Paddling The Blue Podcast

#121 - Coaching Insights and Tierra del Fuego with the Kayak Waveologist Greg Paquin

In this episode of Paddling the Blue, host John Chase speaks with Greg Paquin about his extensive involvement in British canoeing and his passion for paddle sports coaching. Greg shares his inspiring journey from civil engineering to becoming a full-time sea kayaking coach.
Greg also recounts his thrilling expedition to the remote and stunning landscapes of Tierra del Fuego, describing the breathtaking scenery and unique challenges faced along the way. Additionally, he discusses the inception and growth of the Autumn Gales event, which provides a platform for paddlers to experience advanced tidal race environments under expert guidance.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into the world of performance coaching in sea kayaking and learn how Greg's diverse experiences have shaped his coaching philosophy. Discover more about Greg's adventures and his contributions to the paddling community in this engaging episode.
Kayak Waveology
Autumn Gales
Contact Greg

#120 - Riding the Waves: Finding flow surf kayaking the Great Lakes with Keith Wikle

Welcome to today's episode of Paddling the Blue. Our guest, Keith Wikle, is a prolific surf kayaker and coach from the Great Lakes region. In this episode, Keith shares his journey into the world of surf kayaking, his mentors, and his experience organizing paddling events. He also offers valuable tips to enhance your surfing skills and enjoyment when the waves kick up.
Join us as Keith discusses his background, the transition from sea kayaking to surf kayaking, and the unique challenges and rewards of surfing the Great Lakes. He also reflects on his contributions to the paddling community through events like the West Michigan Coastal Kayakers Association symposium and his own event, the Gales.
Whether you're a seasoned paddler or just starting out, Keith's insights and stories are sure to inspire. Enjoy the episode!
Connect:
Go Kayak Now
West Michigan Coastal Kayakers Association
The Gales Storm Gathering
 
Want to level up your paddling skill?
James and Simon at onlineseakayaking.com continue to produce great content to help you evolve as a paddler, and as a coach.   Everything from basic strokes and safety to paddling in tides, surfing, coaching, documentaries, and their latest addition, expedition skills and incident management. it’s all in one place. 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.

#119 - Jim Tibensky - Racing kayak slalom, chasing birds, and a lifelong love for volunteering

Jim Tibensky joins today’s episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast.  Jim is a legend in the US slalom racing community and a selfless volunteer for many organizations. Today we talk about Jim’s ongoing racing career, how water makes a positive difference in his life, and how he regularly gives back to improve the lives of others through paddling.
Connect:
Facebook
Learn:
Chicago Adventure Therapy
Chicago Voyagers
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors
Apostle Islands
Lincoln Park Boat Club

#118 - Donal Dowd - Experiencing Irish Islands, Lighthouses, and Wallabies

Today I have the pleasure of talking with Donal Dowd. We cover quite a few topics, including his love for Irish islands and lighthouses, 40+ years pioneering outdoor education, and the home of Ireland’s wallabies. Thank you to Jon Hynes (episode #88) for making the connection with Donal. 
At the Water's Edge Two Boats, B. Ferrell
Dingle Publishing Services (info only)
Tertulia Book Shop, Westport
Abebooks.com
The wallabies of Lambay Island (BBC)
Blasket Islands
Commissioners of Irish Lights
Great Lighthouses of Ireland
Donal Dowd (Facebook)

Jon Dawkins - Searching for Kayak Bill and exploring the Outer Coast of British Columbia

Jon Dawkins received some advice from a friend that may surprise you that has led him to some of the best places on the outer coast of British Columbia as he explores the region one segment at a time. Along the way, he is also searching for a local legend affectionately named Kayak Bill. We’ll talk about all that in today’s episode.
Connect:
3MeterSwell
Facebook
Instagram
Resources:
Looking for Kayak Bill, by Neil Frazer (3MeterSwell)
Kayak Bill-A Requiem (3MeterSwell, originally appeared in Sea Kayaker Magazine, October 2005)
Blue Highways of the Inside Passage (3MeterSwell)
Randel Washburne's articles about his cabin building activities and the Burnett Bay cabin journals from 1985 – 2009
Triquet Island and Burnett Bay
Burnett Bay and Deserters
Burnet Bay Cabin Journals
To Be A Warrior: The Adventurous Life and Mysterious Death of Billy Davidson, by Brandon Pullan
John Kimantas books (Wild Coast series, Wild Places, BC Coast Explorer, BC Atlas, Vancouver Island Recreation Guide)
BC Marine Trails Association
Port Hardy to Klemtu (YouTube)

Cristi Manea AKA Lownlee Kayak - Building and learning from an online kayak community

Cristi Manea is someone you probably know, but whose name you probably haven’t heard.  Cristi started his paddling journey four years ago and in that time he has learned a lot from the online community and stepped up to build one of the largest online paddling communities in Facebook. We’ll talk today about how that process has made a Lownlee kayaker a happy kayaker.
Connect:
Solo Kayaking (Facebook)
Sea Kayak Surfing (Facebook)
Kayak Camping and Expeditioning (Facebook)
Learn:
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Bay of Fundy
Georgian Bay
Bruce Peninsula
Lonely island 
Tobermory
And, speaking of online communities,
James and Simon at onlineseakayaking.com continue to produce great content to help you evolve as a paddler, and as a coach.   Everything from basic strokes and safety to paddling in tides, surfing, coaching, documentaries, and their latest addition, expedition skills and incident management. It’s all in one place. And, they've just announced their new partnership with P&H Sea Kayaks, another great supporter of Paddling the Blue and for whom I am also a Team Paddler. 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.
Enjoy today’s episode with Cristi Manea, AKA Loenlee Kayak!

#115 - Eileen Murphy - Leading the way through slalom, marathon racing, and sea kayaking

Today I have the pleasure of talking with Eileen Murphy for a fascinating conversation. Eileen has led an incredible paddling career through many phases, from hitchhiking across Europe for slalom races, to marathon racing in Australia, to sea kayaking Ireland and beyond. So many great stories to share!
Contact Eileen
Shearwater Sea Kayaking
Liffey Descent
 
Thanks again to our partners at Online Sea Kayaking for extending a special offer to you. 
Visit Onlineseakayaking.com. Enter the code PTBPODCAST at checkout and get 10% off, just for being a member of the Paddling the Blue community. 
 

#114 - Conny Bell - A Truly Superior Circumnavigation

Conny Bell joins today’s episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast to talk about her 57-day circumnavigation of Lake Superior.  She shares her experience on this voyage of self-discovery, overcoming personal challenges, and describes how the lake changes as you make your way around.  It’s an inspiring tale that makes you want to start planning for your own trip. 
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

#113 - Jim Kennedy - Bioluminescence, seaweed and Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Jim Kennedy is another legend in the Irish paddling world and he joins us today to talk about his racing days, his love for the Wild Atlantic Way, bioluminescence, seaweed, and how paddling keeps him grounded.
Atlantic Sea Kayaking
Wild Atlantic Way
About West Cork
Skibbereen Rowing Club

#112 - Amber Champion - Leaping squid, kindness, and a passion for kayaking

Today I am joined Amber Champion. Amber burst on to the paddling scene a few years ago and quickly ascended to become known as one of the top coaches in the Paddle Canada system. In this episode, she shares how a leaping squid, a lot of hard work, and a big helping of being a good human brought her from intern to owner.
 
Learn
Blue Dog Kayaking
Amazon Canoe Challenge
Amber takes on the Amazon
New Era blog
Connect
Amber on InstagramBlue Dog on Instagram