SportsWilderness

Paddling The Blue Podcast

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!

Play

Open in

26 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 53 min
English

Episodes 26

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#176
Yesterday · 54 min
#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 Islands in 2009 and his most recent trip, paddling along the coast of Norway collecting plastic garbage. MarcusDemuth.com Falkland Islands Ocean Paddler article on Tierra del Fuego International Council for Exploration of the Sea Ryddenorge.no beach clean ups https://www.inthesameboat.eco/In the same boat-high tech beach clean ups National Geographic on Marine Garbage
- Transcript
- Chapters
#175
October 5 · 1 hr 3 min
#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, 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 advice for paddlers planning their own expeditions. Learn: Lake Superior map What are Agates? Crisp Point Lighthouse Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Pukawska National Park Lake Superior Provincial Park Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Grand Sable Dunes Wilderness Inquiry Such a Nice Day Adventures Naturally Superior Adventures Sjana Shanning's documentation of her Lake Superior trip (Mentor to Conny) Richardson's Lake Superior Chart Book & Cruising Guide (Maptech) Connect: Facebook IG: @authentic_imperfection Email
- Transcript
- Chapters
#174
September 21 · 37 min
#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), expedition guiding in Bhutan and Antarctica, forward-stroke technique, training motivation, and practical advice for pursuing big paddling goals.
- Transcript
- Chapters
#173
September 7 · 51 min
#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 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 journey down the Mississippi River for Dale’s most recent record-setting run, at age 87. The episode covers their motivations, trip logistics, River Angels support, the challenges of low water, heat, and barge traffic, and behind-the-scenes footage captured by a film crew.
- Transcript
- Chapters
#172
August 24 · 48 min
#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 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 National Three Peaks Challenge Passage Guiding A Paddle with a Purpose Emma Reasbeck (Instagram)
- Transcript
- Chapters
#171
August 10 · 58 min
#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. 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 content to help you evolve as a paddler, and as a coach. You’ll find everything from basic strokes and safety to paddling in tides, surfing, coaching, documentaries, expedition skills and incident management, and more. If you’re not already a subscriber to Onlineseakayaking.com, here’s your opportunity to get started. Visit onlineseakayaking.com and use the coupon code PTBPODCAST at checkout and you’ll get 10% just for being a member of the Paddling the Blue community. For those of us who also enjoy paddling whitewater boats, be sure to check out OnlineWhitewater.com, they’re also offering the same discount to listeners. Use the code PTBPODCAST at checkout and explore. And, I would love to help you put those skills to work. I offer a wide range of programs in the Great Lakes and beyond, from paddling skill development, instructor certifications, workshops, CPR and wilderness first aid, guided trips, and more. There’s still lots of time left in 2026 and I am working on the 2027 calendar. Let me know what you would like to see. Visit www.paddlingtheblue.com and click the Courses and Trips link at the top of the page, and I hope to see you on the water. Enjoy today’s encore episode with Mick O’Meara
- Transcript
- Chapters
#170
July 27 · 45 min
#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 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 Spectacular Coastal Route Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre Fastnet Rock Royal National Lifeboat Institution Irish Canoe Union Connect: Jon Hynes Facebook Instagram
- Transcript
- Chapters
#169
July 13 · 47 min
#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, 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 Summit to Sea for MND, and SHARE’s inclusive outdoor programs. Website: Share Discovery Village Traditional Greenland Games at Share Facebook Summit to Sea for MND
- Transcript
- Chapters
#168
June 29 · 1 hr
#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 navigating shallow canals and wide lakes. About the St. Johns River St. Johns Riverkeeper To Rivers End by Daniel Robison What is a Nutria?
- Transcript
- Chapters
#167
June 15 · 49 min
#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 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 Becoming Good Later Get your copy of Thundery at Times Connect: Katie Annice Carr (website) Instagram Twitter/X Learn: BBC 4 Shipping Forecast Attention All Shipping: A Journey Around the Shipping Forecast by Charlie Connelly Fanconi Anemia The Churchill Fellowship
