25 Years of Keeping Paddlers Warm and Happy with Chris Reed
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...
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#162 - Four Years, One Canoe, One Happy Dog: The North American Odyssey of Jennifer Gosselin & Pierre Pepin
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...
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#161 - Live from Canoecopia 2026
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...
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#160 - Quiet Adventures 2026 Live: Adaptive Kayaks, Orienteering Worlds, River Stewardship, and more from Lansing, MI
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...
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#159 - Noatun’s Route: One Man’s Kayak Circumnavigation of Europe with Urban Heupgen
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...
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#158 - Kayaking Madagascar: Chasing the Mangoky Source to Sea with Oscar Scafidi
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...
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#157 - How a class project packrafting in Nepal led to a kayak career with Alex Lalonde
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…
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#156 - Paddlesports Coaching and Kayaking the Bahamas with Nigel featuring Eila Wilkinson
Welcome to today's episode of the Paddling the Blue, featuring guest Eila Wilkinson In 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...
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#155 - Paddling Florida's Great Calusa Blueway: Mangroves, Mounds & Manatees with Mike Hammond
Mike Hammond oversees the Great Calusa Blueway, a nearly 200 mile paddling trail in Florida’s Lee County. Mike joins today’s episode to talk about the area’s fascinating indigenous history, its interesting utopian history, the beauty of the trail, and why this might be your next paddling...
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#154 - Multi-modal solo kayaking and cycling on the US west coast and the Inside Passage with Katrin Tomanek
In this episode Katrin Tomanek describes how she moved from climbing to kayaking and developed a style of multiimodal trips that combine sea kayaking and cycling to minimize driving. She shares how she learned skills, used careful planning and spreadsheets, and progressed from local trips to big...
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#153 - Kayaking Dominica's Waitukubuli Sea Trail with Wes Moses
Wes Moses operates the Soufriere Outdoor Center in Dominica. Wes joins the show today to talk about the Waitukubuli Sea Trail in Dominica — a 66 km sea kayaking route that highlights volcanic landscapes, sulfur baths, sea arches, snorkeling sites, and vibrant Creole villages. If you’re interested...
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#152 - Kayaks, Kiviak & Ketosis: A 3,200 km Greenland Experiment with Paddling Chef Mike Keen
Paddling Chef Mike Keen shares his solo 3,200‑km kayak journey up the west coast of Greenland, where he lived on a traditional Greenlandic Inuit diet of seal, whale, fish and fermented foods while researchers tracked his health and microbiome. In this episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast, we...
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#151 - Breaking Waves & Records: Billy Butler's Kayak Endurance Push
Endurance paddler Billy Butler joins today's episode to talk about his transition from rivers to sea kayaking, recent record-setting performances, and the training and preparation behind them. The episode covers highlights like the Isle of Wight and Anglesey circumnavigations, a North Sea…
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#150 - Kayaking the Inside Passage single use plastic free and Yukon source to sea with Lucy Graham
Lucy Graham is today's guest on the Paddling the Blue podcast. Lucy fostered a love for outdoor and environmental education and guiding programs early on and that led her to undertake the trip of a lifetime along the Inside Passage. She and her friend Mathilde added a twist, making the trip...
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#149 - Sea Kayaking Oman 3165 with Mark Evans
Today’s episode with Mark Evans is a bit backward from our other episodes. Normally we talk about a trip that has already happened. Well, this one hasn’t happened yet and is about to kick off. Mark Evans brings a vast adventure pedigree, from crossing Greenland, a year in Svalbard, teaching in...
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#148 - 1,500 Miles Solo: Linking the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and Maine Island Trail with John Connelly
In today's episode, John Connolly recounts his 75-day, 1,500-mile solo journey connecting the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and the Maine Island Trail, traveling by canoe and sea kayak through rivers, lakes, portages, and the tidal Bay of Fundy. John describes the trip’s challenges and...
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#147 - 1,000 Mile Vision Quest celebrating cultural connections on Canada’s West Coast with Ed Hill
Ed Hill joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast to share a 1,000-mile canoe vision quest along Canada’s west coast that partnered the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Indigenous communities to celebrate culture and offer alternatives to addiction. The episode explores the physical...
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#146 - Solo sea kayak slow roll through Johnstone Strait and Desolation Sound with Stuart Munson
Stuart Munson is a reformed backpacker who discovered paddling as a new way to get to great places. Today we talk about his two-month slow roll exploration of Desolation Sound and Johnstone Strait in Pacific Northwest Canada. Stuart Munson shares his two-month solo sea kayak expedition through...
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#145 - London to Marrakech and New York Spare Seat with Richard Harpham
Richard Harpham has more than 14,000 miles of human-powered adventures under his belt and he’s not slowing down. Today we talk about two, London to Marrakech by kayak and bike the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way, from the sea conditions off of Casablanca to the bustling Strait…
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#144 - Creating Artwork on the Isle of Man with Stephen Marsh
Stephen Marsh joins today’s episode of the podcast. Many of you may know Stephen as the master artisan behind Big Pond Kayaks. Dive into Stephen's life as a passionate paddler and explore the coastal waters of the Isle of Man, renowned for its vibrant paddling community and beautiful sea kayaking...
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#143 - Amazon Source to Sea Adventure with Darcy Gaechter - Encore Episode
Welcome to today’s episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast! I was paddling with some friends recently and someone mentioned Darcy Gaechter. Darcy is an extraordinary adventurer and author of Amazon Woman. Darcy's journey down the Amazon River set a milestone as the first and only woman to paddle...
