In Between Swims:The Whitewater Podcast

From the website Site Zed, Kirk Eddlemon joins In Between Swims for his story "No Province for Old Men." "From our overhung perch hundreds of feet above Snowcap Creek, it appeared Bett and I would have a slow if not bumpy flow.  We quickly assessed it as perfect for a September afternoon exploratory fix.  Only after pulling a few strokes into the bulging center flow did we immediately adjust our assessment from "a good first time level" to "high water indeed..." Look for more from Site Zed on future episodes of In Between Swims!  

Live from the 5 Point Adventure Film Festival, In Between Swims presents a special panel discussion on women and the outdoors with top outdoors-women and athletes from the Asheville, NC area. Thanks to 5 Point for hosting the panel and look for the live video feed of the event at Facebook.com/inbetweenswims. Thanks for listening!

Amber Valenti Armstrong and Krystle Wright of the Nobody's River expedition join Jeff over coffee, hot chocolate, and a crowded hotel cafe on this episode of In Between Swims. We discuss the 2500 mile all-women's expedition on the Amur River in Mongolia and eastern Russia.  Marked by challenges before the trip left the States, Amber and Krystle chat about what it means to be a woman explorer in today's world, the challenges of opening yourself up to adventure while supporting those around you, and the epic of traversing 2500 miles in far eastern Asia. Thanks for listening!

A special Olympics edition of In Between Swims with Team USA K-1 Women's athlete Ashley Nee.  Ashley joins from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil where she is preparing for the Olympics Opening Ceremony and competition in whitewater slalom. I talk to Ashley about the state of the Olympics in Rio, her relationship with her boat, a preview of the course, and her qualifying path to get to the Olympics. Thanks for listening!

Welcome back!  On this episode of In Between Swims, I sit down with Eric Jackson of Jackson Kayaks to talk whitewater, kayak fishing, 'Jackson Hate', the state of the kayaking world, and many other things. It's been a while.  Thanks for your notes and emails and, as always...thanks for listening! See you on the river!  

Kayakers Emily Jackson and Steve Fisher give their Ted Talks, Uncompromising and Breaking Down Risk.Thanks for listening!

On this winter episode of In Between Swims....  I discuss the options, advance, and possibilities for whitewater boaters for POV cameras with paddler and outdoorsman Ken Hoeve.Then, following last month's news of Corran Addison re-joining Riot Kayaks - Corran and I talk about how the move happened, lessons learned from the kayak boom of the 90's, and what this means for paddlesport going forward. SYOTR!

On this episode of In Between Swims....Photojournalist Pete McBride explores the difficulties and similarities of the Colorado and Ganges rivers. I speak with the team of Expedition Inception as they prepare for their multi-country kayaking mission, and.... H2O Dreams whitewater kayak instructor Chris Wing helps us train our 'lizard brain' as we prepare to step up our paddling skills. Thanks for listening!

It's time for the Green Race!  On this episode, I sit down with multiple Green Race champion Tommy Hilleke to discuss the logistics and strategy for setting safety at the Green Race, especially at signature rapids Gorilla and Go Left.Thanks for listening! 

Downriver racer Geoff Calhoun joins me to talk about all things Gauley - the river, the rapids, the Festival, the experience.  We break down the big rapids and talk about the lines from a racer's perspective.  Plus, a helpful hint or two to make the best out of your Gauley Festival experience.... Thanks for listening!

Paddler and author Leland Davis presents an audio teaser for his new novel, Precipice. "Chip is swept into a harrowing world of special operations and intrigue that plunges him deep into the jungles of Mexico and far from his comfort zone-where he embarks upon his own quest to become the first person to kayak off a mysterious hidden waterfall. In the remote jungle canyon, Chip uncovers a plot that leads him all the way back to the halls of power in Washington, DC, and over the edge into the life of an assassin..."

Red Bull athlete Steve Fisher stops by to talk about his latest expedition and award winning film 'Congo:The Inga Project.'  Together with Benn Marr, Rush Sturges, and Tyler Bradt - Steve and his team made the first descent of the Inga rapids of the Congo River in Africa.  Steve and I talk about attempting a section of the largest volume of whitewater ever run and pivotal in African exploration history. His film has won numerous awards and his team was named Outside Magazine's 'Adventurers of the Year' for their journey.

A collection of the best (and worst) swims of In Between Swims.  Featuring stories from seasoned pro's and amateur alike, I look back at epic tales from Emily Jackson, Steve Fisher, Tao Berman, Woody Calloway and many more.

In Between Swims presents the audio version of late, African river pioneer Hendri Coetzee's blog, 'The Great White Explorer' with host, Jeff McIntyre. "The days of the great explorers who walked onto blank continents and sailed into unending oceans are gone for good.  People like me are wanabes, lucky that there are some places that have not had their mysteries trampled by previous generations feet.  The Murchison section of the Nile is one such place...."

There's a difference between running the river and racing the river.  Experienced Green racer Jason Beakes joins the show to talk about how to race the Green River, what makes it difficult, and takes us through the strategy for each rapid.

Join Liquid Logic's Woody Calloway, EJ from Jackson Kayaks, Snowy Robertson from Dagger Kayaks, Zoar Outdoor's Bruce Lessels and a gathering of instructors and paddlers at an open discussion on the on the past, present and future of boat design from the Whitewater Symposium at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Finishing up the 2011 Outdoor Retailer coverage with a conversation with Imagine Surf designer and paddler Corran Addison.

Kokatat's Matt Porter talks about new base layers and Kokatat's new limited edition drysuit and pfd.

Following our recent episode with Steve Horvath of Core Paddles, we catch up at Outdoor Retailer about Core's experience reaching out to retailers and what it's like to be a "new" company at the show.

