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In this episode of The Dubcast with Dubside, we visit kayak designer and rough water paddler Warren Williamson in his Anacortes workshop. Warren walks us through the evolution of his designs—from the perfectly curved hull of the Cayenne, to the true-to-form baidarka, to the fast and fluid Rosario—each born from years of experimentation with how water truly wants to move around a kayak. We also explore Warren’s innovative paddle development, as he explains how a single Greenland paddle set him on a path from classic narrow blades to the short, wide, ultra-thin power blades he now carves by hand. Chessy Knight shares how these designs perform in the real world of whirlpools, surf, and tidal races. We close with a remembrance of Warren’s long time friend and founder of the Skin Boat School, Corey Freedman, whose mentorship and legendary “Corey’s Goop” helped shape an entire generation of builders. 

LINKS: 

Masik Kayak Rolling (Chessy Knight) 

 The Skin Boat School 

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In this special guest episode of The Dubcast with Dubside, Dubside sits down with longtime SSTIKS organizer and mentor Joanne Barta. Recorded in May 2025 at the TRAQS gathering in Florida, the conversation traces Joanne’s journey from her first awe-filled paddle in Southeast Alaska to becoming a central figure in the South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayak Symposium (SSTIKS) and Qajaq USA events.

Joanne shares how she discovered Greenland paddles, built her own boats, and grew into a respected instructor—especially known for her work teaching kids to roll. She and Dubside talk about what made SSTIKS unique: its deep commitment to families, a full kids’ program with appropriately sized skin-on-frame kayaks and paddles, and a collaborative organizing culture that kept costs low and community at the center.

They also discuss the challenges of keeping an event alive through COVID, and then sparking a rebirth of SSTIKS in 2025 at Vista Park in Skamokawa, Washington. Along the way, Joanne recalls memorable international adventures, including an early traditional kayaking event in Argentina with improvised kayak builds, unfamiliar local customs, and a mayor-backed exemption just to get kayaks home on car roofs.

It’s a 40-minute tour through the history and future of SSTIKS—and a tribute to the community that keeps traditional kayaking thriving.

LINKS:

SSTIKS 2025

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In this episode, Dubside and Andrew visit legendary sea kayaker Nigel Foster and ceramic artist Kristin Nelson at their home in Seattle during their road trip to SSTIKS 2025. Nigel reflects on his lifelong journey on the water — from his early days paddling skin-on-frame boats on the English coast, to designing the Vyneck for his record-setting 1977 circumnavigation of Iceland, and creating iconic kayaks like the Legend, Shadow, and Silhouette. He shares stories of innovation, independence, and the spirit of exploration that has shaped a generation of paddlers. Kristin talks about her ceramic work, her collaborations with other artists, and how handmade objects bring warmth and meaning into everyday life. A conversation about craftsmanship, curiosity, and finding art in both water and clay. 

Links: 

Nigel Foster’s Amazon Page  

Nigel Foster Kayaks 

VitCeramics.com

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A whirlwind primer on Greenland’s National Kayaking Championships—past, present, and (very likely) Nuuk 2026. Fresh from Delmarva, Dubside breaks down the events (races, rolling, ropes, harpoon), the divisions, how scoring works, and what it actually feels like to compete. He shares travel/lodging realities, costs, gear options (including Qajaq USA fleet ideas), and why “attitude over ability” is the only qualifier that matters. Along the way: stories from the beach in Qaqortoq, a lesson in patience from judging days, Nate Apgar’s mid-start mindset shift, and why the whole thing ultimately exists “for the kids.” If you’re curious about joining Team Qajaq USA—or cheering from home—this is your roadmap. #QUSANUUK2026

LINKS:

Delmarva Paddler’s Retreat

Find transcripts to our episodes on The Dubcast with Dubside website on Buzzsprout

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When Dubside discovers a crack in his fiberglass kayak after a trip to Delmarva, he and Andrew hit the road in search of answers. Their journey takes them to Gig Harbor, Washington, where Dubside reconnects with an old friend—Rhonda Schwab, a longtime kayak repair expert and the founder of Kayakers Go Coastal.

Rhonda has been fixing kayaks for over 25 years, and in this in-depth conversation, she walks Dubside through the art of fiberglass repair—from emergency field fixes to full gel coat restoration.