- Transcript
- Chapters
#166
June 1 · 46 min
#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 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 website Questioning dogma Instagram Steve Maynard CV-SUNY Plattsburgh SUNY Adventure Sports & Expeditionary Studies
- Transcript
- Chapters
#165
May 18 · 1 hr 9 min
#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 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 reflecting on how the journey rekindled Caleb’s love of adventure and shaped his perspective as a paddler and parent. What I found while crossing Nicaragua by kayak (Trak blog) Instagram Email Rat Race Adventures TRAK Kayaks
- Transcript
- Chapters
#164
May 4 · 48 min
#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 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 dolphins, Guinness-courage and pub moments, and the lessons learned across multiple expeditions.
- Transcript
- Chapters
#163
April 13 · 56 min
#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 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, symposiums and more. Reed Chillcheater
- Transcript
- Chapters
#161
April 6 · 1 hr 10 min
#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 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 to continue voyaging. Wild Raven Adventure
- Transcript
- Chapters
#162
March 23 · 57 min
#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 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 their booth to record this episode, and of course for building my favorite top quality boats. Thank you to the enthusiastic audience who joined me at each of my presentations over the weekend. It’s exciting to see full rooms of smiling faces learning about ways to love paddling even more. Thank you to all the listeners who stopped by the booth to say hello. I love hearing how Paddling the Blue has inspired and positively impacted you. And thank you to the Rutabaga Paddlesports team for producing Canoecopia! It’s a pleasure to be part of this wonderful paddling community and I look forward to many more opportunities to connect one to one in the future. Save the Boundary Waters Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary Kayak Portugal Tours Old Mustache Canoe Paddles Missouri River Relief MR340 Bending Branches Aqua Bound Guillemot Kayaks Bold Coast Boats P&H Sea Kayaks Pyranha Kayaks Canoecopia Rutabaga Paddlesports
- Transcript
- Chapters
#160
March 9 · 40 min
#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 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 of today's topics are paddling related, they're paddling adjacent. I'm willing to bet that you enjoy more hiking, cycling, and more, in addition to your time on the water. Today's discussions include orienteering at the world level, adaptive paddling programs, volunteer lake and stream monitoring, watershed stewardship, cycling advocacy, inclusive outdoor programming, and state water-trail and trail management efforts—highlighting ways listeners can get involved, protect waterways, and enjoy paddling in the Great Lakes region. Connect: Southern Michigan Orienteering Club smoc-runs.com USA Orienteering https://orienteeringusa.org/ Flint River Watershed Coalition Flintriver.org Kayakflint.org Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind https://oubmichigan.org/ Team River Runner https://www.teamriverrunner.org/ Creating Ability: https://www.creatingability.com/ Michigan Clean Water Corps MiCorps.net League of Michigan Bicyclists lmb.org Michigan Department of Natural Resources https://www.michigan.gov/dnr Hiking Trails: https://gis-michigan.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/3d190eb423fa4e578049faf36654a8ab_1/about Water Trails: https://gis-midnr.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/midnr::michigan-dnr-designated-water-trails/about
- Transcript
- Chapters
#159
February 23 · 44 min
#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 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)
- Transcript
- Chapters
#158
February 9 · 1 hr
#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 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 Klepper folding kayak. Oscar also discusses the Guinness World Record process, fundraising for the charity Our Kids, Our Future Madagascar, and his related book and documentary. Kayaking the Mangoky (Amazon) Kayaking the Mangoky (YouTube) KayakingtheMangoky.com Kayaking the Kwanza (YouTube) Kayaking the Kwanza (Amazon) Klepper Mangoky River Remove River Expeditions Our kids our future Madagascar
- Transcript
- Chapters
#157
January 26 · 50 min
#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 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 Island Sucia Island Patos Island Body Boat Blade International Instagram
- Transcript
- Chapters

Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes