Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Esther Wheeler one of the premier ultramarathon female paddlers who just came out on top again this year in the Yukon River Quest in a kayak. We cover so much in this episode from the way she entered the paddling scene through a traumatic experience on whitewater, visualization techniques, the spell of the Yukon, the Great River Club, being a board member of the YRQ, her take on the 2025 dragon boat Guinness world record for distance traveled at the MR340, the importance of giving people chances, sleep deprivation strategies, testing out the Inside Passage in preparation for the Race to Alaska, and immigration fails after the Yukon 1000. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Esther herself on this 25th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Esther’s IG: @wheelerest Esther’s Book Recommendations: -Dare to Do, by Sarah Ouden: https://a.co/d/dK8Vs6s -Kayaking the Aleutians, Justine Curgenven & Sarah Ouden (DVD): https://a.co/d/gHeHl8f -The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown: https://a.co/d/49nyEAk

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Alain Morvan out of France who is the race director for the Loire 725, which is the longest ultramarathon paddling race in Europe. Alain started out as a whitewater paddler in his younger days and eventually made his way to ultramarathon paddling with the goal of competing in the Yukon River Quest. We cover so much in this episode from the origins and evolution of the race, his dedication to protecting the environment of the Loire river, support of the communities along the route, how a stage race helps build and support the paddling community, the race route itself and the rules of the race, typical lodging arrangements for racers including camping at a rugby stadium, support crews, and how foreigners would rent a boat for the race. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Alain Morvan himself on this 23rd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Loire 725 website: Next race is June 14-20, 2026 -(English): https://loire725.com/en/presentation-english/ -(French): https://loire725.com/ Alain's contact: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069158600419 https://www.facebook.com/alain.morvan.18/ Alain’s book recommendation: La Loire vue de fleuve (Loire River rules/etiquette), by Jean-Francois Souchard https://imagesdeloire.fr/produit/la-loire-vue-du-fleuve-guide-de-randonnee-nautique/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Glenn Nolan and Maureen Hatherley out of Ontario, Canada. Glenn and Maureen are absolute gems and certainly fan and racer favorites for those that follow the Yukon 1000. They both just completed the Yukon River Quest and the Yukon 1000 in back-to-back fashion, so we take a deep dive into their grueling experience in the Yukon this year. We cover so much in this episode from their experiences in Outward Bound which was actually how they met, tackling the Yukon 1000 after 3 straight finishes in the Yukon River Quest, the pull of the Yukon and especially the paddling community that keeps them coming back, cross training to prepare for the Yukon in frozen conditions, the adversity of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, the skill of reading water, forest fires, and what it’s like to complete the Yukon 1000 immediately after the Yukon River Quest. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Glenn and Maureen themselves, in this 21st episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast. Socials: Maureen Instagram: @hatherleymaureen Facebook: Maureen Hatherley Glenn instagram: @glennnolan698 Facebook: Glenn Nolan Outward Bound Canada: www.outwardbound.ca

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Jake VanLue out of Southwestern Missouri who recently took 1st place in the male solo kayak class in the Suwannee 230. We cover so much in this episode from inspiration and the drive to succeed he gets from his father, hypothermia interventions after going upside down on the Yukon on Lake Laberge, coaching support for ultras, the mental aspect of training and racing, the story of his male solo kayak class 1st place finish in the 2025 Suwannee 230, lessons learned from failure, rhabdomyolysis, crew support, lessons learned from a couple DNFs, and balancing training and family life. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Jake himself on this 19th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Jake's IG: @jakevanlue Hammer Nutrition: https://www.hammernutrition.com/JAKE86984

