The Paddler's Pod
Episodes
Episode 81 - Somebody Call A Doctor
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
... but not for Cory Hill and Kira Bester.The Australian adds a seventh title to his name in Western Australia, while Bester breaks through for her fi...
Episode 80 - with Cory Hill
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
He's won four ICF World Championships... six Doctors... and four Moloikai Challenges... but Cory Hill can claim another title to his name: co-host...
Episode 79 - Flying Solo
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's uncharted waters for The Paddler's Pod!Macca is away, but Sam shall play... host, on his own, given how much there is to get through in t...
Episode 78 - with Kira Bester
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
She's defended her ICF World Championship, and now... in her words, not ours... Kira Bester has ticked off another goal by joining Sam & Macca...
Episode 77 - Storylines & Shoreys
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A World Championships to remember! Not just because of the brutal, ski-snapping Durban shorey... but also for the racing it hosted.Sam & Macca tak...
Episode 76 - World Championships Preview
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The time for training is over... the ICF World Championships are here!Sam & Macca deliver a surprisingly in-depth analysis of the field, check in ...
Episode 75 - Straight To The Top
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guests on The Paddler's Pod don't come more 'presidential' than this.Sam sits down with ICF boss Thomas Konietsko to chat about the fu...
Episode 74 - World's Worst Surfski Spot
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it unwarranted? Perhaps. But Macca has turned the blowtorch on one of the world's most popular surfski spots... and labelled it the world's...
Episode 73 - with Oscar Chalupsky
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the start of The Paddler's Pod's new interview series... and where else would we start than the Big O?Oscar Chalupsky is back on the podcast, giv...
Episode 72 - The Countdown Starts Now
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Paddler's Pod is back! And just in time to kick off the final countdown until the 2025 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships.There's plenty of catc...
Episode 71 - American Dream
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It might have been a nightmare build-up, but Macca is living every surfski paddler's dream this week... at the 2025 Gorge Downwind Championships!T...
Episode 70 - Dreams Can Come True
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's like the script out of a Hollywood movie.A boys who grows up watching the sport's greats at Molokai becomes just like them, winning the i...
Episode 69 - Growing Up
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Well, I guess this is growing up.Macca has some HUGE news to share on this latest episode of The Paddler's Pod, seeing the boys get a little bit r...
Episode 68 - An Aussies For The Ages
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sam & Macca are back underneath their surf club tents like it's 2010!The dust has settled on the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, an...
Episode 67 - Beware of Whales
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year!.. we can still say that, right?The Paddler's Pod is back for its first recording of 2025, and it's brought Sam & Macca bac...
Episode 66 - The Long-Awaited WA Race Week Recap
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Paddler's Pod for 2025! And to begin... we're going back to 2024. This recap of the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week was recorded...
Episode 65 - Animal Month
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's Animal Month in the surfski world! And the world's best paddlers are racing like them, too. Nicky Notten and Jade Wilson fly through the water to...
Episode 64 - Worth The Wait
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The racing season has launched into overdrive, and we're desperately trying to hang on for the ride! On this episode of The Paddler's Pod, Sam & M...
Episode 63 - Claiming The Crowns
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
All rise! Because two new ICF World Champions have been crowned. Macca is back from Madeira... Sam has recovered from pneumonia... so The Paddler's P...
Episode 62 - Surfski & Surfski-Adjacent Racing
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's not *too* often we stray from the surfski scene, but with racing like this, we had to make an exception. The World Life Saving Titles, the Canoe ...
Episode 61 - What Did We Forget Again?
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's always something, isn't there? But one thing we haven't forgotten... all of the latest in the surfski world. Scintillating split t...
Episode 60 - An Important Conversation
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tragedy has struck the Australian ocean racing community, so on this episode, Sam & Macca reflect on the passing of Brad Russell and discuss what ...
Episode 59 - Let the Games Begin!
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's not often that we cross to the dark side... but when the Olympic Games roll around, why not? Sam & Macca check in with two of surfski...
Episode 58 - Wake Up, Macca
20 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pardon the late upload, but things have been a little sleepy at The Paddler's Pod. Thankfully, Sam has stumbled on one of the greatest motivationa...
