Paddling The Blue Podcast

#74 - Steve Ramsay - Yukon River Quest

Today I am talking with Steve Ramsay. Steve was referred to the show by Cyril Derreumaux. They met when Cyril was in the Yukon River Quest. The Yukon River Quest is one of the most iconic paddle races on the North American continent and you’re about to hear about it.  I know someone out there may be thinking, isn’t this a podcast about kayaking? It is, primarily, but it’s fun to mix it up sometimes. Just like WE become better by exploring different craft, Paddling the Blue gets better too . While Steve may not have done the race in a kayak, they’re all boats, right? I used to do a lot of adventure racing back in the day and this is the kind of thing that really interests me.  There's something special about a good sufferfest and it certainly sounds like a beautiful river.   Enjoy today’s episode with Steve Ramsay! Connect: Email: Steve (at) twelvedegrees.ca Learn: Yukon River Quest Gold Rush Canoe Derby (1967 video)

#73 - Madison Eklund-1,600 miles solo by kayak to Hudson Bay

Today’s episode of Paddling the Blue features Madison Eklund.  At 26 and after three years of planning, Madison set off from Minnesota and paddled 1.600 miles solo through some beautiful territory to York Factory in Hudson Bay.  From farmland to sub-arctic, she experiences an adventure full of learning and the kindness of strangers. Books: Wilderness Rivers of Manitoba - Hap Wilson Canoeing with the Cree-Eric Sevareid Adventure North-Sean Bloomfield with Colton White Expedition Alpine (Facebook Blog) Expedition Alpine (Instagram) About Expedition Alpine Big Agnes Bob Swanson Memorial Grant Abandon Anchor-A Bob Swanson Memorial Grant winner story About Norway House About Oxford House Laurentian Divide    

#72 - Olly Hicks - Greenland to Scotland by Kayak

Today’s episode of Paddling the Blue features Olly Hicks.  His accomplishments include rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean from the USA to England after 124 days at sea, and at the time he did it, he was also the youngest to row any ocean solo.  Olly also made the first row across the Tasman Sea from Tasmania to New Zealand, through 96 days alone on the notoriously wild southern ocean.  If you caught episode 68 with Patrick Winterton, you heard Olly’s name there where we discussed the 200 mile crossing from the Shetland Islands to Norway in memory of the World War Two Shetland Bus Operation. Following the Shetland Bus, Olly and George Bullard pulled off an incredible trip from Greenland to Scotland.   Enjoy today’s episode with Olly Hicks! Connect: Ollyhicks.com Learn: In the wake of the Finmen (Kotatat website) Voyage of the Finmen (Red Bull movie)

#71 - Cyril Derreumaux - Solo Kayak to Hawaii

Today’s episode features Cyril Derreumaux. Cyril is fresh off his successful quest to be the first person to cross from California to Hawaii by kayak using 100% human power.  In this episode he shares a lot about his preparation and the personal experience of making this trip. Planning, more planning, pain, perseverance, it’s all in this trip.   I caught up with Cyril as he was driving from San Diego, California, where he had just picked up his boat Valentine and was trailering her back to San Francisco.  He stopped his trip to accommodate the recording, but you may pick up a little background noise. Enjoy today’s episode with Cyril Derreumaux! Cyrilderreumaux.com Cyril Derreumaux Adventure (Facebook) Solo Kayak to Hawaii (official site) Inuk kayaks (Rob Feloy) Coup de tete-Bon Entendeur (the song of the crossing) Photo credit: Tom Gomes

#70 - Joe Leach - Finding Motivation Circumnavigating the UK

Joe Leach joins us today to share the story of his circumnavigation of the UK and a bit about his circuit of Ireland as well.  We get in-depth on the trip, the motivation, and the ups and down he experienced along the way.  It’s a great perspective from, at the time, a newer expeditioner taking on a huge challenge. We had some good laughs on this one, so enjoy today’s episode with Joe Leach. Connect: Instagram Email Learn: Surfers against Sewage  

#69 - Kevin O’Sullivan - Around Ireland the Long Way

Today I am joined by Kevin O’Sullivan. I was introduced to Kevin by Mick O’Meara.  If you recall, Mick joined me for episode 35 where he shared the story of his record setting 23 day circumnavigation of Ireland.  Kevin’s story is similar, but very different. While both Mick and Kevin are part of the brotherhood of those who have circled the Emerald Isle,  Kevin’s journey spanned 915 days. You heard that right, now you get to hear the whole story.  Before we get to Kevin’s story, if you’re a long time listener, thank you. If you’re a new listener, thank you for finding us. I want to send a special thank you to all our guests to date and those to come in the future.  We’ve got some exciting episodes lined up.  If you enjoy the show, I hope you’ll consider supporting the us by visiting www.paddlingtheblue.com and clicking the little coffee cup link in the bottom corner of the page.  Consider dropping a small donation to help offset the costs of running the show.  Thank you to everyone who has shown their support and those who will help in the future.   Enjoy today’s episode with Kevin O’Sullivan. Learn: RNLI Medicine Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) Connect: Facebook Email   Connect:  

#68-Patrick Winterton-Tracing St. Brenden’s Route

Today I am joined by Patrick Winterton. When Doug Cooper said Patrick has done some interesting open water crossings, he was right! Patrick is going to share a few stories, most notably the impressive St. Brendan's route and the Shetland Bus. It’s a fascinating conversation filled with ingenuity to make these trips happen. Enjoy today’s episode with Patrick Winterton. Connect: Patrick Winterton

#67-Doug Cooper-Scottish Sea Kayaking

Today I have the pleasure to talk with Doug Cooper.  Doug is a coach, author, guide, and authority on Scottish sea kayaking.  Enjoy today’s episode as Doug takes us on a tour of Scotland with a little diversion to Greenland. Books by Doug Cooper: Scottish Sea Kayaking Skye & Northwest Highlands Sea Kayaking Nor & East Coast of Scotland Sea Kayaking Sea Kayak Handling: A Practical Manual, Essential Knowledge for Beginner and Intermediate Paddlers Rough Water Handling: A Practical Manual, Essential Knowledge for Intermediate and Advanced Paddlers Website:  Scottish Sea Kayaking    

#66-Ginni Callahan-Sea Kayaking Baja Mexico

Welcome to today’s episode of Paddling the Blue. Thanks for joining me for today’s adventure. Today I have the pleasure to talk with Ginni Callahan. Ginni runs Sea Kayak Baja Mexico and today she’s going to share some of her experiences from Baja. We’ll also talk about the South Pacific, towing a sailboat, kayak sailing, pyrosomes, and more.  Enjoy today’s episode with Ginni Callahan. Learn and Connect: Sea Kayak Baja Mexico Pyrosomes (Wikipedia) Flat Earth Kayak Sails Ginnicallahan.com  

#65 - Louise Adie - 14 years guiding in Antarctica

Louise Adie joins Paddling the Blue for today's episode. Louise will take us to the bottom of the earth where she guided for 14 years. I hope you enjoy some of her favorite stories from her years guiding in Antarctica. Learn:  Kapitan Khlebnikov (Quark Expeditions icebreaker) International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators Polar Tourism Guides Association Connect: Email Louise