Paddling The Blue Podcast

John Chase
  • 4.9 (49)
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John Chase interviews inspiring paddlers from the US and across the globe doing great things from the seat of a kayak. If you want to learn about sea kayaking destinations, trips, and personalities from the world of paddle sports, we have you covered!

  1. 6D AGO

    #160 - Quiet Adventures 2026 Live: Adaptive Kayaks, Orienteering Worlds, River Stewardship, and more from Lansing, MI

    Today's episode was recorded at one of our favorite events, the Quiet Adventures Symposium in Lansing. Today's episode features conversations with paddlers, conservationists, and accessibility advocates across Michigan. Guests include Anna Green, a Junior World Orienteering competitor, Team River Runner, Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, the Flint River Watershed Coalition, the League of Michigan Bicyclists, and the Michigan DNR Trails team. While not all of today's topics are paddling related, they're paddling adjacent. I'm willing to bet that you enjoy more hiking, cycling, and more, in addition to your time on the water.  Today's discussions include orienteering at the world level, adaptive paddling programs, volunteer lake and stream monitoring, watershed stewardship, cycling advocacy, inclusive outdoor programming, and state water-trail and trail management efforts—highlighting ways listeners can get involved, protect waterways, and enjoy paddling in the Great Lakes region. Connect: Southern Michigan Orienteering Club smoc-runs.com USA Orienteering https://orienteeringusa.org/ Flint River Watershed Coalition Flintriver.org Kayakflint.org Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind https://oubmichigan.org/ Team River Runner https://www.teamriverrunner.org/ Creating Ability: https://www.creatingability.com/ Michigan Clean Water Corps MiCorps.net League of Michigan Bicyclists lmb.org Michigan Department of Natural Resources https://www.michigan.gov/dnr Hiking Trails: https://gis-michigan.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/3d190eb423fa4e578049faf36654a8ab_1/about Water Trails: https://gis-midnr.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/midnr::michigan-dnr-designated-water-trails/about

    41 min

  2. FEB 23

    #159 - Noatun’s Route: One Man’s Kayak Circumnavigation of Europe with Urban Heupgen

    Many of us dream of adventures like circumnavigating Ireland and as far as I’m concerned, that’s a pretty lofty goal, and definitely on my list.  And then there’s Urban Heupgen...Urban has unexpectedly found himself on a quest to undertake a bold journey to circumnavigate Europe.  Join me as Urban and I talk about his humble start, how he found himself on this path, and just how big his plans are for the future. Noatan’s Route (Google Map)  Urban Heupgen (Instagram)

    45 min

  3. FEB 9

    #158 - Kayaking Madagascar: Chasing the Mangoky Source to Sea with Oscar Scafidi

    Oscar Scafidi is a schoolteacher turned explorer specializing in Africa. Oscar joins today’s episode to share his expedition to kayak Madagascar’s Mangok River from source to sea. Oscar describes the months of planning, the grueling approach to the source, and the challenges of navigating largely unexplored river sections. Today's episode covers heavy portages, unpredictable terrain, local guides and communities, wildlife encounters (lemurs, crocodiles and more), and the logistics of carrying a Klepper folding kayak. Oscar also discusses the Guinness World Record process, fundraising for the charity Our Kids, Our Future Madagascar, and his related book and documentary.   Kayaking the Mangoky (Amazon) Kayaking the Mangoky (YouTube) KayakingtheMangoky.com Kayaking the Kwanza (YouTube) Kayaking the Kwanza (Amazon) Klepper Mangoky River Remove River Expeditions Our kids our future Madagascar

    1 hr

  4. JAN 26

    #157 - How a class project packrafting in Nepal led to a kayak career with Alex Lalonde

    Alex Lalonde joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast to talk about about his path from packrafting whitewater rivers in Nepal to taking over the iconic Body Boat Blade instruction and guiding company. Alex shares stories from a 40-day Nepal expedition, favorite paddles and venues in the Pacific Northwest, and the challenges of reopening a specialty paddle shop. Karnali river Burrows Island Allan Island (private, permission required to visit) Deception Pass Cypress Island Matia Island Sucia Island Patos Island Body Boat Blade International Instagram

    50 min

  5. JAN 12

    #156 - Paddlesports Coaching and Kayaking the Bahamas with Nigel featuring Eila Wilkinson

    Welcome to today's episode of the Paddling the Blue, featuring guest Eila Wilkinson In this episode Eila discusses her coaching philosophy, Paddle UK pathways and qualifications, the importance of using your feet and core in kayaking, and dramatic expedition stories including surf, rescues and navigation challenges in the Bahamas. Eila Wilkinson Sea Kayaking Andros Island Wolf's Kayaking Club - Bahamas

    58 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    #155 - Paddling Florida's Great Calusa Blueway: Mangroves, Mounds & Manatees with Mike Hammond

    Mike Hammond oversees the Great Calusa Blueway, a nearly 200 mile paddling trail in Florida’s Lee County.  Mike joins today’s episode to talk about the area’s fascinating indigenous history, its interesting utopian history, the beauty of the trail, and why this might be your next paddling destination.  Highlights include the region’s unique subtropical wildlife (manatees, dolphins, shorebirds), the Calusa people and shell mounds like Mound Key, the Koreshan historic site, protected mangrove tunnels, safety considerations, volunteer stewardship, and inclusive outreach programs. Great Calusa Blueway: https://www.leegov.com/parks/Blueway About the Calusa Tribe: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/earth-systems/blog/tell-me-about-the-calusa-tribe/ Who were the Koreshans?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreshan_Unity

    53 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    #154 - Multi-modal solo kayaking and cycling on the US west coast and the Inside Passage with Katrin Tomanek

    In this episode Katrin Tomanek describes how she moved from climbing to kayaking and developed a style of multiimodal trips that combine sea kayaking and cycling to minimize driving. She shares how she learned skills, used careful planning and spreadsheets, and progressed from local trips to big expeditions. Katrin recounts standout journeys including a foggy, remote Lost Coast outing, a 52‑day mostly-solo paddle through the Inside Passage, and a counterclockwise circumnavigation of Vancouver Island that finished with a bike ride across the island. She discusses navigation in fog, wildlife encounters, food and gear choices, and how solo days and unexpected social connections shaped her experience. Enjoy today’s discussion of learning  and discovery! Connect: Blog: Wildly Inside: A Visual Journey Through the Inside Passage by Susan Conrad Katrin's planning spreadsheet

    49 min

  8. 12/01/2025

    #153 - Kayaking Dominica's Waitukubuli Sea Trail with Wes Moses

    Wes Moses operates the Soufriere Outdoor Center in Dominica. Wes joins the show today to talk about the Waitukubuli Sea Trail in Dominica — a 66 km sea kayaking route that highlights volcanic landscapes, sulfur baths, sea arches, snorkeling sites, and vibrant Creole villages. If you’re interested in paddling a Caribbean blue sea with warm water, rugged mountains spilling to the coast, sea arches, and unique foods, this might be the place for you. Soufriere Outdoor Center: www.soc-dom.com Paddle TV on YouTube: Paddle TV Dominica Blog: Lori Does The Thing - Dominica Time Magazine: Worlds Greatest Places Instagram SOC: @soufrieroutdoorcentre   Instagram Wes: @mrweskayak

    53 min
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4.9
out of 5
49 Ratings

About

John Chase interviews inspiring paddlers from the US and across the globe doing great things from the seat of a kayak. If you want to learn about sea kayaking destinations, trips, and personalities from the world of paddle sports, we have you covered!

Information

  • Creator
    John Chase
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    160
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Paddling the Blue All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Paddling The Blue Podcast

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