The Paddler's Pod

Oh, the week that was!

Sam & Macca have caught their breath after an awesome week in Perth, and they're back on the mics to re-live it.

But the paddling hasn't stopped... the 250km(!!!) PE2EL has been run and won in South Africa, while the Cape Point Challenge isn't too far behind.

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The World Championships have been run and won... and they're victories we'll be talking about for a long time.

Congratulations to Cory Hill and Jemma Smith on claiming the crowns! Sam & Macca are back to break down their races, and shine a light on those who went above and beyond, in the first of two instalments out of Perth.

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

The live show is back!

Sam & Macca were back on the mics in Perth at the 2023 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships, and we're so grateful for the crowd that turned out!

An all-star cast assembled for the show, with 3-time Olympic Champion-turned-surfski paddler James Tomkins, the inaugural ICF women's World Champion Michelle Eray AND current title holders Jemma Smith & Kenny Rice.

The sound quality isn't perfect, but if you listen in, you'll almost feel like you're there.

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An extraordinary week of racing has come to a close, courtesy of two extraordinary performances.

Sam & Macca are back to round out the week and analyse Cory Hill and Jemma Smith's stunning victories.

Top 10's, categories, the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week point score, and even a bit of number crunching... it's all in here, after what has been an outstanding celebration of surfski paddling.

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

Four stops down... one to go!

It's all coming to a head in Perth at the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week! There's been two races in the last 24 hours, but tomorrow, the main event arrives - the Doctor?

But will the wind turn up too? Sam & Macca try to make sense of the charts, while breaking down all of the latest action in this incredible week.

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It's heating up at the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week! Maybe even a bit too much.

With the field defying heatwave conditions, and offshore winds, to produce a blistering 11.5km dash up the coast in the second stop of the world's richest event, Sam & Macca are back to chat through it all.

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It's been months of waiting... and months of training... but the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week is here!

We'll be recording race recaps after each of the five stops, beginning today with the Fenn West Coast Downwinder.

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It had to happen eventually, right?

Macca made big steps in Hong Kong, and it's not just because of his podium finish at the Dragon Run.

There's a full breakdown of the race, and what those victories will do for both Kira Bester and Cory Hill heading to Australia.

Speaking of, the boys check in with the World's Fastest Paddler* and also the Interim World Champion* Fergus Morgan, ahead of the biggest two weeks of racing in the sport's history!

*Unverified.

This episode is powered by the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships - there's still time to get your entries in!

With Macca in Hong Kong for the Dragon Run, there's only one man who could fill the void... the great Austin Kieffer!

Sam & Austin talk through the impressive victories for Hank McGregor and Kira Bester at South Africa's iconic Pete Marlin, and also take a look at the return of this weekend's iconic Dragon Run!

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It's been circled for a long time, but the calendars have now turned over to the month of November... and the biggest few weeks of racing the sport has ever seen are now underway!

Sam & Macca are back to breakdown Australia's 20 Beaches Ocean Classic, plus take a look at the Pete Marlin in South Africa.

There's also a quick chat with an Olympic legend, and plenty of banter along the way.

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It's a cause for CELEBRATION!

The Paddler's Pod is raising the bat, chalking up a half-century of episodes!

So, after weeks spent trying to wrangle a convenient time to record, the boys are upbeat... and it's not the only milestone they're toasting.

There's also a full breakdown of the Coolangatta Gold downwind race, and a few left-field laughs as well.

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Lights... Camera... Action!

The paddler's are the actors, and all of the ocean is a stage... or, something like that. Things are picking up on social media and Sam & Macca are celebrating it!

There's also racing in Europe to talk through on the road to Perth!

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Sam & Macca are reunited... and it feels good!!

The boys have plenty to catch up on, like Macca's broken foot and Sam's run-in with crime.

But, more importantly, there's also plenty happening in the surfski world!

Gordan Harbrecht is firing, Hector Henot has returned, Danielle McKenzie continues to blow our minds, and Oscar Jones is on top of the podium.

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OK... maybe the last episode was a classic surfski false-start?

THIS TIME The Paddler's Pod is back! Although we are missing one of our co-hosts.

While Macca takes on huge surf somewhere off the grid in Indonesia, Sam is joined by the always brilliant Austin Kieffer to talk through The Gorge Downwind Championships!

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by the 2023 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships!

Entries are now open... book your place for surfski's greatest fortnight ever NOW!

... is this thing still on?

Yes, I know... we can't believe it either! The Paddler's Pod is back!

There's no shortage of things to chat about, so the boys start straight at the top: Cory Hill and Jemma Smith win at Molokai, Paddle Australia and the Australian Ocean Racing Series make amends, and Macca has a new boat!

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by the 2023 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Perth, Western Australia! Entries are now open, and everyone is welcome!