Episode 57 - The New Era
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are BACK! And for the first time... we've gone multi-modal. The Paddler's Pod is now available to watch on YouTube... but for Sam and Macca...
Episode 56 - Double Trouble
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Oh, the week that was! Sam & Macca have caught their breath after an awesome week in Perth, and they're back on the mics to re-live it. But th...
Episode 55 - History Makers
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The World Championships have been run and won... and they're victories we'll be talking about for a long time. Congratulations to Cory Hill an...
Episode 54 - LIVE at the World Championships
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The live show is back! Sam & Macca were back on the mics in Perth at the 2023 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships, and we're so grateful for ...
WA Race Week Recap: The Doctor + Point Score
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An extraordinary week of racing has come to a close, courtesy of two extraordinary performances. Sam & Macca are back to round out the week and an...
WA Race Week Recap: Sunset Surfski Series #2 + Dash 4 Cash
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Four stops down... one to go! It's all coming to a head in Perth at the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week! There's been two races in the last 24 ...
WA Race Week Recap: Sunset Surfski Series #1
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's heating up at the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week! Maybe even a bit too much. With the field defying heatwave conditions, and offshore winds, ...
WA Race Week Recap: The West Coast Downwinder
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been months of waiting... and months of training... but the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week is here! We'll be recording race recaps after ...
Episode 53 - Growing Up
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It had to happen eventually, right? Macca made big steps in Hong Kong, and it's not just because of his podium finish at the Dragon Run. There'...
Episode 52 - Fine Wine
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With Macca in Hong Kong for the Dragon Run, there's only one man who could fill the void... the great Austin Kieffer! Sam & Austin talk throug...
Episode 51 - Mr November
04 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been circled for a long time, but the calendars have now turned over to the month of November... and the biggest few weeks of racing the spor...
Episode 50 - The Half-Century
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's a cause for CELEBRATION! The Paddler's Pod is raising the bat, chalking up a half-century of episodes! So, after weeks spent trying to wr...
Episode 49 - Boys On Film
07 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lights... Camera... Action! The paddler's are the actors, and all of the ocean is a stage... or, something like that. Things are picking up on soc...
Episode 48 - The ReReturn
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sam & Macca are reunited... and it feels good!! The boys have plenty to catch up on, like Macca's broken foot and Sam's run-in with crime....
Episode 47 - The Gorge
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
OK... maybe the last episode was a classic surfski false-start? THIS TIME The Paddler's Pod is back! Although we are missing one of our co-hosts. ...
Episode 46 - The Return
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
... is this thing still on? Yes, I know... we can't believe it either! The Paddler's Pod is back! There's no shortage of things to chat ab...
Episode 45 - Social Media Meltdown
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Paddler's Pod is certainly finishing the year with a BANG! It blew up online, now Sam & Macca give their take on the plan for the plan for the...
Episode 44 - The WA Race Week Review
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sam & Macca have pulled themselves out of their coma and are back in front of the microphones to run through what was a huuuuuuuuge week of racing...
Episode 43 - Our First Live Show
20 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a long-held dream... but The Paddler's Pod has gone LIVE for the very first time! Sam & Macca took to the stage at the Shaw and Partners...
Episode 42 - Stepping Onto The Battlefield
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, we've received your messages. And yes, Sam and Macca are stepping out of their bunker. The boys discuss The Great War on this latest episode of T...
Episode 41 - Times of War
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can you feel that, listeners? The temperature is changing, tensions are rising and Australia's biggest races are coming... no wonder everyone is on ed...
Episode 40 - The Most Outrageous Story Surfski Has Ever Seen
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Well, that's cooked. It's been labelled "the loosest story" to hit The Paddler's Pod, which is fitting, because this is a loose episode. Sam & Mac...
Episode 39 - A Big Announcement
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's a very special episode of The Paddler's Pod to make a very special announcement. Actually, make that a few... as Shaw and Partners co-CEO Earl Ev...
Episode 38 - World Championships Review
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
And just like that, it's all over! Still catching their breath after a gruelling race, Sam & Macca break down all of the action at the 2022 World ...
