The Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast is an exploration of all things endurance, adventure, and ultramarathon paddling experienced through storytelling and the celebration of athletes. We'll cover everything from mental & physical training, recovery, strategy, gear, nutrition, hydration, photo-/videography, all the way through to coming out on the other end of any paddling adventure a better version of ourselves. We aim to inspire, build community, and celebrate athletes ranging from DNFs (we’ve all been there) to record breaking performances, epic expeditions, and podium finishes.
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E29: Dave Maitland & Scott Worthington - 700 Miles to the Bering Sea
Season 1 · Episode 29
Sunday, December 7, 2025 • Duration 01:23:41
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down again with Dave Maitland and Scott Worthington to chat about the second half of their 2000 mile journey source to sea on the Yukon River as they recount their expedition from Galena, Alaska to the Bering Sea. Another great chat with two gems from New Zealand in which they describe unfinished business after a premature med-evac in 2024. We cover so much in this episode from experiencing the Yukon in both seasons, the Yukon 800 high-speed riverboat race, the slog and suffer fest that the Yukon unleashes on those that venture past Galena, the importance of keeping your world small in challenging conditions, tidal flows and what to expect in the delta region near Emmonak, local Alaskan hospitality, and an upcoming trip with wounded veterans on the Mackenzie River. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Dave and Scott themselves on this 29th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…
Scott’s book recommendations:
-Honest Dogs: A Story of Triumph and Regret from the World’s Toughest Sled Dog Race, by Brian Patrick O’Donaghue https://a.co/d/5X4V2j9
-Future Shock, by Alvin Toffler https://a.co/d/fLTtMOp
-Yukon 800 motorboat race: https://www.yukon800.com/
E28: Team Outlaws - Lauren Anderson & Sean Lougheed's 3rd Place Yukon 1000 Finish
Season 1 · Episode 28
Sunday, November 23, 2025 • Duration 01:13:29
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with brother and sister in-law Lauren Anderson and Sean Lougheed out of Ontario, Canada. They finished 3rd overall and 2nd place canoe in the 2025 Yukon 1000 under the handle Team Outlaws. We cover so much in this episode from origin stories to getting to the Yukon 1000 via the YRQ, the importance of being connected to the land, cross training during the winter in a cold climate, stretching, interesting in-race recovery biohacking strategies, pre-race bloodwork to guide physiologic optimization, showing up for each other as teammates, and becoming the best version of oneself through epic paddling adventures. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Lauren and Sean themselves on this 28th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…
www.yukon1000.org
IG: @outlaws_paddling
Sean’s book/app recommendations:
-Kings of the Yukon, by Adam Weymouth: https://a.co/d/3cs0gb4
-Great Heart the history of a Labrador Adventure, by James West Davidson: https://a.co/d/3cs0gb4
-The National Film Board of Canada: https://www.nfb.ca/
Lauren’s book recommendations:
-Two Against the North, by Farley Mowat: https://a.co/d/6QLhRAj
-Songs of a Sourdough, by Robert W. Service: https://a.co/d/2FuTgcG
Fastest Known Paddle (FKP): www.fastestknownpaddle.com
FKP Podcast episode w/ Lindsey Tilton: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/17-chris-thomas-fastest-known-paddle-paddlings-answer/id1752312685?i=1000732530635
Ep. #27: Alex Somoano unfiltered on 3 years of Last Paddler Standing
Season 1 · Episode 27
Sunday, November 9, 2025 • Duration 01:41:01
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Alex Somoano, massage therapist and stand up paddle boarder originally hailing from Cuba who emigrated to the U.S. in Miami, Florida as a young child where he quickly discovered he was athletically inclined. I’ve been looking forward to this chat for a long time and it really turned out to be a fantastic conversation with a great human being. We cover so much in this episode from his origin story into paddling, a traumatic accident that started him on his journey to quote “find quality in everything”, the Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis, how paddling calms the mind and brings an inner peace, the importance of massage therapy for recovery, focus on process rather than outcome, the ’22, ’23, and ’24 Last Paddler Standing Races from training, to strategy, to emotions, and everything in between, nutrition, water quality in South Florida, and falling asleep standing up. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Alex himself on this 27th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…
Alex’s Book Recommendations:
-Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M Pirsig: https://a.co/d/0EX10Ig
-The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff: https://a.co/d/dVaRrOV
-Inner Excellence, by Jim Murphy: https://a.co/d/gX4cJaw
Races mentioned:
-Key West Paddle Classic: https://www.floridakeyswatermancompany.com/keywestpaddleclassic
-Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis: https://crossingforcysticfibrosis.com/
-L2O: https://www.paddlesignup.com/Race/FL/Stuart/Lake2OceanPaddleRace
-Last Paddler Standing: https://lastpaddlerstanding.com/
-Introducing Fastest Known Paddle with Lindsey Tilton on the Training Chats Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/17-chris-thomas-fastest-known-paddle-paddlings-answer/id1752312685?i=1000732530635
*Episode thumbnail photo credit: Mike Carson (@mikecarson.wmv)
Ep. #26: Ryan Milby - Founder of Llama Racks
Season 1 · Episode 26
Sunday, October 26, 2025 • Duration 54:01
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Ryan Milby out of Missouri, who is a self-proclaimed normal dude, Chief Hobby Officer, and founder of Llama Racks. We cover so much in this episode from yet again the welcoming nature of the paddling community, his journey getting into ultramarathon paddle racing as well as starting Llama Racks, jumping in head first into the MR340 and paddling through the night for the first time during the race, attention to detail in designing his racks, available options for all human powered boats, customizable options, the importance of not giving up and proceeding as the way opens, shipping options outside of the U.S., and breaking a boat completely in half in the Texas Water Safari. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Ryan himself on this 26th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…
Ryan’s Book Recommendations:
-The Kid Who Climbed Everest, by Bear Grylls: https://a.co/d/jgvJILO
How to find Ryan, Llama Racks, and Some Beach Outfitters:
www.llamaracks.com
www.llamaracks.com/some-beach-kayaks-liberty
@llamaracks - Instagram
@somebeachkayaksliberty - Instagram
Ep. #25: Esther Wheeler Comes Out On Top Again at the YRQ!!
