Paddling The Blue Podcast

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)

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

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

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
 

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?
 

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
 
 

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

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
 

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. 

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