Stand Up Paddle the World » Podcasts

Carl Delica started stand up paddle racing after a serious accident which left him unable to walk for two months. He saw SUP as an accessible sport even though he had trouble bending his knee. Carl was also hooked with the calmness of the water and how hard competitive sup is. “I'm thankful for SUP as it came into my life when I couldn't do much else.”

Skyler Palmer is an accomplished sailor, technical rescue fireman with Tacoma Fire Department, and race director for the Ballard Elks Paddle Club in Seattle. Skyler talks about safety on the water, and life in general, and the delicate balance of risk and adventure in the sport of stand up paddle racing and the importance of being prepared.

Brown was born in American Samoa, and is very proud of his Polynesian roots. “The sense of pride and humility overwhelms me every time my paddle enters the water. I'm always in awe with the thought of my ancestors exploring Oceania not knowing when they'll reach the next land mass.” A professional Rugby player; his sport, culture, and family instilled a deep sense of community and respect that make Brown one of... Read More

Tenar Hall is a collector of safety–what she knows, and practices on the water has been picked up over the years, and implemented on each trip on the open water. When Tenar was separated from her Surf Ski off the cost of Orcas Island, not only did what she pick up over the years save her life, but indeed the collective group of people responsible were there with her in the frigid... Read More

Jeremiah Bonsmith is a true brother and friend of the +206, and one of the original racers from the club’s beginning almost a decade ago. Jeremiah has been there for many over the years, and reciprocated through his own vulnerability. Jeremiah is an Engineer at Boeing, an epic Father and Husband, and friend to many on an off the water. Jeremiah talks about SUP Racing, Fatherhood, and the Pandemic which has changed... Read More

Lindsey Virdeh was forever changed by the Pandemic and found love and acceptance in the sport of stand up paddle boarding. She is a Mother, Wife, and Instructor in Clean Energy Technology at Shoreline Community College in Washington State. Paddling provided Lindsey both the calming solitude she needed during the pandemic and allowed her to spend time with her friends during the quarantine. She also learned to love herself for exactly who... Read More

Harry Oesterreicher is a man who gives back–giving his kidney to a dear friend, founding member of the Aristides de Sousa Mendes Foundation, and volunteer at Washington Water Trails, and the Ballard Elks Paddle Club.  Harry discusses how important friendship is across a variety of groups and clubs, Stand Up Paddle Racing, and what it’s like to give a kidney to a dear friend.

Levi Goltz came into stand up paddle racing from a lifetime of sports as a gymnast, ultra marathon runner, and Soccer player. Levi talks about his entry into SUP racing, early family life, and a behind the scenes look at the world of computer programming.

Nick Papa has a heart of gold and everything about him spells success on and off the race course. He is a gentleman and well-spoken, but his brute force and focus brought him to the front of the Seattle SUP racing scene.  Nick talks about the other racers in the Seattle area that mentored him early on and what he has learned in a short time.  In addition Nick talks about his... Read More

Fiona Wylde is a product of Hood River and the Columbia Gorge–friends and family, the Jet Team, and the rugged and unforgiving Columbia River all have shaped and tempered her into the competitive and kind person she is today.  Fiona talks about those early years and the people, places, and events that forged who she is and how she is paying it forward to others in the sport. Fiona is one of... Read More

Reading Kaliko Kahoonei’s blog, you find an individual who cares deeply about the sport of SUP and is worried about its future.  We talk with him about a recent post “The SUP Industry Exposed” and the quick deterioration of SUP racing, especially the Pacific Paddle Games in California which Kaliko has attended the last four years.  Kaliko also discusses the business of SUP in general and gives vivid details of a regional... Read More

Christian Oliver has always been drawn to the water.  Growing up in the South, his family would take vacations to Florida, where he fell in love with the ocean. Christian’s dad built cedar strip wood canoes out of the garage and has great memories canoeing with the family in Tennessee.  Christian majored in Industrial Design in college and channeled his love for the water in designing boats and now works for a... Read More

Spencer Lazzar was early on the scene of stand up paddle racing–Inspired by a video of Laird Hamilton on a SUP, he though, might I be able to surf my local lake on one of these boards?  The search was on for a stand up board in these very early days of SUP.  Spencer and a friend traveled several hours away to the foreign city of Hood River, one of the few places... Read More

