Super Good Camping Podcast

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Your phone shows sunshine, the clouds look wrong, and you’re two days deep into the backcountry with no signal. Now imagine the one tool that could confirm what’s coming next goes silent. That’s the gut-level concern we dig into as we talk about Environment and Climate Change Canada winding down the weather radio network and pushing Canadians toward online updates like the WeatherCAN app and the ECCC website.

We get specific about why weather radio has mattered for camping safety in Canada, not just as a nice-to-have, but as a battery-powered, over-the-air backup when cell towers fail, the internet drops, or the power goes out. We also unpack the bigger impact beyond recreation: rural, remote, and Indigenous communities can be left more vulnerable when essential alerts assume reliable connectivity. Even in urban areas near major water like Lake Ontario, we’ve leaned on weather radio during messy conditions and outages.

Then we shift from rant to readiness. We share practical workarounds you can actually use: pre-trip planning with SpotWX using precise coordinates, building redundancy with satellite communicators like Garmin, caching offline radar and wind layers with the Windy app, and saving forecasts via screenshots or printouts before you lose service. We’re honest about forecast limits after a few days and why learning basic “read the sky” skills is still part of being competent outdoors.

If you care about backcountry preparedness, emergency weather alerts, and how public safety changes ripple into real trips, you’ll want this one. Subscribe, share it with a camping buddy, and leave a review with your go-to weather backup plan.
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CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
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A stranger walks up holding an old canoe book and says, “You signed this to my dad 35 years ago.” Minutes later, Kevin Callan signs it again for the next generation and the whole Hamilton Adventure Expo suddenly feels like a small world. That’s where our livestream chat begins, and it sets the tone for a conversation about how canoe camping stories stick, how outdoor skills get passed along, and why community is the real reason these shows matter.

We dig into Kevin’s idea of “ultimate canoe routes” and why he opens his talk by saying the best trip is the next one. Then we get specific: Algonquin’s Brent Run, a loop around Killarney, Lake Superior’s Bustard Islands, Kejimkujik in Nova Scotia, and even Scotland’s River Spey. If you’re looking for canoe route inspiration, paddling trip planning ideas, or just a reminder that repeat trips can still feel brand new, this one delivers.

We also go behind the scenes on outdoor writing and Canadian publishing. Kevin shares what it’s like to hit 20 books, how rewarding it is when kids show up already excited about what they learned, and how printing and shipping across the Canada US border can turn sales into losses overnight. We talk honest numbers on royalties, why self-publishing can make sense, and the simple advice that matters most: write the book first.

If you enjoy real talk about paddling, camping, and making a life around the outdoors, subscribe, share this with a friend who loves canoe trips, and leave a review so more Canadian campers can find the show.
https://kevincallan.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/KCHappyCamper
https://www.facebook.com/kevin.callan.311/
https://www.instagram.com/kchappycamper/
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
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A carbon fibre canoe paddle can sound like something meant for elite racers, but Chris from Ripple FX Paddles makes a convincing case that the right design is actually about making paddling simpler, smoother, and less punishing on your body. We’re live at the Hamilton Adventure Expo as he shares what it’s like to bring a new gear business into the real world, talk face-to-face with trippers, and watch people’s reactions when they pick up an eight-ounce paddle for the first time. 

We get into the story behind Ripple FX, starting with an intense Muskoka River race that turned discomfort into obsession, friendships, and a desire to go faster and farther. When Chris’s first carbon paddle arrived broken, he used it as a blueprint and taught himself composite building through trial, error, and relentless iteration. Along the way, he learned how bent shaft ergonomics can keep your top hand lower, reduce shoulder strain, and support sit-and-switch efficiency for long-distance canoe tripping and marathon-style paddling. 

Durability also gets a deep dive, especially for shallow-water routes where bottom strikes can chip blades and lead to delamination. Chris explains a replaceable fiberglass wear sleeve that can be epoxied on, worn down, and swapped out later, plus the kinds of strength tests he runs in the shop and the few things you simply shouldn’t do with a lightweight composite paddle. If you care about canoe camping gear, backcountry performance, and smart design that’s easy to live with, you’ll get a lot from this conversation. Subscribe, share the episode with a paddling buddy, and leave a review. What’s the one piece of canoe gear you’d never head out without?
www.ripplefxpaddles.com
https://www.instagram.com/ripplefxpaddles/
https://www.facebook.com/ripplefxpaddles
https://www.youtube.com/@ripplefxpaddles
https://www.hamiltonadventureexpo.com/
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
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Your meals can make or break a camping trip and most problems start before you even leave the driveway. We walk through the no-drama way we plan and prep food so we can spend more time hiking, paddling, swimming, and hanging out with the kids, and less time digging through a soggy cooler. Tim shares his old-school grid method for mapping breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks by day, plus how that single sheet of paper prevents overpacking, forgotten ingredients, and last-minute “what’s for dinner” stress.

We get practical about the difference between car camping and backcountry camping meals, including how long fresh food can realistically last and how to stretch it with smarter ingredients like smoked meats, smoked cheese, tortillas, and hardy produce. We also dig into cooler strategy: layering food by day, choosing a quality cooler, using a dedicated drinks cooler, and why block ice outlasts cubes. If you want a lightweight hack for backcountry trips, we explain how freezing water bags can keep food cold early on and then get dumped as they melt to reduce pack weight.

From foil-packet dinners and make-ahead chili to pancake mix shortcuts, trail snacks, and classic campfire desserts, we keep the focus on simple camping recipes that match your cooking gear and your weather. If you like practical camping tips, meal prep tricks, and real-world advice for family camping, subscribe, share this with a camping buddy, and leave a review so more people can find the show.
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
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A long haul trip can hand you the best view of your life, then toss you onto an overnight bus that makes you question every choice you’ve ever made. We sit down with Toronto author and Fly Travel Radio host Melissa Rodway to talk about the kind of travel stories that don’t fit on a postcard: chaos in Southeast Asia, the strange kindness of strangers, and the moments that turn into the memories you keep for decades.

We also get practical. Melissa shares how she builds meaningful adventure into a regular working life, including taking time off without pretending you need to “quit everything” to travel. We dig into budget travel strategies like self guided planning, finding local operators, house sitting, and volunteering, plus how the internet makes research easier while still requiring smart screening. If you’ve ever searched for affordable travel tips, solo travel confidence, or how to plan a trip without feeling like an imposter, you’ll feel seen here.

Closer to home, we celebrate Canada as a top tier outdoor travel destination, from Ontario canoe country to the culture and winter energy of Québec City and the pull of PEI. Along the way, Melissa challenges influencer perfection and the myth that experienced travellers always have it together. We love this conversation because it’s human, funny, and grounded, and it’ll leave you with a clearer sense of what adventure can look like at any age.

Subscribe for more camping and travel conversations, share this with a friend who needs a nudge to get outside, and leave a review to help more Canadians find the show.
https://flyrodway.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/fly-travel-radio-with-melissa-rodway/id1435744884
https://www.instagram.com/fly_travel_media/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn-CjX6LEiiXHTiTxjlgMTQ
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
Support the show