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#142 - Justine Curgenven's Aleutian Kayaking Adventure - Encore Episode
Join us for an exciting encore episode of 'Paddling the Blue' as as we revisit a fun conversation with Justine Curgenven. Dive into Justine's incredible journey through Alaska's remote Aleutian Island chain with Sarah Outen. Learn about her preparations, the breathtaking landscapes, and unique...
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#141 - Best friends go midlife kayak adventuring with Andy Mullins and Geoff Cater
Join me in a conversation with adventurous paddlers Andy Mullins and Geoff Cater. Under the banner of Midlife Kayak, Andy and Geoff share their experiences, challenges, and the unique bond of friendship forged through sea kayaking. Embark on an inspiring story that navigates from the scenic…
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#140 - 32-Day Kayak Expedition Navigating Patagonia with Mathew Schweizer
Today's episode of Paddling the Blue features a riveting conversation with sea kayaker Mathew Schweitzer. Alongside Andy Gill and Brody Duncan, Mathew embarked on a grueling 32-day kayaking expedition through the majestic fjords of Patagonia, from Puerto Eden to Puerto Natales. Facing…
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#139 - From Marathons to the Mississippi: Paul Mellor's Epic Adventures
In this episode of Paddling the Blue, John talks with Paul Mellor, an adventurer who has conquered marathons in all 50 U.S. states, cycled across the USA, and most recently, paddled the full length of the Mississippi River. Paul shares his stories of unwavering determination, the challenges of...
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#138 - Finding flow through exploration in the Outer Hebrides and more with Tom Thorpe
In this episode of Paddling the Blue, Tom Thorpe discusses his experiences in coasteering, climbing, and sea kayaking, and how each sport and a thirst for new experiences has influenced his personal and professional growth. He also delves into the intricacies of navigating the challenging waters...
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#137 - Exploring the Waters of Cornwall by Sea Kayak with James Roberts
In this episode of Paddling the Blue, John talks with James Roberts, co-owner of Sea Kayak Cornwall, to explore the sea kayaking opportunities that Cornwall offers. James shares his journey into paddle sports coaching and discusses some of the must-experience kayaking spots in Cornwall, including...
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#136 - Patrik Skovajsa - Adventures with the Danube Kayaker
Join us for today's episode of Paddling the Blue as we journey with Patrik Skovajsa as he transforms from a novice stumbling in cold waters to an adventurer on the Danube River and beyond. With tales of lost wedding rings and solo trips spanning across Europe, discover the challenges and beauty…
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#135 - Canoecopia 2025 Madison, WI - The annual paddlers family reunion
Join me as we navigate the vibrant atmosphere of Canoecopia, the world's largest paddle sports expo. Billed as the world’s largest paddlesports expo, Canoecopia features more than 100,000 square feet of canoes, kayaks, kit, outfitters, everything you can imagine, plus more than 100 speakers on an...
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#134 - Exploring the 2025 Quiet Adventures Symposium - Lansing, MI USA
Join this for week's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast as we take you to the 30th annual Quiet Adventures Symposium in Lansing, Michigan. This episode features conversations with show exhibitors and enthusiasts in the world of Great Lakes paddling, including representatives from the U.S....
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#133 - Environmental Conservation and the Rich Paddling Heritage of Ireland's Causeway Coast with Robin Ruddock
Robin Ruddock is a respected advocate for sea kayaking and environmental conservation on Ireland's picturesque Causeway Coast. In this episode, we delve into Robin's extensive career, during which he has introduced over 20,000 young people to the joys of paddling and the unique natural history of...
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#132 - Living a Courageous Life as a Kayaking Nomad with Wendy Killoran
Wendy Killoran joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast. Wendy is a passionate sea kayaker and adventurer and she shares her transformation from elementary teacher to a paddling nomad, living life on her own terms. As she takes us through her extensive kayaking experiences, from...
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Innovating and Adding Value to Everyday Kayak Gear, and fun names too - with Steve Whetman
Steve Whetman, is a renowned innovator in the kayaking world. Known for his unique approach to everyday paddling gear, Steve takes us behind the scenes of his creative and engineering process, from initial ideas to market-ready products. Enjoy a fun-filled discussion with insights into product...
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#130 - Building Extreme Expedition Kayaks with Rob Feloy
In today's episode of Paddling the Blue, we are talking with renowned kayak designer and builder Rob Feloy. Rob shares the intricate process of creating kayaks specifically designed for some of the world's most extreme paddling expeditions, including famous crossings from Greenland to Scotland…
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#129 - Solo Kayak to Hawaii, and now the Atlantic, with Cyril Derreumaux (Replay)
Welcome to today’s episode of Paddling the Blue. Thanks for joining me for this special replay edition. I’m taking a much needed break around the holidays. This is actually my first break from releasing an entirely new episode in more than four years! Thank you for continuing to listen and…
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Best friends, bold crossings, and bombs around Britain with Barry Shaw
In today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast, John is joined by the adventurous Barry Shaw, who takes us through his incredible journey from a novice to a seasoned paddler, making bold crossings to Ireland, St. Kilda, and even going around Britain. Barry shares his experiences of…
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About this show
John Chase interviews inspiring paddlers from the US and across the globe doing great things from the seat of a kayak. If you want to learn about sea kayaking destinations, trips, and personalities from the world of paddle sports, we have you covered!
Hosted by
John Chase
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