How to Read Water – With NY Times Bestselling Author and Ted Speaker, Tristan Gooley

How to Read Water – With NY Times Bestselling Author and Ted Speaker, Tristan Gooley

Author: Simon Hutchinson March 22, 2021 Duration: 42:28

Tristan Gooley, also known as the natural navigator is a Ted speaker and New York Times bestselling author of a number of outstanding books about how to read the natural world.

In this episode we talk about Tristan's book, 'How to Read Water' which is a must-have for any water user of any type and is particularly useful for paddleboarders.

The book can be used to interpret water signs in any area of the world and in this episode we cover some of the subjects covered by the book and Simon attempts to explain one of his key take-aways, which is how to tell the height of waves while standing on the beach.

How to Read Water was one of the books covered in our SUPfm Book Club Episode back in Season Two and it got such a great reaction from listeners that we had to have Tristan on the show.

Tristan's book 'How To Read Water' is available from Amazon, and all good booksellers everywhere.

There's more about the book on Tristan's website

To find out more about the thalweg and cats paws check out these explainers on his website

The way I first got into Tristan's books was learning about how to work out the points of the compass from looking at a tree, there's an explainer here

Tristan's new book is The Secret World of Weather

Follow Tristan (AKA The Natural navigator)

On Facebook:

On Instagram:

On Twitter:

Mentioned in this episode:

Coffee And Coast

Our sponsor for this episode is Coffee And Coast. The Dorset based coffee company has a range of delicious roasts available for individual order or on subscription so you never run out of a quality brew. Why not buy a subscription as the gift which keeps on giving!

Visit the Coffee And Coast Website

Paddle UK and ICF World Cup 2026

Book now to take part in 2026's most exciting racing event as the ICF World Cup hits the beautiful waters of Torbay between June 24th and 28th, combining with the PaddleUK Super Festival Book before the end of December 2025 for discounted entry

Paddle UK 2026 World Cup


Hosted by Simon Hutchinson, SUPfm The International Stand Up Paddle Board Podcast is a deep dive into the world of stand-up paddleboarding that goes far beyond basic tips. This isn't just about gear reviews; it's a global conversation for anyone who feels the pull of the water. Each episode connects you with voices from across the SUP community, unpacking everything from practical technique and fitness to the sheer joy of adventure and the unique challenges of disciplines like surfing and down-winding. The discussions are crafted to be genuinely useful, whether you're figuring out your first stroke or planning a multi-day expedition. You'll find honest talk about the issues paddlers face everywhere, all with the core aim of building confidence and stoke. The real mission here is simple: to give you the knowledge and inspiration to spend more time on your board and to continuously evolve your relationship with paddling. Tune in for a podcast that meets you at your skill level and pushes you toward the next horizon, transforming how you think about every session on the water.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

SUPfm  The International Stand Up Paddle Board Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The 100th Episode - With Simon and Guests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:54
This week as we celebrate our landmark episode we look back at some of the many guests who've appeared in the show and who helped us reach this incredible number.Thank you for the voice messages from April Zilg, Brendon…
To the End of the Severn - With Craig and James from SUP Shropshire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:16
The River Severn is the longest river in the UK and in this episode I speak to Craig and James from SUP Shropshire who recently descended the river over four days to raise money for two important charitiesCraig and James…
Extreme Endurance - With Bart De Zwart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:08
This week we feature the king of endurance paddling, Bart De ZwartBart's successes span multiple race wins for events like Yukon and 11 Cities alongside his exploration across Nepal, Zambia and Greenland as well as cross…
Indian Surfer Girl - With Tanvi Jagadish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:05
This week I speak to Tanvi Jagadish, the original Indian Surfer Girl, who is changing attitudes and expectations about girls spending time in the water across India, and in the process providing inspiration across the wo…
The Viking Journeys - With Casper Steinfath (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:40
Casper Steinfath is the Danish paddler who has brought Viking resilience , into his racing, his adventures and his crossingsWith 6 world titles and 2 successes in the legendary and intimidating Red Bull Heavy Water , Cas…
Cold Hawaii & Heavy Water - With Casper Steinfath (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
Casper Steinfath is the Danish paddler who has brought the Viking resilience he forged in the waters of Cold Hawaii, into the international racing sceneWith 6 world titles and 2 successes in the legendary and intimidatin…
Stand-up Paddle-boarding in Great Britain - With Jo Moseley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:42
This week we're joined by Jo Moseley, film-maker, speaker and now the author of her first book, Stand-up Paddleboarding in Great BritainThis book was a true collaborative project, with many of the UK paddleboard tribe in…
Blue Mind - With Dr Wallace J Nichols [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:43
I chat with author Dr Wallace 'J' Nichols ('J' to his friends), who wrote the international best selling book 'Blue Mind'. The book re-defines how we see water, by connecting all the benefits and the science for a life c…
The Nomadic Paddler - With David Haze [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:22
This episode features David Haze, the Nomadic Paddler. David, through his own actions ended up serving time for crimes he was fully responsible for. Having experienced the lows of prison he emerged with a determination t…