Paddling The Blue Podcast

Today’s guest is Ivan Klochkov.  Ivan recently completed a 124-day 3,800 km sea kayak journey along the Kamchatka Peninsula, one of the most remote coasts and one of the most unique and wild areas of the world.  Today, we talk about the paddling scene in Russia, his inspiration for the trip, his route, planning and resupply strategy, gear choices (including his sail and bear protection), and the physical and mental challenges of a long solo expedition.  It’s an incredible look into an amazing region Kamchatka Peninsula Chukotka (Chuchki) Peninsula Instagram Contact Ivan Vostok Expeditions Russian Topo maps Flat Earth Kayak Sails

Today’s guest on the Paddling the Blue podcast is Marcus Demuth.  Marcus has amassed an incredible list of significant paddling accomplishments worldwide, from Ireland to Tierra del Fuego and so many places in between. Today we talk about his experience as the first to circumnavigate the Falkland Islands in 2009 and his most recent trip, paddling along the coast of Norway collecting plastic garbage.   MarcusDemuth.com Falkland Islands Ocean Paddler article on Tierra del Fuego International Council for Exploration of the Sea Ryddenorge.no beach clean ups https://www.inthesameboat.eco/In the same boat-high tech beach clean ups National Geographic on Marine Garbage  

Today's episode is an encore presentation of my June 2024 interview with Conny Simes about her 57‑day, 1,134‑mile solo circumnavigation of Lake Superior. Conny describes the changing landscapes—from the Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks to the remote Pukaskwa coast—along with the logistics, weather, and resupply challenges she faced. The episode also explores how the journey supported Conny’s personal recovery while managing Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome, the people she met, safety lessons, and practical advice for paddlers planning their own expeditions. 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

Today's episode is an encore presentation with Chris Hipgrave about performance paddling and the balance of physical, technical, and mental skills across disciplines—from slalom and wildwater to surf ski and sea kayaking. We cover surf ski racing (including the Gorge Downwind Championships), expedition guiding in Bhutan and Antarctica, forward-stroke technique, training motivation, and practical advice for pursuing big paddling goals.

Last week, Dale "Greybeard" Sanders reclaimed his record as the oldest person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail at age 91. For the second time. I spoke to Dale  and two of his paddling companions, Dan Faust and Matt Briggs, in 2023 after Dale regained his crown, also for the second time,  as the oldest to paddle the Mississippi River source to sea at age 87.  In honor of Dale’s thru-hike and his incredible perseverance, I am pleased to replay my interview with Dale, Dan, and Matt about their 87 day journey down the Mississippi River for Dale’s most recent record-setting run, at age 87. The episode covers their motivations, trip logistics, River Angels support, the challenges of low water, heat, and barge traffic, and behind-the-scenes footage captured by a film crew.