This podcast is about kayaking and the people who kayak. It’s about tracing coastlines, discovering the relationship between land and sea, and exploring how we build a special bond with our kayak. Paddlers will share their stories from the water and reveal how they’ve developed their skills along the way. Where confidence takes us beyond our comfort zone
In this episode, we explore what different kayak rolls teach your body, which muscles each roll emphasizes, and how practicing a variety of techniques can build a stronger, more adaptable roll. We also look at some classic rolling mistakes, and when it might actually be time to “fire” your instructor! Packed with practical tips, insights, and explanations from experienced instructors Chessy Knight and Annelisa Pedersen .
How understanding the traditional paddling skills used by Innuits, transferred to modern kayaking? Chessy Knight was one of the instructors at the South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayak Symposium (Sstiks). In this episode, she shares what valuable skills can you learn from throwing a harpoon and build a "skin" on frame boat that can be used in your daily paddling . https://masikrolling.com/
One of the oldest surviving Inuit kayaks has returned to Canada after spending centuries in the Vatican Museums. What can a hand-crafted kayak, built more than 100 years ago, teach us today? In this episode, I speak with Darrel Nasogaluak of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, who was the person that identified the kayak. Drawing on the traditional knowledge passed down by his grandfather, Darrel recognized unique construction details that revealed the kayak's origins. He shares how this remarkable vessel was built, how it was used, and what it tells us about the craftsmanship, culture, and life on the water, in this rich area over a century ago. We wrap up the episode with a special performance recorded at the 2025 Beluga Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJSJ8Hr0RZ8&list=PLorCqAj2t42DwgJVKC4eWZ5QBeTRZ2Upt&index=3
The Columbia River, the largest river in the Pacific Northwest, stretches about 1,200 miles. From the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia Canada through Washington and Oregon to the Pacific Ocean. Neil Schulman is an ocean kayaker, lives in Portland, Oregon, returns to share his journey paddling sections of this remarkable river.
Warren Williamson is a self-taught designer who combined his woodworking skills and passion for paddling to building unique wooden kayaks. In this episode, we look into the type of boats he builds and how each is being used on the water. Here are some of his designs: https://www.coroflot.com/idezineit
One of my favorite parts of kayaking is witnessing the ever changing relationship between the land and the sea. At low tide, the shoreline transforms, exposing colorful rock walls, tide pools, and a hidden world that disappears beneath the waves just hours later. Roy Jantzen, author of Wildlife Weekends , joins us to reveal the fascinating lives of the creatures and the incredible and how much they have to adopt to survive.
Canoe Polo, also known as Kayak Polo, originated in Great Britain in the late 19th century. It is a fast-paced contact sport that demands advanced paddling skills, including rolling, edging, boat control, and constant situational awareness. My guest, Neil Schulman from Oregon, is both an experienced ocean kayaker and a competitive kayak polo player. In this episode, he explains how the skills developed on the polo court can transfer directly to ocean kayaking and help paddlers handle real-world conditions with greater confidence and control.
The Race to Alaska (R2AK) kicks off this Sunday, June 14. About 70 teams will take on the 1,200 km (750-mile) journey from Washington State to Alaska, a race that can take up to three weeks to complete. While most competitors sail, a handful of determined sea kayakers choose to paddle the entire distance. Scott McDonald from Victoria, did it a few years ago . He shares the skills, preparation, and mindset needed to paddle for three weeks through some of the Pacific Northwest's most challenging conditions. Find out about the race and the teams here: https://r2ak.com/
Personal goals are what drive us to improve, grow, and get better. Caroline Ross of Crosscurrents Kayak , lives in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and has set a personal goal to circumnavigate 40 small islands. So far, she has paddled 186.27 nautical miles (344.97 km). In this episode, she shares the challenges and highlights of this ongoing journey. https://crosscurrentskayak.ca/
Known for his skill and experience in dynamic coastal environments, Rowan Jones Pardy believes: " Rock gardening is the intersection where skills, technique, and energy meet." Growing up on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Rowan is a sea kayak guide and instructor who learned to paddle before he learned to walk. In this episode, we explore what it takes to paddle confidently in and around rocks.
