Paddling The Blue Podcast

#111 - Alison French-Fun with flapjacks, a carnival, and Sea Kayak Plockton

Today I am joined by Alison French. Alison runs Sea Kayak Plockton in Scotland. Today we talk about finding your why, the reasons you should visit the Shiants, Alison’s famous flapjack, and more. Thank you to Nick Ray from episode #101 for introducing me to Alison.
Learn:
The Shiant Isles
St. Kilda
Mingulay
Connect:
Sea Kayak Plockton
 
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. 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% off up to 12 months of your subscription investment. 
Enjoy today’s episode with Alison French!

#110 - Canoecopia 2024 - Madison, WI

Today’s episode was recorded from the show floor at the annual Canoecopia show in Madison, Wisconsin. Billed as the world’s largest paddlesports expo, Canoecopia features more than 100,000 square feet of canoes, kayaks, kit, outfitters, everything you can imagine, plus more than 100 speakers on an incredible array of topics.  I am honored to be one of those speakers and it’s one of my favorite events. Thanks to Chris Hipgrave and the entire P&H Pyranha kayaks team for making space in their booth to record this episode. 
We’ve got a great lineup of guests for today’s episode.  We’ll hear from:
Four time Olympian gold and bronze medalist Greg Barton sharing Olympic stories and what's new from Epic Kayaks
Christy Kurtz from Paddle KC on what makes their club successful
Chloe Machula from Rutabaga Paddlesports with an inside look into Canoecopia
Bruce Furrer with Werner Paddles on the origins of Werner and where they are today
David Bain with Pyranha Mouldings and we’ll hear about the new lightweight sea kayaks and the new Reactr from Pyranha
Danny Mongno from NRS talking about the culture of the company and their newest addition to the PFD world
and Stig Larsson from Level Six on their new latex free drysuit
As a reminder, if you’re not already a subscriber to onlineseakayaking.com, James and Simon keep on adding to the menu. Their latest addition is on foraging.  Visit onlineseakayaking.com and use the coupon code PTBPODCAST at checkout and you’ll get 10% off up to 12 months of your subscription investment.  
Enjoy today’s episode from Canoecopia!

#109 - Quiet Adventures Symposium - Lansing, MI

Today’s episode comes from the 29th annual Quiet Adventures Symposium in Lansing, MI.
As paddlers, when we hear symposium we often think on-water education and experiences. This is different. It’s more like a trade show with a Great Lakes emphasis, but even if you’re not from Michigan, or even the USA, I am certain that you’ll find value in hearing from today’s guests.
Our guests today include:
Andrea Graham - Verlen Kruger Legacy
Tony Pascuzzi - Qajaq USA
Stephanie Gandulla - Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Sue Bakkila - Woods and Waters Adventures
Aaron Gascoyne - Kayak Ontario
Wesley Schlenker - Naturally Superior Adventures

#108 - Ken Whiting - Whitewater Kayak World Champion to Media Star

Ken Whiting is a former world champion whitewater kayaker, author, television host, and owner of Heliconia Press, one of the world’s leading media production companies in the outdoor and travel industry.
You’ve seen Ken Whiting in the Facing Waves television program or his extensive and highly engaging YouTube presence, Paddle TV. Today you'll get to hear from him as he shares his story, what he loves about paddling, and some of his favorite places to paddle.
Connect:
Paddle TV (YouTube)
The one where the boat goes rogue
Alligators
Dominica
Okefenoke
Georgian Bay
Heliconia Press 
Facing Waves

#107 - Mark Spitzer - 7 months on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers

Mark Spitzer shares a detailed account of his 7 month canoe trip down the entire length of the Missouri River and continuing down the Mississippi.  He was joined by his dog, Groucho, who had some adventures of his own.  It’s a great story about the river and life change.
Learn:
Waterlogue (Buffalo Commons Press)
Lewis and Clark Expedition (Wikipedia)
The Lewis and Clark Companion: An Encyclopedic Guide to the Voyage of Discovery
Connect:
Mark Spitzer (Facebook)

#106 - Tom Daly - The first Ireland solo that almost got him kicked out of canoeing

Tom Daly completed the first solo Ireland circumnavigation by kayak in 1979. In today's episode, we talk about the adventure itself, the gear, the freedom, and how this trip almost got him kicked out of the sport.
It was a far different time. Certainly simpler than today’s social media fueled expeditions. It’s an interesting comparison. It doesn't make one better than the other…just different. And I think the Irish Canoe Union’s position is different on solos now too.
Following that solo, Tom has continued growth in sports to become one of the world’s most accomplished masters cyclists and ultra endurance cyclist, coach, and researcher on physiological adaptation to training in older athletes.
Thank you to Mike Conroy for helping make the connection with Tom Daly! 
Learn:
A Journey in 1979, by Tom Daly
St. Brenden the Navigator
Masters Cycling Coaching
Connect:
Tom Daly
 

#105 - Nicky and Kevin Mansell - Kayaking Jersey and the Channel Islands

Today we head out to Jersey.  For those in the USA, we’re not talking about the state of New Jersey, we’re talking about the Channel Islands. 
Every episode gives me something else to add to the bucket list. This island archipelago is teeming with paddling opportunities and Nicky and Kevin Mansell join today’s episode to share why every paddler should go to Jersey.   Caves, tide races, surf beaches, castles,  Martello towers, and more.  It's all in the Channel Islands!
Learn:
Channel Islands
Martello Towers
Jersey uncovered
Jersey Canoe Club
Disko Bay, Greenland
Connect:
Nicky
nicky@jerseyuncovered.com
Instagram: @nickymansell
X (Twitter): @nickym_nicky
Kevin
kevin@seapaddler.co.uk
Instagram: @sea.paddler
 

David Walsh - Oileain - Kayaking all the Irish islands

David Walsh is the force behind Oileain, the definitive guide to the islands of Ireland.  We will talk about his journey to catalog and detail each of the islands, which have been his favorites, which have been the hardest, and more.
Oileain.org (website soft-copy and purchase)
Oilean (Amazon)
 
 

#103 - Natalie Maderova and Michal Madera - UK, Ireland, and that time Freya broke a boat in Alaska

Natalie Maderova and Michal Madera join today's episode to share their simple yet effective philosophy on managing a big trip and they bring the credibility to back it up. They’ve circumnavigated Britain, Ireland, and paddled in Alaska with Freya Hoffmeister and we’ll touch on each of these during today’s episode. 
Enjoy today’s episode with Natalie and Michal!
Connect:
Sixknots.net
The Circumnavigation, 2012
The Northern Four, 2015
Alaska, 2018
Drop Seat Adventure, 2019
sixknots at hotmail dot com
 

#102 - Des Keaney - Rounding the Cape and beating retinal degeneration

Today I am joined by Des Keaney. Des was referred to me by Catriona Woods from episode 89. Des shares a trip around Cape Horn, a few of his favorite places in Ireland, and how he’s overcoming one of life's challenges to continue enjoying paddling.  His is a great story of perseverance. 
Learn:
Late Onset Retinal Degeneration
National Institutes of Health
University of Edinburgh
Connect:
Des Keaney