Britt Spencer set a world record as the first New Zealander and female to cross the notorious Cook Strait on a prone paddle board.

In this episode I talk with Kiwi volunteer surf lifesaver Britt Spencer about endurance paddling, and crossing Cook Strait on a prone paddle board. After battling serious health issues and a year planning and training, the Nelson based Strength & Conditioning Coach made history with the crossing in April this year.

Get set for this one – Britt is inspiring! She talks about adapting to things that go wrong in adventure, how she copes in extreme moments of pain and challenge, in what she calls ‘Dark Mode’. We hear about her joy of being out on the water, what motivates her and the surprising food and drink she fuels her endurance paddles with.

Britt’s energy is infectious, and so is her fresh outlook on life.

Join us and be inspired to challenge your own limits.

Connect via Instagram @brittjayspencer

Youtube @brittjayspencer

Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Saltwater Journal⁠⁠

EPISODE NOTES | Britt

00:56 Life in Nelson

02:30 Competitive swimming

03:25 Introduction to Surf Lifesaving

06:27 Board chat

08:50 Long distance paddling

10:30 First endurance paddle

12:15 Dark mode

14:53 Injury and pulmonary embolism

22:02 Crossing Cook Strait

25:00 Weather conditions

30:00 Setting off

35:24 Support crew

38:00 Great White sharks

40:30 Surprise fuel

42:45 Hitting the wall

45:33 Best team

47:35 Land

51:40 Celebrations

54:03 Paddle X documentary

56:00 Give it a go

59:59 Future plans

Marybeth is a Canadian Youtube and content creator taking us on outdoor, travel and paddle “advenchas”.

I'm stoked to catch up with Marybeth to chat about her love of paddling, travel, wildlife encounters, and her super entertaining videos to motivate us to get outdoors.

Listen in for beginner advice on how to choose the right paddleboard for stability, tips for balance, and staying safe on the water. And if you’re hesitant to try a SUP or you’re embarrassed to fall in – we’ve got some encouragement for you!

Marybeth shares about her life by the Great Lakes in Ontario and going on backcountry adventures. We chat about paddling with huge ‘gators, and the joy of stalking beavers in her hometown backyard known as Coote’s paradise.

She also gives insights into her journey as a Youtube creator and her mission to encourage more play in life.

Connect via Instagram @paddleadventurer

and watch Paddle Adventurer on YouTube

Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal

Website: ⁠⁠Saltwater Journal⁠

EPISODE NOTES | Marybeth

1:06 Hometown

1:34 Journey into paddling

3:52 Choosing the best paddle board

5:53 Size and stability

6:57 Do it your way

8:32 Backcountry portaging

14:00 Pumping inflatables

16:46 Florida alligators

18:41 Marybeth’s mission

20:27 Backyard paddling

22:09 Beavers

23:56 Life in the outdoors

25:42 YouTube journey

29:00 Beginner advice

31:32 Winter paddling

35:00 Tips for balance

38:07 Moose

39:00 Future adventures

39:44 Magic of paddling

In this episode I talk with Alice Baker and Courtney Te Whiu - two great Kiwi mates who worked their way into the world of boat crew and luxury superyachts having the time of their life in dream destinations.

With 12+ years of combined experience, and all the what to-do’s and what not-to do’s, they founded the New Zealand Superyacht Academy with internationally recognised courses to kick-start graduate’s superyacht careers.

Listen in to get all the goss on what it takes to find work onboard, perks of the job, what a captain’s looking for in crew, and how much it’s really like ‘Below Deck’.

Travel, fun, money and a whole lot of hard work – find out how it started for these two, and what you’ll get from joining the superyacht academy.

If you’re keen to link in with a network of incredible supportive boaties exploring the world on superyachts – get in contact with Alice and Courtney

Connect via Instagram @nzsuperyachtacademy

and visit New Zealand Superyacht Academy

Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal

Website: ⁠Saltwater Journal

EPISODE NOTES | New Zealand Superyacht Academy

1:10 Early days

2:35 Starting out as crew

5:41 Dockwalking

7:40 The allure of boating

9:30 Surprises of the industry

13:20 Guest & owner experiences

16:40 Prepared for any scenario

17:15 Crew culture

17:50 Below Deck

18:56 Personality & skills

21:00 Perks of the job

23:50 Opportunities

24:11 Age & career

27:15 Roles onboard

27:08 The Academy

31:00 Community support

32:23 Internationally recognised courses

33:30 Specialist industry leaders

36:44 STCW

38:41 Student success

41:00 Caviar

43:21 Wealth management

46:32 Yachting & parenthood

48:51 Where to sign up