Real learning happens outside the comfort zone. In this episode, I speak with Caroline Ross , owner of Crosscurrents Kayak on Central Vancouver Island. Caroline specializes in sea kayak training, including dynamic and moving water courses, and teaches a unique program called underwater, composure helping paddlers build confidence and control in challenging conditions. https://crosscurrentskayak.ca/
Large herring bait balls can still be seen along parts of the west coast of Canada and the United States. While salmon often gets most of the attention, this time of the year, herring are what truly bring the coast to life: attracting whales, sea lions, seabirds, and countless other marine species. Roy Jantzen, author of Wildlife Weekends is back to share insights about the herring spawn, the wildlife it attracts, and some fascinating hydrophone surprises recorded beneath the surface. Listen live to whale's sounds, BC Hydrophone Network: https://whalesound.ca/whales-and-sound/ Orca Lab: https://www.youtube.com/live/_M2WVpSzgCI
The west side of Haida Gwaii, BC , is one of the most exposed stretches of coastline in Canada. More complex than the east coast and offering a mix of reefs, current channels, exposed headlands and tidal currents with far fewer landing options. This 155 nautical-mile journey from Sandspit to Rose Harbour demands strong skills, careful planning. My returning guest, Finn Steiner , co-owner of SKILS , shares how he is preparing for his 16 days solo expedition to Haida Gwaii this summer beside taking a 3 pieces kayak and a camera. https://skils.ca
“My days on the river are not done yet,” says Patricia (Pat) Jones, 72. Pat has taken on the Yukon River Quest 3 times, completing it twice, finishing second in the women’s category both times, and becoming the oldest woman to finish the race . one if them was a flood year. Waves reached up to 2 meters, and many boats capsized along the 715 km (444-mile) course of the longest paddling race in the world. In the last episode, she shared the story of the race she never finished. In this episode she Shares the lessons learned, saved a few people on the way and did it all over again. Registration for the race closes May 13, 2026. https://www.yukonriverquest.com/
The Yukon River Quest is the longest paddling race in the world. Its 715 km (444-mile) journey from Whitehorse to Dawson City, tracing routes shaped by the Klondike Gold Rush. Racers come from around the globe, competing in categories ranging from solo paddlers to eight-person canoe teams. My guest, Patricia (Pat) Jones , has taken on this challenge 3 times, completing the race twice and finishing second in the women’s category both times. In this episode, she shares the story of the race she didn’t finish and what it truly takes, physically, mentally, and emotionally, to face one of the most demanding river races on Earth. Registration to the race close on May 13 2026 https://www.yukonriverquest.com/
To better understand communication and rescue in dynamic water, I invited back Robert Nissenbaum coastal kayak and Greenland style paddling instructor. In this conversation, Robert breaks down how he teaches behavior in moving water, and how decision-making, technique, and communication come together when conditions become dynamic like surf, Rock Gardening and Surf. rnissenbaum.com
We constantly face the tension between curiosity and comfort. When do we step outside our comfort zone? Explore or exploit? Are you a technical or a tactical paddler? Today’s guest is deeply interested in how paddlers make decisions. Finn Steiner, co-owner of Skills, is based in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, BC. A highly experienced kayak instructor and guide, Finn shares his perspective on the explore vs. exploit paradox and how it plays out on the water. “Sea kayaking sits right in the middle of that relationship between instinct and analysis,” he says. https://skils.ca/our-team/
In this episode we will focus on the body/blade position during different strokes and the differences between euro blade and a Greenland paddle. To explain all that I invited Robert Nisenbaum who is a Coastal kayak and Greenland style paddling instructor based in Seattle Washington. rnissenbaum.com
Thomas Bechmann from the island of Fyn in Denmark, moved to Greenland for a year to gain experience paddling one of the most remote stretches of the Greenlandic coast. He paddled for 2 months, about 1600 kilometers from Assissut to Sisimiut. In this episode, he shares lessons from his solo expedition: What to do when the wind pulls you under the ice, why walruses are wary of white paddles, what happens when polar bears miss their ride on drifting ice, and even what to do with leftover caribou. This is a raw Arctic experience for kayakers. During his expedition, Thomas listened to the same love song every day. We end this episode with that song. With gratitude to Rasmus Lyberth Greenlandic singer for allowing us to share his beautiful song “Asanaqigavit” - Because I love you . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPWifJcqZGs
Not many boutique, handcrafted boat builders are still around. One of them has been doing it for over 50 years on the west coast of Canada. On Quadra Island, Steve Schleicher of Rainforest Designs Ltd is the mind and hands behind Nimbus kayaks. In this episode, he joins me with Rob Bender of Nimbus Paddles to share insights into their newest boat design coming out this spring. A special thank you to Kathy, Don, Lynda, and Ken for sharing which Nimbus boats they paddle and why they love them. https://www.nimbuskayaks.com/products.htm