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Dave Maitland & Scott Worthington, two awesome Kiwis that live their lives seeking adventure and time in the outdoors. I invited them on the show to chat about their 2000 mile source to sea attempt on the Yukon River in 2024. We cover so much in this episode from their views on the current state of affairs in ultra racing, their journey that brought them the Yukon, Scott’s inspiring story and Yukon 1000 documentary with Ben Lott, their story of adventure in the Yukon and what lies beyond the Dalton Highway Bridge, gear differences in a 2000 vs. 1000 mile attempt, and the importance of implicitly trusting a teammate especially when things go sideways in the backcountry. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Dave and Scott themselves on this 17th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… **Dave & Scott would like to send a shoutout to Ben Schmidt of the Alaskan Canoe Company (https://alaskacanoecompany.com/) who crafted their canoe for their 2000 mile attempt** Dave’s book recommendation: -Endurance - Alfred Lansing: https://a.co/d/8B0PCQE Scott’s book recommendations: -On the Edge of Nowhere - James Huntington: https://a.co/d/iUqRxtT -Shadows on the Koyukuk - Sidney Huntington: https://a.co/d/2mXUO0B Finding Ben - Yukon 1000 documentary w/ Scott Worthington & Ben Lott -Part 1: https://www.yukon1000.org/findingbenpart1/ -Part 2: https://www.yukon1000.org/findingbenpart2/ **Dave's NZ race recommendations & offer for guidance** -GODZONE - This is a multi day Adventure race and can range from 4 to five days, only sleep requirement is relating to if there are dangerous river sections for kayaking / rafting or pack rafting. Apart from that you are on your own, map reading is essential. Its great fun but very demanding on the body. It is held in a different location within NZ each year. *Link: https://godzoneadventure.com/one-new-zealand-godzone-chapter-12-heading-to-marlborough/ -Kathmandu Coast to Coast: This is a race from the beach on the west side of the south Island to the beach on the East coast, traversing the Southislands Southern Alps via a 32km mountain run. Other disciplines include running, road bike and Kayaking. Comperators can enter the following. One day individual One day three person team Two day individual And various categories of teams in the two day event. Some may consider it not an endurance event but when you are completing the 240km in between the high 10hr and up to 18hr I assure you it is. If there is anyone interested who thinks they have what it takes I am happy to advise them after having completed it 30 times I have a fair understanding as to what it takes. Would be great to see some from the North make the journey down to our part of the world and have a crack at either of these two events. Only willing to help out with the right type of people. *Link: https://www.kathmandu.co.nz/pages/coast-to-coast

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with David Thomas of Stellar Kayaks USA who is both co-owner and a design team member. Of note, this is not a sponsored episode, as I simply reached out to David to come on the show because I’m a fan of their boats and especially wanted to hear about his journey and the inspiration that comes behind their paddles and kayaks. We cover so much in this episode from Stellar’s commitment to environmental responsibility, wing paddle dynamics, innovation in kayaks and surf skis, listener supported questions, seemingly unlimited variables that go into boat designs for all paddlers, the need for race directors out there, races he directs and hosts, modular kayak offerings, paddling community support, and his thoughts about growth of the ultramarathon paddling sport. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from David himself in this 15th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Website: https://stellarkayaksusa.com/ Social (IG): https://www.instagram.com/stellarkayaks?igsh=MXNzcTJhbHkxNTBsbQ==

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Brandon Grundy and Bobby Johnson, both out of Florida, who just broke the Everglades Challenge record in the tandem kayak class without a sail. This chat is a true masterclass in how to not only succeed in bot how to set a standard for excellence in ultramarathon paddling races. We cover so much in this episode all surrounding the Everglades Challenge including the chronicles of their record setting race, route/weather/tidal/current strategies, the pros and cons of single versus double blades in a kayak or surfski, tactics to protect the body but more importantly the mind, manatee minefields and how dangerous these underwater allies can be at night, getting lost and the importance of trusting your GPS, and hallucinations. There's so much more to this episode, but I'll let you hear it from Brandon and Bobby themselves in this 13th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast... Everglades Challenge website: https://www.watertribe.com/events/evergladeschallenge/Default.aspx