Liquid Logic designer Shane Benedict talks about the latest Logic boats - the Stomper and the Freeride - and how the design idea originated.

Riot owner Marc Pelland talks about introducing customized carbon playboats into the Riot line of boats.

Checking in with the low-profile Contour headcams and hands-free cams for paddlers.

A new entry into the whitewater market, Sperry Top-sider talks about their interest in the paddling community and introduces their river shoe collection.

John Weld from Immersion Research joins to talk about the newest in IR dry gear and industry trends....

C4 Waterman CEO/stand up paddler/surfer Todd Bradley discusses stand up paddling, rivers, and the future of SUP.

Dagger designer Snowy talks about the improvements and updates given to this year's Dagger Mamba.

Jackson Kayak's Dane Jackson catches us up on the new Fun Runner and Zen kayaks - and talks about his successful year at the Whitewater Grand Prix and World Freestyle Championships.

Talking pfd's with Astral Buoyancy's Philip Curry and Yonton Mehler at Outdoor Retailer.

Coverage of the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show with Pyranha's Robert Peerson.

Core Paddles Designer Steve Horvath stops by to talk about the basics of paddle design, the start-up of his new company, and the challenges of innovation in the current environment.

On this episode of In Between Swims, we look at three paddlers with a vision for paddling that goes beyond the next horizon line. Anson Fogel discusses the production and success of his award winning film "Wildwater, A Love Story."  We continue the conversation with Doug Ammons - focusing on the promise and problem of river ratings.  And, we check in with Jessie Stone with the latest on her work in Uganda with Soft Power Health and in New York City with the Inner City Kids Kayak Camps. Thanks for listening!

Patrick Camblin joins In Between Swims to talk about the gathering of the world's top boaters for the inaugural Whitewater Grand Prix!

The American Whitewater Story of the Year! Mike McDonnell's tale of a Canadian whitewater trip, a swim, a lost boat, and much, much more.....

What do Mariann Saether, Anna Levesque, and Emily Jackson have in common?  They kick-off the new season of In Between Swims! First up, River Angel Mariann Saether and I review her recent 2 person expedition on the Utla River in Norway's deepest canyon. Anna Levesque and I talk about being a better boater through yoga, and... Emily Jackson catches us up on how her life has changed since winning the World Championship last year. And, of course...there's a swim.... Thanks for listening!

Considered by many to be the greatest whitewater canoe slalom racer, five-time World Champion and Olympian Jon Lugbill delivers the keynote address at the International Whitewater Hall of Fame ceremony and National Slalom Championships.  Thanks for listening!

On this episode of In Between Swims, Heather Herbeck catches up with River Angel of the Month Lori Turbes.  Wes Bradley talks about staging grassroots freestyle events as part of the Hometown Throwdown series, and David Weber and I do our annual post Outdoor Retailer trend review. Be sure to join the show on Facebook at facebook.com/inbetweenswims. Thanks for listening!

For the In Betwen Swims coverage of the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show, I sit down with Duke Brouwer of SurfTech to talk about the basics of stand up paddling, the potential of SUP's, and the diversity of options for stand up paddling.

Riot Kayaks has always generated buzz and packed booths at prior OR's.  This year, owner Jeff Rivest left Riot the week before 2010 Outdoor Retailer began to join Point 65 Sweden. I stopped by Riot to speak with new owners/partners Mark Pelland and Dauphine Wu to talk about the transition and what the future  holds for Riot Kayaks.  Here's what they had to say....

A new boat at OR?  Pyranha has one - the Pyranha Varun.  Pyranha designer Richard Taylor talks about the design inspiration  for their new river runner and the influence of whitewater characteristics into sea kayak designs on In Between Swims coverage of the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show.

AquaPac checks with In Between Swims at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show on their range of products to keep your gear dry - and about reaching out to a special community of paddlers.

World Vision checks in with In Between Swims with why they have chosen to participate at Outdoor Retailer - and the need for better awareness of malaria in the outdoor community.

Shred Ready talks about their helmets and plans for the upcoming year with In Between Swims at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show.

In Between Swims catches up with the latest from Jackson Kayaks at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show.

For In Between Swims coverage of the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show, I sit down for an extended interview with Imagine's Corran Addison to talk about his new boards, his recent move to California, and the future of stand up paddling.

In Between Swims checks in with Level Six on their wide variety of new offerings for the new season at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show.

For In Between Swims coverage of the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show, I check in with the guys at WRSI about their new helmets,

Not all the business at Outdoor Retailer is between retailers and manufacturers.  Athletes also attend, looking to solidify sponsorships, network with media and retailers, and plan their upcoming year. For In Between Swims coverage of the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show, I speak with athlete Jesse Coombs about what brings him to OR.

On their 40th anniversary, the latest from Kokatat at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show on In Between Swims.

The annual Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Salt Lake City features boats, gears, product, retailers, maufacturers, athletes, media - it's all there. What's the latest trend?  What is your favorite company doing for the upcoming year?  And where is paddlesports in it's growth or decline? We start off the In Between Swims coverage of the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show with an interview with Celliers Kruger from Fluid Kayaks. More to come.....

Summer's here!  In this episode, Bryan Smith talks about exploring an almost roadless corner of Russia to help wildlife conservation efforts in "The Kamchatka Project."  I have a conversation with Christie Glissmeyer and Kate Wagner of Femme45 - and the new Executive Director of USA Canoe and Kayak, Joe Jacobi, checks in from Oklahoma City to to talk about what's what's happening in OK, the new slalom identification program, and his new job. Thanks for listening!

Beth Silverman came to First Descents from New York City, not knowing the difference between a river, a lake or a pond. A week later - after wet exits, tough swims, and big rapids - she emerged as more than a cancer survivor - she was a whitewater kayaker. This is the story of Stiletto and an organization called First Descents.