Today’s episode marks a significant milestone to Paddling the Blue with episode #100. Our first episode released in February 2020 and we’ve come to you every two weeks since and we’ve had more than 120,000 listens from 103 countries.  

Thank you to every guest who has generously shared their experiences. Thank you to you for listening and for reaching out to tell us how you were inspired by a guest, giving your suggestions, and your support.  Because of you, we have had the opportunity to talk with guests across the globe about paddling on every continent. Thank you!

There are so many more stories to share with you and we are excited for the next 100 episodes! 

Today’s guest is West Hansen. West and the four person team, The Arctic Cowboys, came together to be the first team to paddle the entire length of the Northwest Passage by kayak in a single season. It’s a tale that takes us from Baffin Bay to the Beaufort Sea while dodging icebergs, massive ocean waves, and killer Corgi puppies. Team members include West Hansen, Jeff Wueste, Eileen Visser, and Mark Agnew.

Before we get to our chat with West:

We are grateful to everyone who has supported the show financially. If you would like to help, please visit our website at www.paddlingtheblue.com and click the Buy Me a Coffee icon. Every little bit helps offset the cost of the show and keep the stories coming.  

James and Simon at onlineseakayaking.com continue to produce great content to help you evolve as a paddler, and as a coach.   Everything from basic strokes and safety to paddling in tides, surfing, coaching, documentaries, it’s all in one place. If you’re not already a subscriber to Onlineseakayaking.com, here’s your opportunity to get started. Visit onlineseakayaking.com and use the coupon code PTBPODCAST at checkout and you’ll get 10% off up to 12 months of your subscription investment. 

Enjoy today’s episode with West Hansen!

Learn:

• The Arctic Cowboys (including route map)
• Running the Amazon, by Joe Kane
• Amazon Source to Sea, by West Hansen
• Amazon Woman: Facing ears, chasing dreams, and a quest to kayak the world's largest river from source to sea, by Darcy Gaechter

Connect:

• Westhansen.com

Katie Carr joins today's episode of the Paddling the Blue podcast. Katie recently released the book "Moderate Becoming Good Later" about her brother Toby’s quest to paddle all the areas of what’s known as the shipping forecast.   We have a great conversation about her experience writing the book, Toby’s love for paddling and life, and how paddling the shipping forecast is bringing her closer to family.

Get your copy of Moderate Becoming Good Later

Connect:

• Katie Annice Carr (website)
• Instagram
• Twitter/X

Learn:

• BBC 4 Shipping Forecast
• Attention All Shipping: A Journey Around the Shipping Forecast by Charlie Connelly
• Fanconi Anemia
• The Churchill Fellowship

Purchases made through links on this page may include affiliate links and generate income to help pay show expenses. 

Esther Wheeler is a driven endurance athlete, or as she calls herself, an accidental athlete. Today we will get a fascinating glimpse into the mind of an endurance athlete and how she manages herself before, during, and after the event. There are some great lessons that we can apply across different paddling disciplines and life in general, even if we’re not racing.

Connect:

• Instagram
• Twitter

Learn:

• Tower Hamlets
• Lane Cove River Kayakers
• Pacific Dragons Outrigger and Dragonboat club
• Yukon River Quest
• Canadian Death Race
• Barkley Marathons