Welcome to part 2 of 2 in my collaboration series with Dr. Alison Kole of the "Sleep is My Waking Passion Podcast." In this episode Alison and I continue our discussion on how to train for and mitigate the effects of sleep deprivation. We cover topics like caffeine naps, breathing techniques, devices to help with sleep and relaxation, supplements, and optimal sleep duration while maximizing time on the water. There's so much more to this episode, but I'll let you hear it from dr. Kole herself on the 11th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast... Welcome to Season 6 of Sleep Is My Waking Passion! In this episode, I sit down with Chris Thomas, pharmacist by day and ultra-marathon paddler by passion. Chris shares his incredible experiences tackling extreme endurance paddle races like the Yukon 1000 and Alabama 650, where sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and mental resilience are all part of the challenge. Together, we explore: Part 1: The unique demands of ultra-marathon paddle racing, from navigating 1,000-mile waterways to managing sleep in remote environments. The science behind sleep deprivation, its effects on cognition and performance, and strategies for recovery and in part 2: Tools and techniques like caffeine naps, sleep banking, breathing exercises, and even cutting-edge devices like Modia Sleep to optimize rest during intense races. Chris opens up about his own sleep challenges during races, including moments of déjà vu and pushing through exhaustion with creative solutions. We also discuss how nutrition, teamwork, and preparation play a pivotal role in maximizing performance while staying safe. Whether you're an athlete seeking tips for endurance sports or simply curious about the limits of human resilience, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the intersection of sleep science and extreme athleticism. 🔗 Join me for an inspiring conversation with Chris as we paddle through the uncharted waters of sleep deprivation and recovery! Keywords: Ultra-marathon paddling, sleep deprivation strategies, endurance sports, caffeine naps, recovery tools. Dr. Alison Kole's podcast aims to help all of us learn to navigate self-advocacy and prioritize healthy sleep. Dr. Alison Kole's Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@asktheSleepMD Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sleep-is-my-waking-passion/id1684976379 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kSqlAoEC7tFmFj0Pms0hw?si=7f9eb2af07ac4549 Connect with Dr. Kole: Website: www.askthesleepmd.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/askthesleepmd Facebook: www.facebook.com/askthesleepmd LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alison-kole-md-mph-fccp-faasm-b6a26715

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Craig Sawyer, a veteran ultramarathon paddler and true renaissance man. As the filmmaker of the Yukon 1000 documentary and 2023 Yukon 1000 winner in the stand up paddle board class our main focus in this episode is around lessons learned from the longest paddle race in the world and how he’s adjusting his approach to training for his upcoming solo attempt in the 2025 Yukon River Quest. We cover so much in this episode including the importance of being a good team in the 1000, post-race blues, data points to guide training, gear and boat adjustments relative to the 1000 and the YRQ, mental prep and visualization, a hilarious post-shower interaction with a trucker by the Dalton Highway Bridge, preparation and dealing with sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and an alcohol-free lifestyle. There’s so much more to this chat with Craig, but I’ll let you hear it from Craig Sawyer himself in this 9th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Craig’s book/documentary recommendations: Survival of the fittest - Dr. Mike Stroud The world’s fittest book - Ross Edglley Ross Edgley's documentary on the world’s longest non-stop swim on the Yukon River How to find Craig: -Instagram: @craigsawyer77 @thesupcoach -Professional website: https://www.abovesixsix.co.uk/ -Amazon Prime link to Craig’s documentary of the 2023 Yukon 1000 race Push Past Impossible https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DS5PY3JH/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with veteran ultramarathon crew member Alicia Reaves as well as her daughter Ruthie Reaves, high school soccer player and newcomer to ultramarathon crewing. As the crew team that helped their husband and father, Trey Reaves, to first ever back-to-back overall victory in solo fashion in the Alabama 650, we go through what it means to be a first class crew for this event. We cover so much in this episode from nutrition support, wound care, old school navigation, the Alabama heat, sleep deprivation, strategizing around the challenge of an incoming hurricane, random photo shoots along the way, and how a race like this really brings people together. There’s so much more to this chat with Alicia and Ruthie, but I’ll let you hear it from the crew themselves in this 7th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Book recommendations: -Ruthie: Where the Crawdads Sing -Alicia: Where the Red Fern Grows If you have any questions you'd like me to address on air, ask future guests, or even suggestions for future guests, please send those to me at dabblinginpaddleism@gmail.com or via instagram @dabbling_in_paddleism (https://www.instagram.com/dabbling_in_paddleism?igsh=dDE4aXc3bmd3aXZp&utm_source=qr).