The Paddler's Pod is certainly finishing the year with a BANG!

It blew up online, now Sam & Macca give their take on the plan for the plan for the 2023 World Championships... and a warning - it comes with some passion.

The boys also chat through 20 Beaches and the Cape Point Challenge before they ring in the new year.

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

Sam & Macca have pulled themselves out of their coma and are back in front of the microphones to run through what was a huuuuuuuuge week of racing over in the West.

We hear from our top three men and women of the Doctor, as the boys count down their five biggest Power Plays from the event.

It's been a long-held dream... but The Paddler's Pod has gone LIVE for the very first time!

Sam & Macca took to the stage at the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week, backed by some pretty heavy-hitters. Jemma Smith, Cory Hill, Dean Gardiner and our patron Oscar Chalupsky all jump on stage with pretty hilarious results.

A huge thank you to Shaw and Partners and Oceanpaddler for making this possible, and above all else, our listeners for turning up. 

Yes, we've received your messages.

And yes, Sam and Macca are stepping out of their bunker.

The boys discuss The Great War on this latest episode of The Paddler's Pod, while also dissecting the rise of elite European paddling, Danielle McKenzie's move to Epic and Nick Notten's withdrawal from the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week.

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

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.

The boys are men of their word... well, this time at least, anyway.

Get up to date with all of the latest talking points in the surfski world with this special episode, 'The Catch Up'.

The Paddler's Pod is BACK! And it has a bit of everything in this episode.

The boys re-live the 'world's slowest drag race' that they shared at the Hells Gates 38, they break down the South African National Championships, Sam completely loses his mind in the longest rant the Pod has ever seen, before they're joined by the great Jasper Mocke!

Jasper reflects on the highs and lows of his incredible career and opens up about what has kept him going. It's a really insightful conversation about what it takes to be successful in the sport of downwind paddling.

To stay up-to-date with the latest from the surfski world, be sure to follow The Paddler on Facebook and Instagram. 

He has done just about everything there is to do in the world of surfski... and now, Hank McGregor can claim to be a guest on The Paddler's Pod!

The all-time legend opens up about his future racing plans, driving ambitions, and the learning journey that turned him into a champion.

Sam & Macca also break down all of the latest results from around the globe - with the Aussies and South Africans leading the charge.

This episode of The Paddler's Pod is powered by the Shaw and Partners Hells Gates 38!

Well, five people asked... so Sam & Macca have delivered.

The Paddler's Pod is stepping away from the world of downwind paddling for just one episode to break down all of the surfski action from the Australian Surf Lifesaving Titles.

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

He's soared to the top of surfski racing, but now Jackson Collins can lay claim to his biggest achievement to date... a guest spot of The Paddler's Pod!

The Australian all-rounder chats with Sam & Macca about how paddling was his 'Plan B', his introduction to it, and... yep... even the 2019 Dash for Cash in Perth. It's possibly the best story ever shared on the Pod.

Sam & Macca also try and make sense of the 'Gold Coast Curse' and break down a stacked race at The Chucky.

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

Macca is BACK! 

Call off the search party, Mackenzie Hynard has come home to The Paddler's Pod and we are stoked about it.

It's great timing, as there's some HUGE racing news to discuss with a star paddler switching manufacturers, another celebration of blokes being bested by a brilliant female paddler, as well as a really serious discussion about a hidden health time-bomb.

Legendary ironman and Molokai champion Guy Leech phones in to help explain that message - and it is one that you simply cannot miss.

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

It's hard to believe this is Austin Kieffer's first appearance on The Paddler's Pod, but nonetheless, he and Sam certainly make up for lost time.

The American surfski star helps break down the future of the Molokai Challenge, the return of Sean Rice and receive an update from Bonnie Hancock on her Shaw and Partners Paddle Around Aus.

Austin also shares his incredible journey to the top of elite racing, from his slalom kayak beginnings to hard lessons on the road, as well as shine a light on where surfski is headed in the US.

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

Racing is back! But Macca is not. So Sam has wrangled in Australian sprint king Mitchell Trim to chat through the latest in the surfski world.

The boys struggle to comprehend the downwind record smashed by Cape Town's Dale Robinson, discuss the cancellation of the Molokai Challenge and give their first-hand insights into the Bridge to Beach, won by Tom Norton and Danielle McKenzie.

Sam then dives into Trimmy's paddling journey, hearing how he's used ocean skis in training to help become one of the most successful spec ski paddlers the sport has seen.

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

It's our (soft) launch for 2022!

Sam is joined by guest host Mackenzie Morgan in the podcast studio to talk through a huge start to the year.

The Australian Ocean Racing Series begins, the World Championships are confirmed... and after two years, there's cause for optimism for international events!

