Can you feel that, listeners? The temperature is changing, tensions are rising and Australia's biggest races are coming... no wonder everyone is on edge!

Sam & Macca are back to sink their teeth into it, taking a look at where the world's leading paddlers are at approaching the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week.

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Wash Rider!

Well, that's cooked.

It's been labelled "the loosest story" to hit The Paddler's Pod, which is fitting, because this is a loose episode.

Sam & Macca chat surf etiquette, speaking with sharks, forgotten forces and the paddling world's 'sleeping giant'.

Plus, another somewhat special announcement.

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by the Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches Ocean Classic!

It's a very special episode of The Paddler's Pod to make a very special announcement.

Actually, make that a few... as Shaw and Partners co-CEO Earl Evans and Oceanpaddler director Dean Gardiner join Sam to unveil a few more surprises around the WA Race Week.

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Wash Rider!

And just like that, it's all over!

Still catching their breath after a gruelling race, Sam & Macca break down all of the action at the 2022 World Championships, including interviews with all of the Opens medalists. 

This episode of the podcast is powered by Vaikobi!

It's the ultimate example of last-minute preparations, but the World Championships are running in 24 hours, so Sam & Macca have finally got their act together to preview it!

Conditions, course and top three predictions. 

It's late, but it's all there on The Paddler's Pod!

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Wash Rider!

Something different on this episode of The Paddler's Pod, with Macca turning from host into guest.

He and Sam chat through the highs and lows of racing and how to pick yourself up after a disappointing result.

The boys also cast their eye over the current Australian circuit after a stack of recent races, and yep, she's done it again... Bonnie Hancock has claimed another World Record!

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Wash Rider!

Bonnie Hancock is back at home on the Gold Coast... and now, back at home on The Paddler's Pod.

In an extended interview, Hancock reveals the hidden pain behind her 12,700 kilometre circumnavigation of Australia and the brutal injuries that came with it. We knew she was tough, but we didn't show she had to face challenges like this.

The highs and the lows, it's all in here as Sam & Macca help to unpack her record-breaking achievement.

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Vaikobi!

And remember - it's not too late to support Bonnie's fundraising for mental health charity Gotcha4Life. Hit the link below.

https://gotcha4life-fundraising.raisely.com/bonniehancock?fbclid=IwAR2LGFSyzwndoFH7GvMPD5OLmgC6_KYxjBcjKtCjy6_T-sqTQ7NCpARKuIk

The boys are back down under and straight back to work after a huge trip to the Gorge.

They're not alone - Oscar Chalupsky is an author, the WA Race Week has put up $260,000 and Sydney surfski paddlers have been given a safety serve... there's plenty doing!

Sam also checked in with canoe marathon champion Andy Birkett and chatted about his transition to the holy world of surfski.

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Mocke Paddling!

The first major international race since the COVID-19 pandemic began did not disappoint!

The world's best paddlers were flying at the Gorge Downwind Championships, and somewhere amid all of the action, Sam & Macca were able to record a new episode.

The boys completely breakdown the race and those who stood out, before chatting with one of the greatest pioneers our sport has seen, Greg Barton.

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by Vaikobi!

The Paddler's Pod is coming to you LIVE from Hood River in the USA ahead of the Gorge Downwind Champs!

International racing has returned and Sam and Macca are right there in the thick of it, breaking down the form guide ahead of the big race.

One of the front-runners Ana Swetish drops by to provide a local perspective on the huge week.