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Gadling First Podcast: Eric Stiller (1-10-04)
Ladies and
gentlemen…our first
podcast.
This is something new that we'll be doing on a fairly regular basis from now on. In addition to discussions about what's happening in the world of engaged travel, we'll be talking to all sorts of folks, from explorers, travel writers and photographers, as well as travel bloggers everywhere. Suggestions are welcome.
So let me introduce the guest of the first gadling podcast:
Eric Stiller is a kayaker's kayaker. He's the author of the book Keep Australia on Your Left, an epic story of his effort, with buddy Tony Brown, to paddle around the continent of Australia. Yes, you heard that right. Australia. That's a bit like saying you're going to paddle around the United States.
The book was voted one of the ten best paddling yarns of all time by Canoe and Kayaker Magazine (it was voted #4). Eric also runs the Manhattan Kayak Company, the top kayak outfitter in New York City. As he says in the interview, kayaking is in his blood. His father, Dieter essentially introduced the Klepper kayak to the states. Stiller runs the Manhattan kayak Company in Manhattan.
There's a whole lot more to say about Stiller, but why not let him say it himself.
Listen to the podcast.
Host: Erik Olsen.
Format: 44 minutes, MP3
Jump to:
01:10- Discussion of father, first Klepper store in NYC
05:00- Working in Klepper shop with dad and kayaking in NYC
09:11- Klepper's decline to cheaper boats
13:50- Starting Manhattan Kayak Company
16:52- On the trip, David Lee Roth and paddling around Australia
22:54- Crossing the Gulf of Carpinteria, and the nasties: sharks, crocs, etc.
35:00- Writing the book…and help from Paul Theroux
40:01- More about the Manhattan Kayak Company and tours
Filed under: Paddling, Business, Festivals and Events, Blogs, Podcasts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Luke Dec 18th 2005 5:07PM
I enjoyed the talk with Eric Stiller though I am not sure if I could regularly find time to listen to a 40 minute podcast.
The story of how he went about writing and publishhing "Keep Australia on your Left" was particularly interesting to me as a blogger and amateur writer.
I have also bookmarked his site, Manhattan Kayak Company, as I love the idea of taking in a moonlit paddle on the Hudson river the next time I am in NYC on business. Its great to find things like that which one can easily do to 'engage' with a place even on the shortest (business) trip. For example, I paddle on the Thames here in central London most Tuesday nights with my club (Tower Hamlets Canoe Club) and its a great way to see a city from a unique viewpoint.
Erik Olsen Dec 18th 2005 5:07PM
Hey Luke, I agree with you. This was my first go at the podcast thing and I realize it ran a bit long. We'll be keeping them quite a bit shorter in the future. And there will be mopre in them than just interviews, so check back. And thanks for writing...and listening!
jason Dec 18th 2005 5:07PM
This is great Erik. I think 30 minutes is the right number for a podcast, and maybe two segments not just one long one.
You should interview some bloggers on their recent trips... like that scuba guy who had the photos with the great whites--i'd love to hear what that was like!
Great start!
John Loomis Dec 18th 2005 5:07PM
Interesting fellow. Thanks.