Paddling The Blue Podcast

Paddling the Blue #57-Gudni Pall Viktorsson-Experiencing Iceland

Today’s episode takes us to Iceland to talk with Guðni Páll Viktorsson about his circumnavigation of the rugged Icelandic coastline. Thank you to a previous around Iceland guest, Veiga Gretarsdottir for connecting us. While Guðni Páll didn’t go against the current like Veiga, he had some pretty harrowing times that you’re going to hear about today. In the last three shows, we’ve been running our anniversary contest with listeners entering to win a $50 gift card from our good friends at Level Six.  The final winner in this program, from episode #56 at Canoecopia, is John Deignan. Congratulations John! Connect: Facebook Learn: Seakayakiceland.is Sea Kayak Iceland (Facebook) Sea Kayak Iceland Symposium Samhjálp (Homeless aid organization supported during the expedition)  

Paddling the Blue #56-Canoecopia 2022

Welcome to today’s episode of Paddling the Blue.  Today’s episode is a special edition recorded live from Madison, Wisconsin at the world’s largest paddlesports expo, Canoecopia.  This episode features five exhibitors from the show sharing what’s happening with their companies, new products, and the industry. Darren Bush - Rutabaga Paddlesports/Canoecopia Stig Larson-Level Six Jeremy Vore-Red Leaf Designs Chris Hipgrave-Pyranha and P&H Kayaks Paul Gerten-Biolite Energy As a reminder from the last episode, we’re running our anniversary contest again. Congratulations to Suprio Bhattachayra! You’ve won a $50 gift card from Level Six. Here’s how you can win our next $50 gift card.  Listen to today’s episode for this week’s question and send us your answer. You need to get your answer in by Wednesday, March 23, 2022. I will announce the winner of this episode’s Level Six gift card in episode 57 which releases on March 28, 2022. Enjoy today’s episode from Canoecopia 2022! A big thank you to the team at Rutabagas Paddlesports for putting on a fantastic event!  

Paddling the Blue #55 - Graham Mackereth - A Lifetime of Firsts with Pyranha and P&H

Graham Mackareth is the founder of Pyranha Kayaks and the Managing Director of Pyranha Kayaks and P&H Sea Kayaks, an inductee into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame and a true pioneer of the sport.  In this episode, Graham gives us an insider's view of the history of Pyranha and P&H, their early designs and unique safety features, and how they stay true to their mission. A thank you goes out to Christopher Lockyer who referred Graham way back in the early days of Paddling the Blue, episode #7.  As a reminder from the last episode, we’re running our anniversary contest again. In the last episode, I promised that those who answered the hidden question correctly would be entered to win a $50 gift card from our good friends at Level Six.  The winner from episode #54 is Bruce Holland from the USA. Congratulations Bruce.  Here’s how you can win our next $50 gift card courtesy of Level Six. Somewhere in this episode you will find a hidden question about an episode.  If you know the answer, click here to answer the question by Wednesday, March 9, 2022. I will announce the winner of this episode’s Level Six gift card in episode 56 which releases on March 14, 2022. Enjoy today’s episode with Graham Mackareth! Learn: Pyranha Kayaks P&H Custom Sea Kayaks

Paddling the Blue #54 - Brian Henry -Creating a kayak legacy with the Big Kahuna

Thank you for joining me for today’s episode of Paddling the Blue.  Today’s chat features a pioneer of the sport, Brian Henry. Brian is the founder of Current Designs and he will share stories of the early days of boat building alongside some of the personalities that make our sport what it is today.    We are coming up on the two year anniversary of Paddling the Blue. To celebrate, we’ve got three $50 gift cards from our good friends at Level Six. Here’s how you can win.  Somewhere in this episode and the next two, that means numbers 55 and 56, I will ask a question about a previous guest.  If you know the answer, submit it here for a chance to win. For this episode, you need to get your answer in by Wednesday, February 23, 2022.  I will announce the winner of this show's Level Six gift card in episode 55. Enjoy today’s episode with Brian Henry!   Connect: Ocean River Sports   Photo Credit: Bruce Holland

