The Red River Paddle Challenge is expanding its storytelling horizon with the official launch of Red River PaddleCast, a new podcast dedicated to the paddlers, partners, and community that make this event what it is. The first two episodes are now live and ready to stream.
Hosted by race director and long‑time paddler Brad Friesen, Red River PaddleCast dives into the stories behind the sport—spotlighting the people who shape paddling culture on the prairies and beyond. From race prep insights to behind‑the‑scenes conversations, the podcast brings listeners closer to the river and the community that surrounds it.
Both debut episodes are available now on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube, making it easy for paddlers and supporters to tune in from anywhere.
Red River PaddleCast will continue releasing new conversations throughout the season, offering a fresh way to connect with the spirit of the Red River Paddle Challenge year‑round.
Stay tuned, subscribe on your favourite platform, and join us on this new adventure along the river.
Red River PaddleCast, hosted by Brad Friesen, dives into the stories, grit, and river magic behind the Red River Paddle Challenge. Each episode brings you conversations with past, present, and future paddlers, plus the community leaders who help shape our sport. Fans will love the behind‑the‑scenes insights, wild adventure tales, training wisdom, and the shared passion that fuels this growing paddling community.
In this episode, Sandy Hudson shares how she built Kayak Manitoba from a pandemic side project into a 6,000-member hub, why the simplest gear is often the best gear, and how one book became a go-to guide for anyone wanting to paddle Manitoba.
In this episode:
- Why Sandy chose a lightweight youth kayak and how it changed her paddling life.
- How Kayak Manitoba grew from 50 members to thousands by focusing on community, not noise.
- The best beginner-friendly places to paddle near Winnipeg, including Island Lakes and Harbour View.
- What makes launches, river flow, and seasonal conditions matter more than people realize.
- Why she wrote How to Kayak Manitoba and how it answers the same questions beginners keep asking.
Brad and Sandy also get into the Red River Paddle Challenge, including what it takes to support paddlers at checkpoint three, why having a strong crew matters, and one unforgettable moment that shows exactly what this community is all about.
If you love paddling, are new to kayaking, or want to find new places and people to paddle with, this episode is packed with useful insight, local knowledge, and genuine inspiration.
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