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

One more time for 2021!

Sam & Macca return for the last time this year to breakdown all of the action and excitement from the Cape Point Challenge.

That includes speaking with the newly-crowned champion Nick Notten, who drops by for a really insightful conversation about his incredible run of victories, his paddling upbringing and his rivalry with his best friend Kenny Rice.

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

Back in one week! That's some kind of record, right? 

There's plenty to talk about as Sam & Macca (yep, he's back!) break down a PUMPING 20 Beaches and also look ahead to the Cape Point Challenge.

Sam also checks in with Jemma Smith after her incredible victory and finds out how she balances her career downwind, in sprint kayaking and as one of Australia's best surf ironwomen.

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

Sam & Macca are back... but not the Macca that you're expecting!

Work has sidelined Mr Hynard, but is in his place is ANOTHER Mackenzie who loves paddling all the same.

Menz and Sam discuss the upcoming long-distance expeditions, Jasper Mocke's PE2EL triumph, the huge end of year showdowns and also have a chat to Bonnie Hancock!

The ironwoman legend is ready to set off on her paddle around Australia, but before she goes, she's checked in with The Paddler's Pod for an update on her preparations.

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

It's a round-the-world trip on this episode of The Paddler's Pod!

The boys place 'Dougal's Epic Adventure' in the spotlight as he crosses Europe, head to Brazil with the great Oscar Chalupsky and cover off racing in Ireland and down under in Australia.

After a LOT of wrangling, Tom Norton finally jumps on for a chat with Sam & Macca, covering off his incredible season, his Tasmanian upbringing and a few classic memories from the past.

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

School's out for Macca, so The Paddler's Pod is back!

The boys start wading their way through all of the latest surfski news right around the world.. and it starts with the big stuff - should surfski races have run finishes?

From there, it's all things big waves, creative cross-training and racing results, before checking in the the 2021 European champion and World Championship bronze medallist, Judit Verges Xifra!

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

We don't want to talk it up... but it is undoubtedly the most incredible, breathtaking and miraculous surfski story you've ever heard!

Sam & Macca are back to try and make sense of a freak occurence, while also looking at what's next for racing in this age of uncertainty.

Their Olympic Fever hasn't quite left just yet, so they check in with 2015 Ocean Racing World Champion and New Zealand's finest Teneale Hatton after her Tokyo campaign!

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Sam & Macca have finally dragged themselves away from their TVs to jump behind the mic... and they have Olympic fever!

The boys argue about whether surfski deserves to be included in the greatest show on earth, while also covering the revolutionary new surfski program, pumping conditions at The Gorge and some first-class banter from our new World Champion.

They're also joined by the other, much more polite champion Michelle Burn!

This episode is powered by Vaikobi, proud partners of The Paddler.

Guests on The Paddler's Pod don't come any more high-profile than this!

As part of The Paddler's Profile series, Sam had an expansive chat with former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about his love of paddling, how it's influenced his career... and of course, threw him into the 10 Doubles segment!

This podcast delivers the full conversation, LIVE from Mr Turnbull's sea kayak on the pristine waters of Sydney Harbour.

To read the print article, click here.

This episode is powered by Vaikobi, proud partners of The Paddler.

The 2021 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships have been run and won... now Sam & Macca are here to talk through the action!

It's a World Champs Special from the boys, breaking down the standout performances - and weigh into the hot talking point!

The ICF Ocean Racing World Championships are just days away... and it has the boys excited!

Sam & Macca are back to preview the big race, while also talking safety, record downwind splits and even cover some recent surfski crime! Thankfully, it has a happy ending.

Ahead of the big race, Gordan Harbrecht joins The Paddler's Pod to chat about his preparation, his background and the rise of German paddling.

This episode is powered by Tourism Noosa and the Shaw and Partners Hell Gates 38.

He's an ironman icon, an Olympic medalist and a five-time Molokai Champion... now the great Grant Kenny is a guest on The Paddler's Pod!

Sam & Macca pick GK's brain for some tips and local's knowledge ahead of the Shaw and Partners Hells Gates 38 and hear some remarkable stories in the 10 Doubles.

The boys also break down the Forster Race Week, reflect on Cyril Derreumaux's attempted Pacific-crossing and reflect on surfski safety - it's their most important conversation to date, and is must-listen stuff.

This episode is powered by the Shaw and Partners Hells Gates 38!

Alright, alright... we know!

But the boys are back - and they have a pretty good excuse.

It's our LONGEST episode to date and it's worth the listen.

There's a real 'exploration' theme to this one... Sam & Macca check in with Cyril Derreumaux ahead of his cross-Pacific voyage, they chat to Valentin Henot about his adventures sailing around the globe, and of course, cover off all of the latest news from the global paddling scene!