E52: 2026 California River Quest Recap

E55 - David Horkan - 2026 Vohondu Marathon 3rd Place K1

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with David Horkan, Irish ultramarathon paddler, adventurer, guide, and coach who just came in 3rd place K1 in the Vohondu Marathon in Estonia. We cover so much in this episode from getting started paddling at a young age through canoe polo, crossovers between show jumping horses and kayaking, the importance of consistent practice, the Liffey Descent, the Devizes to Westminster the race that changed his life, the Irish paddling scene and community, his attempt at the fastest solo circumnavigation of Ireland, the 2026 Vohondu Marathon, preparing the mind for ultra endurance efforts, the Irish Wildwater Racing Series, low intensity versus high intensity training, and guiding and coaching. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from David himself on this 55th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… David's Contact Info: -IG: @dhkayaking -Website: www.dhkayaking.com David’s book recommendations: -The Pacific Alone, by Dave Shively: https://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Alone-Untold-Kayakings-Boldest/dp/1493058436/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1#detailBullets_feature_div -Fearless, by Joe Glickman: https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-One-Woman-Kayak-Continent-ebook/dp/B00MJD6QE0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NHN81GYTJUNC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a1zMLJJt6jZL9AZBUy-Gbtb67J33fd_M4Wo6rxKCgVU.57HEJ8S4IBF7J94sIkOYTkvJOOfLukEueYvf2o9EEqQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=freya+hoffmeister+joe+glickman&qid=1778632136&sprefix=freya+hoffmeister+joe+glic%2Caps%2C416&sr=8-1 -A Voyage for Madmen, by Peter Nichols: https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Madmen-Peter-Nichols/dp/0060957034/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OGZ4F003K6QI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IMVwQe9OQTea81Npl7ah097PG6PQ0RfbJRW3F94PEcqRoSEPoSmE7cKKYdL86E6pAJO-XE_meIlXRiBLEvqrabQVrOeQmYpQxwDpT73b9-V6aXLCphJGo_qb4KWcVqgR.EBxRkGSG362zGTIZU8TBdlHYD1T0lWfVyioswFCro2c&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+voyage+for+madmen&qid=1778632259&sprefix=a+voyage+for+madm%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1

E54: Kendra Leibel and BeaV Vollhaber - Kruger-Waddell Challenge Record Holders

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Kendra Leibel & BeaV Vollhaber two adventurers and ultramarathon paddlers with a preference for unsupported challenges. I first want to give a shoutout to Joseph Gerard who suggested I interview these two last year. We cover so much in this episode from wing nights to backcountry Alaska living, the Everglades Challenge and the Water Tribe, resume building portages, the history of the Voyageurs Highway and the Kruger-Waddell Challenge, paddling under the Northern Lights, navigating by map and compass, seeing penguins in Florida, the importance of a positive attitude and mental fortitude, and the life changing impacts of ultra distance paddling. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Kendra and BeaV themselves on this 54th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Kendra’s book recommendations: -Beyond Grit, by Cindra Kamphoff: https://a.co/d/0gNGTSsH -Woman of the Boundary Waters, by Justine Kerfoot: https://a.co/d/0d0tiNsG BeaV’s book recommendations: -My Side of the Mountain, by Jean George: https://a.co/d/03YmdD6F Links: www.bwca.com www.watertribe.com

E53: Matt Taylor & Bobby Johnson Talk Suwannee 230 & AL650

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Matt Taylor and Bobby Johnson, two elite ultramarathon paddlers out of Alabama and Florida, respectively, who have won back-to-back Suwannee 230 titles in ’24 and ’25 as well as the 2025 Alabama 650 as a team. We cover so much in this episode from learning from failure, the Texas Water Safari, broken boats that bring a team together better than Flex Tape, stomach issues and ultimatums, rescuing cats during the Suwannee 230, the Alabama 650, getting stuck on the same dock 2 years in a row due to storms, and paddling to win but more importantly to have a great time in the process. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Matt and Bobby themselves on this 53rd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Also, I just recently launched a website where you can find archives of all episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, see what’s coming down the pike in the “coming soon” section, and you can find a fully curated list of recommended reads from each guest that has come on the show in the Book Club section. You can find all this at dabblinginpaddleism.com. Bobby’s book recommendations: Endurance, by Alfred Lansing - https://a.co/d/02uEzQlv Matt’s book recommendations: Books by Rod Price - https://www.rodpriceadventure.com/home/rods-books/

E52: 2026 California River Quest Recap

In this episode, Chris Thomas gives his firsthand account of the 2026 California River Quest including the conditions, boat selection, and challenges along the course. Additionally, he discusses ways in which listeners can support the show at www.dabblinginpaddleism.com via a new merch store, membership opportunities that come with custom gear that only members will have access to, as well as donations. Website: www.dabblinginpaddleism.com Gear mentioned on this show: -Solite neoprene boots -NRS neoprene pants

E51: Emily McNeil & Trey Reaves - 2026 Everglades Challenge Champs

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Trey Reaves and Emily McNeil, two highly accomplished paddlers who just came out on top in the 2026 Everglades Challenge. After meeting both of these characters in the 2023 Yukon 1000 it was great to sit down with them together and chat about how they both came through for each other in a solid team win in the EC. We cover so much in this episode from the supportive paddling community around Kansas City as well as the Water Tribe, the choose your own adventure aspect of the Everglades Challenge, treacherous aspects of the EC that set this race apart from others, navigation, in-race birthday celebrations, hallucinations and sleep deprivation strategies, and the bond developed between two paddlers suffering together. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Emily and Trey themselves on this 51st episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Emily’s book recommendations: The Pursuit of Endurance, by Jennifer Pharr Davis: https://a.co/d/0dUrnct0 Emily’s Social: -FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1869413446655700