Chris Thomas sits down with veteran ultramarathon paddle racer, Trey Reaves, out of Florence, Alabama who just became the first ever overall back-to-back winner of the Alabama 650 as a solo racer. Trey’s performance in the ultra paddling racing world has been a real tour de force over the last several years with no signs of slowing down. We start off with his entry into the ultra racing world and even though he DNF’d in his first Alabama 650 he describes how the paddling community came out of the woodwork to encourage and inspire him to keep coming back for more. We cover so much in this episode from the advice to new paddlers entering the sport, the mental aspect of training and racing, early career learnings that have led to his success, his views on the future growth of the sport, and future paddling goals. There’s so much to this episode with one of the top ultra paddle racers in the world, but I’ll let you hear it all from Trey himself in this 5th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… -Trey's IG: @treyreaves -Trey's Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/15jaXyUWhh/?mibextid=wwXlfr -Stellar Kayaks: https://stellarkayaksusa.com/

You’re entering a world of pain… In this episode, I chat with a mastermind in human suffering and adventure, Greg Wingo out of Alabama. As the race director of The Great Alabama 650 and Last Paddler Standing, Greg is no amateur when it comes to putting on races and adventures that and I quote… “gets as many people into enjoyable uncomfortable situations as possible.” We touch on so much in this episode, ranging from the Alabama 650, it’s growing popularity of the race amongst endurance racers, fans, and the local Alabama community. We discuss the positive impact the 650 has had on the Alabama Scenic River Trail and it’s growing reputation now competing with the likes of the Boundary Waters, for example. Other discussions include the new media side of Roam projects, the potential for and current barriers for a future AL650 documentary, Greg’s thoughts on how to grow the ultramarathon paddling sport, the off the beaten path hiking tours he puts on, a charitable running shoe donation program he created, Camp 650, Last Paddler Standing, as well as hints of 2 exciting new races and tour announcements likely coming soon including a brand new original racing concept, and cap it off with Greg’s adventure book recommendations. There’s so much more to this chat with him, but I’ll let you hear it from Greg Wingo himself in this 3rd episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… https://roamprojects.com/home.html https://lastpaddlerstanding.com/ https://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/great-alabama-650/

Today I’m speaking with David Miller, an up-and-coming ultramarathon endurance paddler from North Carolina. We’ll talk about many of his already impressive accomplishments ranging from winning the Suwannee River 230 in 2023, claiming a world record in a dragon boat as a team effort during the 2023 MR340, and most recently his second place finish in the 2024 Alabama 650. One of the things I enjoyed hearing from him the most was how he came off of an impressively successful paddling year in 2023 to overcoming obstacles and challenges he faced during the 2024 paddling season as well as the Alabama 650 to ultimately finish second overall in that event. Additionally, we cover how he started out paddling. This dude literally built his own kayak as his first entry into the sport, which is pretty impressive and I hope leads to another discussion with David just to talk about building boats. We also cover some of the lessons he learned from other races, such as the Everglades Challenge in addition to learnings from his amazing support crew for the AL650, his sister Kim and friend Moogie, which led to his impressive performance in the 650 mile race. And finally we’ll cover one of his bucket list adventure paddling goals on the Finger Lakes in New York that I think will also be related to an exciting announcement coming from me on a later podcast edition.