Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast

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.

Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by Chris Thomas, with 69 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Chris Thomas hosts Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast, a sports show with 69 episodes published.

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  Episode #69

  E69: Ilia Smirnov Crushes the Solo Mississippi Speed Record - Part 2

  Sep 27, 20261h 38mS1

  In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down again with Ilia Smirnov for part 2 of his solo Mississippi Speed Record adventure. We cover so much in this episode from keeping your world small, rhabdomyolysis, crew support, paddling through 26 locks, navigating big city and barge traffic, strategies for communicating with lock masters, finding campsites, run-ins with military police, and the infamous Chain of Rocks. And if you’re enjoying the show please share it, follow it, or visit dabblinginpaddleism.com to find archives, what’s coming soon, guest book recommendations, and ways to support the show through merch, memberships, and more. There’s so much more to this episode, part 2 of a 3 part series, but I’ll let you hear it from Ilia himself on this 69th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Ilia’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/ilia.capefear Business website: www.capefearadventures.com Personal website: www.uncomfortablewithin.com

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  Episode #68

  E68: Ilia Smirnov Crushes the Solo Mississippi Speed Record - Part 1

  Sep 20, 20261h 41mS1

  In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Ilia Smirnov, endurance and whitewater paddler and paddle shop owner originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, now living in North Carolina who just smashed the solo Mississippi Speed Record. This is the 1st episode of a 3 part epic series as Ilia and I sat down for nearly 6 total hours on 3 separate occasions. We cover so much in this part 1 episode from buying a paddle shop before he ever paddled before, leveling up to whitewater rafting and paddling, the Green River Narrows Race, kayaking the Grand Canyon solo, physical and mental training, vessel choice for the speed record, attachment to ego and controlling the mind, the headwaters of the Mississippi, how going from pristine wilderness to industrialization affects the mind as well as the land, and formidable lake crossings. And if you’re enjoying the show please share it, follow it, or visit dabblinginpaddleism.com to find archives, what’s coming soon, guest book recommendations, and ways to support the show through merch, memberships, and more. There’s so much more to this episode, part 1 of a 3 part series, but I’ll let you hear it from Ilia himself on this 68th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Ilia’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/ilia.capefear Business website: www.capefearadventures.com Personal website: www.uncomfortablewithin.com

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  Episode #67

  E67: Chris Issendorf - Part 2: 1st ever Texas Water Safari solo overall champion

  Sep 13, 20261h 24mS1

  In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Chris Issendorf for take two of their conversation. In this episode we cover the 2026 Ausable River Marathon, row positioning for the Safari, support crews, using Ai to address in race problems, 100 man cheering sections, a drunk alligator hunter, the demons that creep in during an ultra race and strategies to fight them off, a treaturous open bay crossing, hitting rock bottom 1 mile from the finish line, alcohol and athletic performance, the Texas Water Safari paddling community, and chasing the perfect race. And if you’re enjoying the show please share it, follow it, or visit dabblinginpaddleism.com to find archives, what’s coming soon, a book club tab with guest curated reading recommendations, and ways to support the show through merch, memberships, and more. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Chris himself on this 67th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Chris’s book recommendations: Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown Canoe Racing, by Peter Heed and Dick Mansfield Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall Chris’s coaching platform: issendorfcanoeandkayak.com

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  Episode #66

  E66: Chris Issendorf - Part 1: 1st ever Texas Water Safari solo overall champion

  Sep 6, 20261h 25mS1

  In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Chris Issendorf, legendary ultramarathon paddler and 1st ever overall solo champion of the Texas Water Safari in 2026. We cover so much in this episode from seeking out hard things in life, learning from failure, paddling technique, the Ausable River Marathon, Chris’s training evolution, finding the perfect solo boat for the Safari, intentional mental training, the importance of training camps, the story behind him racing solo in the 2026 Texas Water Safari, and the pursuit of perfection. And if you’re enjoying the show please share it, follow it, or visit dabblinginpaddleism.com to find archives, what’s coming soon, a book club tab with guest curated reading recommendations, and ways to support the show through merch, memberships, and more. Of note, we did this episode in 2 takes because we had so much to talk about and that’s how it’s going to be delivered to you in two episodes. There’s so much more to this show, a 1st of a two part series, but I’ll let you hear it from Chris himself on this 66th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…

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  Episode #65

  E65: David Miller of Rowdy Racoon Paddling & Racing Solutions

  Aug 30, 20261h 21mS1

  In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down again with David Miller, ultramarathon paddler and owner of Rowdy Racoon Paddling and Racing Solutions. We cover so much in this episode from how to build a kayak, an intro into boat modifications and repair, working with carbon fiber, custom trailers, Rowdy Racoon, balanced yokes, under stern versus over stern rudders, his new invention the Ski Dash, and Party Possum. And if you’re enjoying the show please share it, follow it, or visit dabblinginpaddleism.com to find archives, what’s coming soon, guest book recommendations, and ways to support the show through merch, memberships, and more. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from David himself on this 65th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Rowdy Racoon Website: https://www.rowdyracoon.com/ Rowdy Racoon IG: @rowdyracoonracing David’s FB: https://www.facebook.com/david.m.miller.58 David’s email: damichaelmil@gmail.com Ski Dash weight: 8oz

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