Flying around Washington State in old Russian helicopters purchased by the Government for one dollar, Jim Jarvie served as a forest firefighter helping mop-up fires that ravaged the area. Jim’s passion for freighter wake surfing and saltwater came from a dear Mother who loved the Ocean and immersed her children in it! A “Rosie the Riveter” in WWII, Jim’s Mother served our country with pride along with Jim’s Dad who fought in the... Read More

Jen’s interest in science and psychology of health began after an accident left her father paraplegic.  This situation piqued her curiosity about causes and cures for chronic pain and illness. Being an athlete, she was interested in what it took to function at a high level of performance and ultimately created a stand up paddle race training program based on Physiology and Biomechanics, Muscular and  Egoscue Exercise Therapy.  Jen’s lifetime study of Biomechanics... Read More

Marc, Zach, and Darrell are epic men from the South preaching the word of Mental Toughness in all that they do. “We never quit” Join us at the Columbia Gorge Downwind Challenge in Hood River, Oregon were we met with this extraordinary team who drove over 2000 miles to compete in the downwind and course races. Father and Son, business partners, and good friends—Marc and Zach Rounsaville talk mental toughness that Zach... Read More

An epic stand up paddle racer with no forearms, a Fireman, a beloved young man, a stoked racer from Tahiti, and a trio of stoked men from the South who drove over two thousand miles to race in the Gorge.  These are the people of stand up paddle racing.  Join us live during the 2017 Columbia Gorge Downwind Challenge to hear their stories.  This episode promises to deliver unlimited stoke from the... Read More

Chris Hawkins piloted a 27 foot sailboat as a kid and went on to crew on a 40 foot Newport in his early twenties. A 6th generation Bitterroot Valley, Montana Native and avid outdoorsman, Chris was still lost at sea until he found Stand Up Paddle Racing. A man of two worlds—Spokane, Washington and Bitterroot Valley, Montana, Chris talks about his family life and parents who embraced and shared the outdoors, the... Read More

Billy Kaczynski is a product of the crucible of life and made it out the other side an epic musician and super stoked guy.  Billy talks about growing up in Hawaii, bodyboarding, music, and leaving Hawaii for California at the age of 15 with the help of a friend.  Life is a crucible, and Billy tells his compelling story of hope, stoke for life, and his love for Puerto Rico and the... Read More

Chris Grieve did not like competition, that is until he found stand up paddle racing.  We talk about his journey in SUP and what he is doing to be even more competitive.  

Special Edition: Lincoln City Open Ocean Race!  John Forse is Force of Nature and keeps on going full-on epic, even after being attacked by a Great White Shark!  John talks about the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Surfing Championship he started as well as his new and exciting “Lincoln City Open Ocean Race” which will take place soon in Lincoln City, Oregon which promises to be an international SUP racing event in the... Read More

You can spot Adam Tischler from a block away–stoke-posture, stoke-smile, and overall general well being stoke! Join us on the Ballard Elk’s ocean view deck in Seattle for a conversation on life and SUP stoke, and learn a bit about Adam too! Where do these people come from? The epic sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding is a conduit to greatness in people and Adam is one of many across the country... Read More

You can spot Adam Tischler from a block away–stoke-posture, stoke-smile, and overall general well being stoke! Join us on the Ballard Elk’s ocean view deck in Seattle for a conversation on life and SUP stoke, and learn a bit about Adam too! Where do these people come from? The epic sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding is a conduit to greatness in people and Adam is one of many across the country... Read More

Dan Gavere has a long history in whitewater and quickly found that SUP was the perfect craft to “Snowboard” down crisp, wet river runs.  Dan talks about his journey in whitewater on both kayak and SUP, and also gives us some incredible insight in the future of SUP, Foiling, and growth in the sport.  This is too, too short an interview with Dan and promise to have him on again in the... Read More

Dr. Udo Wahn developed an interest in the environment in the late 60’s around the time of the horrific Santa Barbara oil spill that spurred the birth of environmental activism in the US.  He was lucky to have a High School Biology Teacher who appreciated his interest in science and would give him special projects.  One was sampling water for bacterial contamination in the Great South Bay off the coast of Long Island.... Read More

