Paddles Ready
Paddles Ready is a podcast dedicated to paddle racing, hosted by Dougie and Hando. They cover race reviews, front-line commentary, and conversations with paddlers from around the world. The show keeps listeners updated on major competitions, behind-the-scenes stories, and athlete insights. It aims to serve both elite racers and those new to the grassroots paddle scene. Listeners can expect honest analysis and stories from the sport that aren't widely covered elsewhere.
Episodes
EP18: A salute to the real MVPs
We talk about the races, the medals, the travel and the mates you make along the way. But what about the people at home who make the paddling life possible?Dougie and Hando have the studio to themselves this week, and they’re shining the spotlight on the partners, families and kids who put up with the 5am alarms, the weekends away and the bills that come with chasing a sport you love.Then
EP17: Paddle QLD’s Scott Sharples sets sights on World Paddle Games
World Paddle Games… Queensland… 2030. We can almost feel it! And this bloke thinks it's going to happen.Paddle QLD's Executive Officer Scott Sharples joins us on Episode 17 of Paddles Ready, talking record membership growth, a cracking new initiative to get more youngsters paddling, and why the biggest chapter for paddle sports is just around the corner.⏱️ 60 SECONDS WITH DOUGIEThis week
EP16: Dragon Boating's Missing Generation: IDBF Senior VP Meri Gibson
Meri Gibson is back! When Meri joined us for Episode 3, she shared the story behind the international breast cancer survivor paddling movement, which left plenty of us reaching for the tissues! This time, we’re exploring another side of her contribution to the sport. Alongside her work in the breast cancer survivor community, Meri also serves as Senior Vice President of the International
EP15: The World Is Heading to Taipei: Are You Ready?
The countdown is on.The IDBF Club Crew World Championships in Taipei are getting closer, and the global dragon boat community is gearing up for one of the biggest events on the international paddling calendar.In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando turn their attention to what's happening across the paddling world—from recent European competition and racing in Hong Kong to endu
EP14: East Meets West: Paddles Ready Goes to China with Mr Luo
East Meets West: Paddles Ready Goes to China with Mr. LuoWhat happens when you sit down with one of the most influential figures in modern dragon boating?In this special episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down for a fascinating conversation with Mr. Luo, founder of Champion Boats and a passionate advocate for the growth and evolution of dragon boating worldwide live in the stu
EP13: Rugby Took It Away. Paddling Gave It Back. - Mitch Zanstra
What happens when the sport you've dedicated your life to is suddenly taken away?For New Zealand paddler Mitch Zanstra, rugby was everything until a series of serious injuries and concussions forced him to walk away from the game he loved. Looking for a new purpose, one simple moment changed everything when a cousin handed him a paddle.That paddle led to a journey Mitch could never have i
EP12: Does Dragon Boating Even Need the Olympics? | Ben Livingstone
Does dragon boating really need the Olympics to succeed?It's a question that's sparked debate for years and in this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie, Hando and Australian representative Ben Livingstone tackle it head-on.Ben's journey into dragon boating is one many paddlers can relate to. After discovering the sport through a corporate regatta, he quickly fell in love with the competition
EP11: Is Dragon Boating Too Obsessed With Tradition?
Is Dragon Boating Too Obsessed With Tradition?Dragon boating is built on thousands of years of history, culture, and tradition but is tradition helping the sport grow, or is it holding it back?In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando dive into one of the biggest debates facing the sport today. From modern coaching methods and athlete testing to purpose-built dragon boat gyms and
EP10: The Man Who Built Modern Dragon Boating with Mike Haslam
What if one conversation could explain how dragon boating became the global sport we know today?In this special episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down with Mike Haslam, founding President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), to explore the incredible journey that took dragon boating from a handful of traditional boats in Hong Kong to a worldwide sport involving
EP09: Could Australia Host the Biggest Paddle Event in the World?
Could Australia Host the Biggest Paddle Event in the World?What would happen if every major paddle sport came together for one massive international event?In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando dive into one of the most exciting developments in paddle sports, the proposed World Paddle Games and Australia's bid to host what could become one of the largest paddle events on the p
EP08: The Perfect Dragon Boat Start? Hando Breaks Down 30 Years of Race Starts
What makes the perfect dragon boat start?Is it power? Technique? Timing? Or is it something else entirely?In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie sits down with Hando to unpack one of the most important and most debated aspects of dragon boat racing: the start.Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a paddler, sweep, coach, and race strategist, Hando breaks down how starts have ev
EP07: The Race to Catch China: Inside USA Dragon Boating’s Rise with Tommy Leonardi
Can the USA catch China in dragon boating?That’s the question at the centre of this episode of Paddles Ready, as Dougie and Hando sit down with Tommy Leonardi for a deep dive into the rapid rise of USA dragon boating on the world stage.With over 30 years in the sport, 52 world championship medals as both a paddler and coach, and leadership roles across some of America’s most respected dra
EP06: How Canada Became a Dragon Boat Powerhouse with Julie Robitaille
How did Canada become one of the strongest dragon boat nations in the world?In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down with Julie Robitaille, President of Dragon Boat Canada, for a deep dive into the rise of Canadian dragon boating on the world stage.From youth development and elite coaching systems to Olympic ambitions and international success, Julie shares what has hel
EP05: Is Dragon Boating a Sport or Just a Festival?
Is dragon boating a sport… or just a festival?It’s a question that comes up more often than you’d think and in this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando dive straight into it.From local regattas to global events, dragon boating is built on more than just racing. It’s culture, tradition, community and above all, club pride.In this episode, the boys break down what makes club identity
EP04: “We Are a Sport” - The Fight to Define Dragon Boating’s Future with Claudio Schermi
“We are a sport.”It’s a simple statement but it sits at the centre of one of the biggest conversations in dragon boating today.In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando are joined by Claudio Schermi, President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the sport.Broadcast live from Macau, Claudio shares exclusive insight i
EP03: “This Could Be Their Last Adventure” - The Power of Dragon Boating with Meri Gibson
“This could be their last adventure.”For thousands of paddlers around the world, dragon boating is more than a sport, it’s community, recovery, purpose and in some cases, a final chapter lived to the fullest.In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando are joined by Meri Gibson, President of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission Global, to share the story behind one of
EP02: Why Isn’t Dragon Boating in the Olympics?
Why isn’t dragon boating in the Olympics?It’s one of the fastest-growing paddle sports in the world, with thousands of athletes, global competitions, and a history spanning over 2,000 years — so why hasn’t it made it to the Olympic stage?In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando break it all down, straight off the back of the Australian National Championships at Kawana.From race
EP01: It's Here! Welcome to the Paddles Ready Podcast
It’s here. Paddles Ready has officially launched. 🌍In this first episode, Dougie and Hando kick things off by sharing how Paddles Ready went from a simple idea in Berlin to a global platform for paddle sports and dragon boating.They break down their journey through the sport, what listeners can expect from the show, and why paddle racing needs a stronger international voice. From race com