This is the first episode of The Dubcast with Dubside recorded entirely on video, and it’s part how-to guide, part reunion, and part love letter to the kayak community of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or just curious about how to keep your kayak seaworthy, this episode is packed with expert tips, practical advice, and plenty of kayak nerdiness.

LINKS:

Kayakers Go Coastal

Top Kayaker

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Andrew and Dubside kick off with BIG NEWS: plans to assemble an American team for the 2026 Greenland National Kayaking Championships in Nuuk. From travel tips to team jackets, they lay the groundwork for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, participating in one of the most unique paddling events in the world.  Then Dubside interviews Florida paddler and flute-maker Mike Knight, who shares his journey into kayaking and Greenland-style paddles. He performs hauntingly beautiful melodies on the Native American flutes he handcrafts. A one-of-a-kind episode that blends tradition, craft, and the spirit of exploration.

LINKS:
Check us out on INSTAGRAM.

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Episode 72 picks up where #71 left off—on the road (and sea) through Greenland and Denmark in July 2025. Highlights include the kayak championships in Sisimiut (with qajaatullamaak winners Ujarneq Tobiassen and Ivinnquaq Olsen), a quiet overnight aboard the Sarfaq Ittuk, and a laid‑back stay at Nuuk’s Seaman’s Home while the city buzzes with new construction. Dubside reconnects with friends old and new, previews forthcoming interviews with filmmaker Inuk Silis Høegh and cultural guide Mikkel Larsen, and drops music and culture gems: the TUSAS Music app, the rising Bolt Lamar streetwear brand, and a packed two‑day “Greenland in Tivoli” showcase featuring DDR (“Sussa!”), Naneruaq, and a duet set from Rasmus Lyberth and Julie Bertelsen. There’s even a coin‑collector detour—from the Apostle Islands U.S. quarter to Denmark’s 2010 kayak 20‑kroner. Plus: a shout‑out to a listener who recognized him in the crowd, and a nudge to check out the new Instagram: @the_dubcast_with_dubside.

LINKS:

Guide to Greenlandic culture: Introduction to how Greenlanders think and act. By Mikkel Larsen

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Dubside is back from Greenland! In this long-anticipated report, he recounts his 2025 journey to the Greenland National Kayaking Championship — a trip filled with unexpected delays, travel detours, and spontaneous moments of generosity and connection. From navigating airline mishaps and expired currency to rolling with an international team and reconnecting with old friends, Dubside paints a vivid portrait of the joys and challenges of Arctic travel.

There’s even a near-miss accident that almost derailed the whole adventure — and a haunting musical performance recorded with natural echo in a mysterious underground monument in Copenhagen.

This episode is a rich blend of storytelling, culture, and sound — with a preview of what’s to come in Episode #72.

Qaannamik unammersuarneq 2025: Iligiikkaarluni kingusaqattaarneq 

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In this episode, Dubside and Andrew catch up with renowned sea kayak coach Leon Sommé, co-founder of Body Boat Blade International on Orcas Island. Leon shares the journey from his first sea kayak in the Boundary Waters to building one of North America’s most respected kayak schools with his partner, Shawna Franklin. Along the way, he talks about memorable expeditions—including circumnavigating Iceland and Vancouver Island—the golden era of sea kayaking symposiums, Greenland paddling influences, and the enduring value of teaching risk assessment and seamanship. Now medically retired from professional coaching, Leon reflects on a lifetime on the water, the community he helped shape, and the adventures that still keep him moving.

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In this episode of The Dubcast with Dubside, we sit down with Maddi Murphy—paddler, performer, and mental health counselor-in-training—at the Delmarva Paddlers Retreat. Maddi first attended Greenland-style kayaking events as a child, rolling her first kayak at just 14, and has since grown into a thoughtful and dedicated mentor in the community.

Dubside and Maddi explore her early introduction to traditional kayaking, what it was like to return to the sport as a teenager, and the rewarding (and sometimes frustrating) experience of teaching others to roll. Maddi shares powerful insights into the psychological barriers that can hold people back—especially those coping with fear or trauma—and how grounding techniques from her counseling work can help students regain calm and confidence on the water.

From rolling progression to Dashboard Dramas, and from stiff old kayakers to the strength of young women, this is a rich, heartfelt conversation about growth, resilience, and finding joy in the water.

Delmarva Paddler's Retreat