Season 1 · Episode 25
Friday, October 17, 2025 • Duration 01:18:20
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
Ep. #24: Michelle Bousquet - Ultra Turned Ultra Paddler & 3rd Place in the 2025 YRQ
Season 1 · Episode 24
Sunday, September 28, 2025 • Duration 57:05
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Michelle Bousquet, ultramarathon runner and paddler out of Montreal who just podiumed in the 2025 Yukon River Quest in the solo female kayak class on her second attempt. We cover so much in this episode from her journey to finding ultramarathon running as well as ultramarathon paddling, her 250 mile Cocodona ultramarathon running race, sleep deprivation strategies, the 2024 and 2025 Yukon River Quest races, lessons from DNFs and hypothermia, broken rudders, the amazing wildness of the Yukon River, being a rafting guide on the Grand Canyon, and beer miles. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Michelle Bousquet herself on this 24th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…
Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie: https://www.classiquedecanots.com/EN/LaClassique.html
Michelle’s book recommendations:
-Born to Run, by Christopher McDougal: https://a.co/d/gDq7tpD
-Eat & Run, by Scott Jurek: https://a.co/d/0TdeQZc
-Upside Down on the Yukon River, by Steve Cannon: https://a.co/d/gCogD9d
Michelle’s social handles:
-IG: @michelle_bousquet
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16mZR2SRW3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Ep. #23: Alain Morvan - Never Give Up: The story of the Loire 725
Season 1 · Episode 23
Sunday, September 14, 2025 • Duration 53:39
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/
Ep. #22: Ben Lott Keeps Coming Back to the Yukon
Season 1 · Episode 22
Sunday, August 31, 2025 • Duration 01:08:14
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Ben Lott out of New Zealand who is an ultramarathon paddler, mountaineer, adventurer, trail runner, adventure racer, and equestrian who keeps finding his way back to the Yukon year after year. In addition to his adventuring exploits he is involved with the Yukon River Quest board and is involved with the race fleet as well. We cover so much in this episode from the life changing injury that brought him to paddling and the Yukon, the importance of implicitly trusting a paddling partner, the importance of giving back to the sport of ultramarathon paddling by being involved in races, insights from being an equestrian that overlap with paddling, paddling technique, the importance for racers to care for their boats in the Yukon, making paddle sports sexy again, boob cups, and the conditions New Zealanders paddle in that make them prime competitors in the Yukon. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Ben Lott himself on this 22nd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…
Ben's Instagram: @lotts_nzl
Finding Ben documentary: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkzf4lMjX77XdOuHtI-sfByeLcQ_7gQBo&si=emgCe3i3HoqRG48u
Finding Ben articles (Yukon 1000 website): https://www.yukon1000.org/findingbenpart1/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/130808417/finding-ben-part-2-1000-miles-and-beyond
Ben's Recommended New Zealand Paddle Adventures:
-Clutha River, NZ: https://www.cluthanz.com/explore/activities-and-attractions/all-activities-and-attractions/mighty-clutha-river
-Fjordland, NZ: https://www.cluthanz.com/explore/activities-and-attractions/all-activities-and-attractions/mighty-clutha-river
Ben’s Book Recommendations:
-Let My People Go Surfing, Yvon Chouinard - https://a.co/d/ezNRpw5
-The Long Walk, Slavomir Rawicz: https://a.co/d/0INH0gB
Chris’s Book Recommendations
-Some Stories: Lessons from the Edge of Business and Sport, Yvon Chouinard - https://a.co/d/6IQ1JzG
-Life Lived Wild: Adventures at the Edge of the Map, Rick Ridgeway - https://a.co/d/3oKcLqC
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
Ep. #20: Trey Reaves & The Tennessee River Record
Season 1 · Episode 20
Sunday, August 3, 2025 • Duration 58:30
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Trey Reaves out of Alabama, who has accomplished more than most men and without the use of his legs. Trey is well known for accomplishing amazing feats in his kayak, especially recently as he just set the record for paddling the entire length of the Tennessee River in just over 7 days. We cover so much in this episode from Trey spending 2.5 years planning his record setting attempt, the Tennessee River Line organization, support and an upcoming documentary on the attempt from Mike Carson 105, massive lightening storms, what to expect when going through a lock in a kayak, the beauty of the Tennessee River, the massive amount of community support he received along his journey, and his part in the 17-man crew that set the world record for distance traveled in a dragon boat during the 2025 MR340. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Trey himself, aka The Duke of Paducah, in this 20th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast.
Tennessee River Line website: https://www.tnriverline.org/
Tennessee River Line interactive map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/160e2b777f954d8e8bdc48f6ceb12028
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