Today's encore episode of Paddling the Blue features Jon Hynes sharing stories from the Cork coastline, his love for Fastnet Rock, and his solo crossings, plus why adventure, preparation, and resilience matter.

He discusses teaching philosophy, “train dirty” skill-building, environmental stewardship for paddlers, and practical tips for planning large expeditions. The episode is a mix of inspiring adventure, coaching insight, and a call to care for our coasts.

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Elaine Alexander, or Shooter as she is known to friends, joins today’s episode of the podcast to speak about her late start in paddling, training and teaching at Share Discovery Village, and the determination that led to a solo circumnavigation of Ireland — 71 days with 51 on the water, stormbound moments, and life-changing encounters.

The episode highlights the generosity of coastal communities, the support network that made the expedition possible, Shooter’s fundraising and advocacy work including Summit to Sea for MND, and SHARE’s inclusive outdoor programs.

Website: Share Discovery Village

Traditional Greenland Games at Share

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Summit to Sea for MND

Daniel Robison recounts his lifelong love of paddling and his expedition to paddle all 315 miles of Florida’s St. Johns River. Join us as we talk about changing ecosystems from swamp to brackish estuary, close encounters with wildlife including alligators and manatees, and the challenges of navigating shallow canals and wide lakes. 

About the St. Johns River

St. Johns Riverkeeper

To Rivers End by Daniel Robison

What is a Nutria?

Today's episode is an encore presentation of a November 2023 interview with Katie Carr about her brother Toby’s ambitious project to kayak in every area of the BBC Shipping Forecast and the books that followed: Moderate Becoming Good Later and Thundery at Times.

Katie describes how she turned Toby’s notes and recordings into a book, took up sea kayaking to finish the remaining regions, and relied on the global paddling community while navigating grief and personal growth.

Get your copy of Moderate Becoming Good Later

Get your copy of Thundery at Times

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Steve Maynard joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast to talk about about his journey from sea kayaking instructor to professor of Expeditionary Studies at SUNY Plattsburgh. We discuss how the program works, capstone expeditions, mentoring, and the credentials and experience that shaped his teaching and coaching.

The episode also explores some of the paddling dogma in our sport along with some of Steve's favorite paddling venues from Wales to down‑east Maine.

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Caleb McIntyre recounts a life-changing 16-day (mostly) human-powered crossing of Nicaragua — mixing kayaking and cycling to move from the Pacific to the Caribbean. He describes logistical challenges (customs, transporting kayaks), dramatic lake crossings, time in remote archipelagos, crocodile filled rivers, and the unique culture and people he met along the Rio San Juan.

The episode highlights expedition planning, risk management, and how packable TRAK kayaks made the trip possible, while reflecting on how the journey rekindled Caleb’s love of adventure and shaped his perspective as a paddler and parent.

Today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast features Rob Henshall, who has circumnavigated Ireland six times in six different craft — from a Nordkapp kayak to a Contessa sailboat, plus a laser dinghy, a windsurfer, and more. Rob shares how he started on the water, the minimalist gear that carried him around the island, and what kept him going through 66 days and countless challenges.

Along the way he recalls near‑misses (including a foggy night with a container ship), close encounters with dolphins, Guinness-courage and pub moments, and the lessons learned across multiple expeditions. 

Chris Reed joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast to share the 25-year story behind Reed Chillcheater, from developing the Aquatherm fabric and UK-based production to creating innovative paddling garments used by kayakers, anglers, mountaineers and the film industry.  Staying small and focusing on what’s important to him has kept the business grounded.

The episode also covers Chris's personal paddling experiences, his embrace of the Greenland stick, community-focused business ethics, symposiums and more.

Reed Chillcheater

Jennifer Gosselin and Pierre Pepin quit the rat race, sold everything, and spent four years paddling a canoe across North America with their dog Jasmine by their side, following historic fur trade routes and the Great Loop. Along the way they faced extreme weather, long portages, wildlife encounters, and unexpected kindness from locals.

Join us as we talk about their planning and challenges, memorable human connections that sustained the journey, and what’s next as they build an expedition sailboat to continue voyaging.

Wild Raven Adventure

Recorded live at Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin, today's episode of Paddling the Blue features interviews with a wide range of guests: activists protecting the Boundary Waters, the team behind the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, international trip operators from Kayak Portugal, organizers of the MR340 endurance race, and makers of paddles and boats sharing design and craft insights.

Thanks to Chris Hipgrave and the P&H Sea Kayaks / Pyranha Kayaks team for making space in their booth to record this episode, and of course for building my favorite top quality boats. 

Thank you to the enthusiastic audience who joined me at each of my presentations over the weekend. It’s exciting to see full rooms of smiling faces learning about ways to love paddling even more.  Thank you to all the listeners who stopped by the booth to say hello. I love hearing how Paddling the Blue has inspired and positively impacted you.  And thank you to the Rutabaga Paddlesports team for producing Canoecopia! It’s a pleasure to be part of this wonderful paddling community and I look forward to many more opportunities to connect one to one in the future.