Amy Waeschle is an epic Mom, Surfer, and the Author of “Going Over the Falls” Amy talks about her Family, Surfing, and the writing of her novel. She also shares her writing process and offers tips to others who would like to write a book. Book Synopsis: Surfer and Seattle E.R. doctor Lorna Jacobs is pulled into a dangerous journey to find her estranged mother, who is dying from a mysterious illness.... Read More

Karl Kruger is the first person ever to complete the grueling “Race to Alaska” from Port Townsend Washington, to Ketchikan Alaska–by Stand Up Paddle Board! Meet the incredible athlete and gentleman behind this epic feat which is a huge victory for him and the rest of the stand paddle board community.

Terence Quong is a beloved athlete and friend in the Sand Point Outrigger Club in Seattle and the one everyone wants to pass.  Endurance is one of “Q’s” strongest suits and helped him in an epic nine channel Hawaiian Island Crossing, as well as an incredible military and civilian career in aviation.  Q talks about early life, family, Outrigger Canoe, and the O’hana that make it all happen.  Terence shares the story... Read More

Wade Lawson lives an epic life as a Big Wave Surfer, Helicopter Pilot, and a man of curiosity and action. Wade tells of his rags to riches story growing up the son of an Arkansas chicken farmer and the dreams he had of becoming a pilot, and living an incredible life. Wade says you can have this life too and gives a premiere on Big Wave Surfing and flying. Disclaimer—Big Wave Surfing... Read More

Randall Barna is an epic Pedorthist and SUP and Surfing pioneer who knows a lot about feet and sports performance.  During the 1992 NBA Championships, 80% of the starting lineup for the Portland Trailblazers wore Barna’s orthotics and many professionals go to him to this day to improve their performance.   Randall talks about his early days as an Oregon surfing pioneer and the natural progression of surfing to Stand Up Paddle... Read More

  Tanvi Jagadish is India’s first Stand Up Paddle Racer and a darling of her country as a pioneer of female surfing and SUP racing.  She was always told that girls don’t surf, but with the help of family and her local “Surfing Ashram”, Tanvi found Nirvana in the sport and in Mother Ocean.  Tanvi talks about early family life in India, and her daily rituals in preparing for SUP races and... Read More

John Schalka is a very fast stand up paddle board racer and shows us what is possible in this life at any age.  At the start of John’s SUP racing career, he weighed over three hundred pounds and suffered a pulmonary embolism that almost killed him.  Loosing over one hundred pounds, saying goodbye to alcohol, and drawing from a lifetime of outdoor sports, John reinvented himself into a SUP racing machine that is the envy... Read More

Matt and Grant Hassenrik are an epic father-son duo both on and off the water in the sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding and stoked to share their story of how it all began.  Thirteen-year-old Grant loves his dad, and extended family of Stand Up Paddle Boarders in the Holland, Michigan O’hana located along the “Third Coast” of Lake Michigan.  It’s not always smooth sailing for the two, and Matt and Grant... Read More

Sarah Sandstrom is an epic lady on and off the water and a seasoned SUP racer.  She’s back from the Carolina Cup and stoked to tell about her race and what it takes to prepare for a SUP event far from home.  Sarah is a Fisheries Biologist and her work spans a range of wetland, stream, and estuarine projects. When she’s not in the field, monitoring stream conditions or delineating wetlands, Sarah is working... Read More

Audrey Frey is an epic Lawyer defending our freedoms behind the scenes in the capital of Washington State.  And when she’s not serving the citizens of the “Evergreen State”, she is Dragon Boat, Outrigger Canoe, or Stand Up Paddle Racing!  In 2015, Audrey represented Team USA on the U24 Mixed and Women’s Crews at the International Dragon Boat Federation’s (IDBF) 12th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.  Audrey gives us a premiere on... Read More

Danny Ching is one of the fastest in the world  in stand up paddle racing, and an epic gentleman and ambassador of the sport.  Danny’s Father, Al Ching brought the epic sport of Outrigger Canoe to California in the 1970s, and in this environment, Danny found his love of the water and racing.  In 2014, Danny set a world record for speed on a stand up paddle board at the “Lost Mills time trial... Read More

Patrick Hwang and Matt Sun are  back from Hawaii and ready to share some serious OC stoke.  Hang-on as these gents talk about the Maui to Molokai race and their five-day race prep clinic with Kai Bartlett. 

