For today's episode I wanted to do something a little different. I just returned from Vail, Colorado where the GoPro Mountain Games came back after a year's hiatus. It was so fun to be back racing with the Colorado SUP community. The 4.5 mile downriver race was well attended and I ran around and tried to capture the vibe with these audio clips. I hope you enjoy the format. Check out the race results hereAnd here

This episode starts with Mike telling some stories from his recent trip to Maui. Then we have an interview with legend in the making Spencer Lacy @spencerlacy who just returned from a 230 mile trip down the Klamath River in Oregon and California where a series of 4 dams is slated for removal by 2023.Learn more about the Maliko downwind run in Maui here: https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/glide-guide-mailiko-run/Follow Finn and Jeffery Spencer on Insta: @jeffrey_spencer @finn_spencerCheck out Spencer Lacy's photo journal here: https://blog.badfishsup.com/undam-the-klam-by-spencer-lacy/

In this episode I interview Norm Hann, owner of Norm Hann Expeditions. Norm guides clients in some of the most spectacular waters of North America on the Coast of British Columbia. Through his paddling Norm has become an activist fighting to protect the Great Bear Forest. In this episode Norm talks about how he became a guide in the Great Bear and ultimately fell in love with the landscape and the people. Learn more about Norm's trips: https://normhann.com/Rent the Stand Film on Vimeo

In this retailer spotlight I speak with Brian "Vince" Vincent, General Manager of Appomattox River Company in Farmville, Virginia. Vince talks about the long history of the shop, the local paddling scene in Virginia and even local politics! https://paddleva.com/@paddleva on Instagram 

Its a new year and a great time to set some goals for the upcoming paddling season. Mike chats with Brittany and Natali of RVR2RVR and the Eddy Out Podcast about their paddling goals for the season and some thoughts about the value of setting goals. https://www.rvr2rvr.com/ https://www.rvr2rvr.com/eddy-out-podcast 

For today's interview I caught up with Jeramie Vaine. Jeramie occupies a unique niche in stand up paddling. He lives in Jupiter, Fla. and is a Yoga instuctor, avid racer and fisherman. If you want to learn more about Jeramie check out his website: https://www.jeramievaine.com/ or his instagram @jvaine1 Email us your winter paddling stories to [email protected]. 

In this episode I interviewed the former Editor in Chief at SUPtheMag Will Taylor. Will is currently the Gear Director at Outside Magazine and a surfer and paddler from Gold Beach, Oregon. Will talks about his perspective on stand up paddling from the boom years through to the demise of SUPtheMag. Will shares a great story of one of his favorite paddling adventures and offers some thoughts on the future of print magazines. 

For this episode I did an extended retailer spotlight with Jaime Caluya of SUP California. Hear about her journey from her home of Australia to the US and how she decided to leave behind a career as a Pharmacist to become a paddling shop owner. Also she teaches me some Aussie slang. 

In this episode we interview 2004 Whitewater Kayak Slalom Olympic silver medalist Rebecca Giddens. She talks about her journey to becoming an Olympic medalist and World Champion as well as her second racing career in SUP and founding the Kern River Brewing Company in Kernville, CA. Rebecca's silver medal run in 2004. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udAzbpZuMvc 

For this episode I interviewed one of the most influential paddlers of the past 30 years in both whitewater kayaking and stand up paddling. Dan Gavere is a professional athlete, event organizer, announcer and sales rep who is based out of Hood River, Oregon and Ottawa, Ontario. Dan has paddled all over the world and in this episode I asked him to count down his top 5 favorite paddling destinations anywhere in the world. Dan's Top 5:1. Soca River, Slovenia 2. Cocoa Beach, Florida3. Missoula, Montana4. Santa Cruz, CA5. Ottawa, OntarioHonorable Mention: Colorado, USA and Hood River, OR