Episode 37 - World Championships Preview
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's the ultimate example of last-minute preparations, but the World Championships are running in 24 hours, so Sam & Macca have finally got their ...
Episode 36 - Heart-to-Hearts, Breaking the Pain Barrier and A Course on Confidence
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Something different on this episode of The Paddler's Pod, with Macca turning from host into guest. He and Sam chat through the highs and lows of racin...
Episode 35 - The Bonnie Hancock Interview
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bonnie Hancock is back at home on the Gold Coast... and now, back at home on The Paddler's Pod. In an extended interview, Hancock reveals the hidden p...
Episode 34 - The Pin-Up Boys, World's Richest Race, Lifejacket Losers and Andy Birkett!
27 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The boys are back down under and straight back to work after a huge trip to the Gorge. They're not alone - Oscar Chalupsky is an author, the WA Race W...
Episode 33 - The Complete Gorge Breakdown, King Kenny's Reign Continues, D-Mac's Dice & Greg Barton!
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The first major international race since the COVID-19 pandemic began did not disappoint! The world's best paddlers were flying at the Gorge Downwind C...
Episode 32 - The Gorge Preview LIVE from Hood River with Ana Swetish
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Paddler's Pod is coming to you LIVE from Hood River in the USA ahead of the Gorge Downwind Champs! International racing has returned and Sam and M...
Episode 31 - The Catch Up
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The boys are men of their word... well, this time at least, anyway. Get up to date with all of the latest talking points in the surfski world with thi...
Episode 30 - Sam's Big Rant, The World's Slowest Sprint Finish & Jasper Mocke!
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Paddler's Pod is BACK! And it has a bit of everything in this episode. The boys re-live the 'world's slowest drag race' that they shared at the He...
Episode 29 - Freezing & Fearless, International Racing Wrap & Hank McGregor!
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
He has done just about everything there is to do in the world of surfski... and now, Hank McGregor can claim to be a guest on The Paddler's Pod! The a...
Episode 28 - The Aussies Special
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Well, five people asked... so Sam & Macca have delivered. The Paddler's Pod is stepping away from the world of downwind paddling for just one epis...
Episode 27 - The Gold Coast Curse, Downwind Drag Races & Jackson Collins!
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
He's soared to the top of surfski racing, but now Jackson Collins can lay claim to his biggest achievement to date... a guest spot of The Paddler's Po...
Episode 26 - Blokes Getting Chick'd, a Star Paddler's Surprise Switch & Our Most Important Message Yet with Guy Leech
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Macca is BACK! Call off the search party, Mackenzie Hynard has come home to The Paddler's Pod and we are stoked about it. It's great timing, as ...
Episode 25 - The Future of Molokai, A Big Dog is Back & Guest Host Austin Kieffer!
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to believe this is Austin Kieffer's first appearance on The Paddler's Pod, but nonetheless, he and Sam certainly make up for lost time. The ...
Episode 24 - Downwind Record, 'Bridge to Beach' Breakdown & Guest Host Mitchell Trim!
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Racing is back! But Macca is not. So Sam has wrangled in Australian sprint king Mitchell Trim to chat through the latest in the surfski world. The boy...
Episode 23 - International Racing Set For Return, Major World Championships Announcement & Adventurer Update!
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's our (soft) launch for 2022! Sam is joined by guest host Mackenzie Morgan in the podcast studio to talk through a huge start to the year. The Aust...
Episode 22 - The Cape Point Challenge Breakdown, Adventurers Set Sail & Nick Notten!
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
One more time for 2021! Sam & Macca return for the last time this year to breakdown all of the action and excitement from the Cape Point Challenge...
Episode 21 - A 20 Beaches for the Ages, South African Showdown & Jemma Smith!
19 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Back in one week! That's some kind of record, right? There's plenty to talk about as Sam & Macca (yep, he's back!) break down a PUMPING 20 B...
Episode 20 - The Long Game, Mocke's Momentous Victory, The New Macca & Bonnie Hancock!
12 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sam & Macca are back... but not the Macca that you're expecting! Work has sidelined Mr Hynard, but is in his place is ANOTHER Mackenzie who loves ...
Episode 19 - Epic Adventures, Uncharted Territories, Iconic Contributors & Tommy Norton!
