Talk SUP

At just 17 years old, Maddi Leblanc launched a fundraising SUP event in memory of two friends who died of cancer. Now 20, Leblanc joins Talk SUP to talk about her On Board fundraising event and the women who inspire her in paddleboarding.

A conversation with Henry Heiduk, who runs the Ontario SUP race series. We look back on how the series got started, its remarkable growth, and what makes SUP racing so cool.

On the last weekend of July, the first organized race across Lake Ontario is scheduled to be held. At 32 miles, or just over 51km, it meets the standard distance of a SUP marathon. Joining Talk SUP is race organizer Rob Kavcic, who holds the fastest known time crossing Lake Ontario on a paddleboard.

Island Surf Co. owner Colin Kearns talks about how to shop for your first, second or fifth paddleboard. Island Surf Co. was - far as anyone can tell - the first in Canada to sell paddleboards.

As a Canadian, getting to race your paddleboard in the middle of January used to mean loading up the car for a long road trip south. But Steve Martin changed that last month when he organized the first-ever indoor SUP race in Canada. Joining Talk SUP are Martin, as well as Rachelle Price and Kodie Peekstock, the two overall champions.

For many, paddling seven kilometres is a pretty sizeable challenge. But for solo standup paddleboard racers in the Yukon River Quest, the finish line is a staggering 715km away from the start. Jeff Brady joins us to talk about a legendary Canadian paddling race.