Russel Peart served his country proudly, but returned with Gulf War Syndrome, sustaining high levels of lead, mercury, and other heavy metals that wreaked havoc on his body.  Russel’s Doctor even questioned how he could be alive.  A strong family and beloved Father with alcoholism and disabilities stopped the cycle with Russel and built a man who thrives despite having a spine that one doctor described as that of a ninety year old!... Read More

Charles Webb is back and gives us an update on the world of Adaptive Surfing  as well as several competitions taking place in the sport in 2017.  If you would like to give Adaptive Surfing a try, or learn more about this sport–Charles Webb is your ticket and continues to blow-up the sport with his enthusiasm.  This episode is your one-stop to learn all about this extreme sport.

Go behind the scenes at “The 24” in Seattle, a 24 hour paddle raising money for families fighting Cancer.  Meet the team and one of the special families “The 24” has touched.

John Puakea is a legend in the Outrigger Canoe community and has brought his years of experience to the Stand Up Paddle world.   As an exceptional technical coach, John has helped push world-class paddlers to the next level in international competition. His ability to improve the performance of already-elite paddlers also led Team Bradley to consecutive first-place finishes in the Molokai-to-Oahu Na Wahine O Ke Kai, and to the fastest crossing time by... Read More

In Part III of the “Four Pillars of Health” Bruce Barry discusses the importance of Yoga for good health and Stand Up Paddle performance in both SUP racing and Surfing.  Don’t miss it and be sure to listen to parts I and II of the “Four Pillars of Health” recorded earlier last year.

Melissa Still is a Kiteboarder and the owner of Bigfoot Coffee Roasters in Stevenson, Washington. Melissa talks about what it takes to start a business that supports local tourism and what we as visitors can do to support the businesses and communities that help fuel our many paddling adventures and events. 

Bob Pratt is serious about drowning, very serious.  As an EMT and Lifeguard, he knows that drowning is preventable, especially in the sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding.  In fact, Bob believes the stand up paddle industry has a golden opportunity to introduce life preserver and leash safety early on in this exploding sport.  Bob Pratt and The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project are both very serious about water safety and drowning... Read More

Norm Hann is an early pioneer of SUP as an adventure platform and used it as a powerful tool to help save the “Great Bear Rain Forest” of British Columbia, Canada.  Norm talks about his early years in the Great Bear Rain Forest, the Documentary “Stand” and what it takes to make a difference in  your own local waters.

“The Third Coast” is a formidable SUP destination that deserves serious consideration and respect: Thirty-foot waves, deadly rip tides, and huge Salmon! We have a witness in Matt Hassenrik who will demystify, or mystify his epic Midwest SUP playground complete with surfing in the snow, ice, and extreme temperatures.  Matt also talks about the epic SUP community near Holland, Michigan and racing with his son.

Andre, AKA Dre is an epic young man living a great life on the North Shore and around the USA.  We talk with him about SUP/Surf etiquette, his life as an all-around athlete, and all things Hawaii like Ohana, Poke, and self-sustainability in self and everything you do.  Dre gives us some tips on getting around in Hawaii, and explains why the Hawaiian vibe is so pronounced in SUP and Surf cultures around... Read More

Dean Burke dreamed of the Pacific Northwest and its majestic mountains from a very young age.   He vowed he would make it his profession one day to live, work, and play in this incredible area of the world.  As Executive Director of the Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission,  Dean is living the dream and energizing the city of Tacoma, Washington and the greater Puget Sound Area and its residents.  Hear about... Read More

Melanie Seiler Hames is the Executive Director at Active Southern West Virginia and a treasure to the people of the New River Gorge and surrounding area.  Melanie brings Stand Up Paddle Boarding, and more importantly, good health to the people of West Virginia by having them take an active part in sports and recreation that is right in their back yard.  Ms. Seiler, is also a very important leader who is improving... Read More

Ian Smith is the founder of “First Waves” which spreads the stoke with experiences in conservation, river surfing, standup paddleboarding, and filmmaking for under-served youth. Ian talks about “First Waves”, Whitewater SUP, and the “Iron City”–Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!