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's a round-the-world trip on this episode of The Paddler's Pod! The boys place 'Dougal's Epic Adventure' in the spotlight as he crosses Europe, head...
Episode 18 - Big Wave Paddling, The Great Run Finish Debate & Judit Verges Xifra!
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
School's out for Macca, so The Paddler's Pod is back! The boys start wading their way through all of the latest surfski news right around the world.. ...
Episode 17 - Teneale Hatton, the Surfski Revolution & the most incredible story you've ever heard!
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We don't want to talk it up... but it is undoubtedly the most incredible, breathtaking and miraculous surfski story you've ever heard! Sam & Macca...
Episode 16 - Olympic Push, Development Pathways, International Banter & Michelle Burn!
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sam & Macca have finally dragged themselves away from their TVs to jump behind the mic... and they have Olympic fever! The boys argue about whethe...
Episode 15 - An interview with former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Guests on The Paddler's Pod don't come any more high-profile than this! As part of The Paddler's Profile series, Sam had an expansive chat with former...
Episode 14 - World Championships Special
10 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The 2021 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships have been run and won... now Sam & Macca are here to talk through the action! It's a World Champs Sp...
Episode 13 - Surfski thieves, historic downwinds, World Champs chat & Gordan Harbrecht!
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The ICF Ocean Racing World Championships are just days away... and it has the boys excited! Sam & Macca are back to preview the big race, while al...
Episode 12 - A sombre safety reminder, Race Week re-cap & special guest Grant Kenny!
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
He's an ironman icon, an Olympic medalist and a five-time Molokai Champion... now the great Grant Kenny is a guest on The Paddler's Pod! Sam & Mac...
Episode 11 - Getting chick'd, Crossing the globe, Fine wines & Valentin Henot!
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Alright, alright... we know! But the boys are back - and they have a pretty good excuse. It's our LONGEST episode to date and it's worth the listen. T...
Episode 10 - Explosive Allegations, Seven-Figure Sums, a Sobering Safety Reminder & Michael Booth!
14 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year! It might be a few months late, but the boys are finally back from their extended festive season break - and there's plenty to catch up...
Episode 9 - Record Splits, Closing the Gap, Cape Point Challenge & Kenny Rice!
23 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Christmas miracle! Sam & Macca have snuck in one last episode of The Paddler's Pod for the year... and it's jam-packed! The boys investigat...
Episode 8 - Hayley Nixon, World Records, Breaking News, Near Misses & an Overdue Reunion!
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's a history making episode for The Paddler's Pod... Sam and Macca are reunited! Sitting side-by-side for the first time, there's plenty for them to...
Episode 7 - Racing returns, a source of surfski inspiration & Clint Robinson!
04 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Racing is back and so are the boys! Sam & Macca chat through the latest international events, shine a light on an inspiring new surfski initiative...
Episode 6 - Guest Host Cory Hill shares his secrets to fitness & the truth about Molokai 2016.
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's new territory for The Paddler's Pod... our very first guest host! Two-time World Champion Cory Hill takes a break from his busy lifestyle to sit ...
Episode 5 - A look at the state of surfski with Dean Gardiner
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Yep - even when the surfski world goes quiet, the boys still find a way to talk! This episode they're joined by the legendary competitor, coach and ev...
Episode 4 - Big waves, Big wind and 'The Big O' Oscar Chalupsky!
05 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's The Paddler Pod's BIGGEST episode yet. Huge swell and pumping downwinds dominate the Power Plays countdown, while the boys also discuss the WA Ra...
Episode 3 - ICF World Championships Cancellation Special & Danielle McKenzie Chat
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam & Macca break down all things ICF World Championships, discuss the fallout from its cancellation and predict where its future lies within the ...
Episode 2 - Dawid Mocke, the return of South African paddling, shark scares & more
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The boys are back with the second episode of The Paddler's Pod! They break down the New Zealand Virtual Championships, do the rounds of surfski social...
Episode 1 - Sean Rice, COVID-19, WA Race Week & more
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's here! And there's plenty to get through on the first ever episode of The Paddler's Pod with Sam & Macca. The boys countdown their Power Plays...