Paddling the Blue #53 - Stuart Trueman - All The Way Around Australia

Today’s episode will take us to Australia to talk with Stuart Trueman. Stuart’s a man of the world having visited more than 40 countries and paddled in both the Arctic and Antarctic. In this episode, he shares his tale of paddling 17,000 kilometers solo and unsupported all the way around Australia! A big thank you to Shaan Gresser. Shaan joined the show on episode #44 and she connected me with Stuart. Enjoy today’s episode with Stuart Trueman! Stuart Trueman (Facebook) New South Wales Sea Kayak Club Expedition Kayaks (Nadgee)    

Paddling the Blue #52 - Joachim Larssen - Shibby Traveler does Norway both ways

Joachim Larssen, also known as the Shibby Traveler, joins me today to share his story of his 233 day solo of the entire coast of Norway, both ways. He’s got a great story of living in the moment, and a whale encounter you won't believe!  Enjoy today’s episode with Joachim Larssen! Connect: The Shibby Traveler (website) The Shibby Traveler (Facebook) Joachim Larssen (Facebook) Joachim Larssen (Instagram) Joachim Larssen (YouTube) Learn: Hurtigruten-the Norwegian Coastal Express Norse kayaks Level Six Meet Hvaldimir Hvaldimir the whale steals Joachim's Go Pro

Paddling the Blue #51-Kyleen Austin-Finding yourself in Alaska

In today’s episode, we’re going to talk with Kyleen Austin about the restorative power of paddling that she experienced through a trip along the Inside Passage.  We’ve talked about the Inside Passage previously, but I think you’ll find this one different and you’ll take away a different perspective. Enjoy today’s episode with Kyleen Austin! Connect: Kyleen Austin  Skamokawa Swamp Opera (Facebook) Learn: Inside Passage Facebook group Dennis Dwyer Sea Breeze Books and Charts Sea Kayak Baja Inside Passage blogs and resources Books:  

Paddling the Blue #50 - John Chase and Randy Bauer - Alaska‘s Prince William Sound

I've been asked to create an episode featuring "regular people". So, I figured why not, and who's more regular than...well, me? This one will feature me and my friend Randy Bauer as we share the story of our 10-day trip to Alaska's Prince William Sound.   Enjoy the episode! Learn: NOAA Chart 16705-Western Prince William Sound NOAA Chart 16711-Harriman Fjord Paddlers Realm Arctic ERMA ShoreZone imagery shoreline survey  Alaska Marine Ferry schedule Surprise Cove State Marine Park Prince William Sound campsites NOAA Marine Zone Forecast - Whittier, AK

Paddling the Blue #49 - Erik Jorgensen - Father and Daughter in the Wilderness for 45 Days

Erik Jorgensen is an adventurer, author, expedition leader, and most importantly, a father. He's joining us from his home in Denmark. Erik has many amazing trips under his belt, and we’re going to talk about a few with his daughter that have really captivated my attention. Thank you to listener Henning de Haas for referring Erik. If you have an idea for a future guest, please reach out to me at john@paddlingtheblue.com.  Enjoy today’s episode with Erik! Connect: Erik Jorgensen Learn: Avannaq http://www.avannaq.no/ Greenland paddle, Gram https://gramkajak.dk/The one Erik uses: https://gramkajak.dk/produkter/delbare-pagajer-i-trae-og-kulfiber/gram-9100t-tredelt-carbonpagaj/ Kayak Panthera kajak fra Struer Boatshttps://komud.dk/kajakken-panthera-fra-struer-boats-danmark-rundt-i-kajak-hurtigst-muligt/ https://www.thomassondesign.com/en/catalog/my-kayaks/panthera

Paddling the Blue #48 - Moulton Avery - Cold Water Safety

Today’s episode features one of the world’s most recognized advocates for cold water safety, Moulton Avery. Moulton will share how he got his start in the world of water safety, how we can keep ourselves safe, busts a few myths about cold water, and gives his best advice on how we can represent safe paddling to the paddling community. Enjoy today’s episode with Moulton! Learn: National Center for Cold Water Safety NCCWS Facebook page Video: Cold Shock, Swimming Failure, and Incapacitation Air and water temperature myths Connect: Contact Moulton Donate to the National Center for Cold Water Safety