Into the Great Bear – Norm Hann’s Adventures on Canada’s Wild Coast

Into the Great Bear – Norm Hann’s Adventures on Canada’s Wild Coast

Author: Simon Hutchinson December 8, 2025 Duration: 1:53:37
SUPfm The International Stand Up Paddle Board Podcast
SportsFitnessHealthHealth & FitnessHobbiesLeisureWilderness

What happens when you trade a safe and secure teaching career, for a life on the wild side.

We sit down with Norm Hann, Canadian expedition paddler, guide, and educator — known for his work in the Great Bear Rainforest and for pioneering multi-day SUP expeditions on Canada’s wild coast.

Norm shares his remarkable transformation from a classroom teacher in Ontario to a wilderness guide and advocate for the Great Bear Rainforest. From being adopted into the Raven Clan in Hartley Bay to shaping the early days of stand-up paddleboarding, Norm’s story is about courage, connection, and following your calling.

In this episode, Norm shares:

  • How leaving a secure career opened the door to purpose and adventure
  • What makes the Great Bear Rainforest one of the planet’s most magical places
  • How his adoption into the Raven Clan shaped his identity and outlook
  • The origins of his pioneering SUP expeditions on Canada’s west coast

Watch the movie Stand for free here

** Pardon the audio gremlins in the first ten minutes of the episode! **

Connect with Norm Hann:

Website – https://www.normhann.com

Join Norm in the Maldives or on other expeditions here

Instagram – @normhann

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who’d love it!

Keep up with the SUPfm Podcast:

on Facebook: @SUPfmPodcast

on Instagram: @supfmpodcast

on YouTube : @supfmpodcast

AND subscribe to our newsletter here and get your FREE guide to the apps we recommend, to live your best SUP life

Build the lifetime knowledge you need to keep safe on the water

Our comprehensive online SUP Safety Course gives you the knowledge you need, to keep safe on the water and ALL FOR LESS than the price of an hours on-water tuition £37 £10

It's available here at https://supfm.thinkific.com/

See you on the water!

Mentioned in this episode:

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

FlowForce Paddles from Oscar Propulsion

Oscar Propulsion's innovative FlowForce Paddle, dramatically enhances paddling efficiency and reduces stress through the body. Join the revolution and elevate your paddling with FlowForce from Oscar Propulsion Sport

Visit the Oscar Propulsion Website

Starboard

We want to thank our lead sponsor Starboard for supporting this season of the SUPfm Podcast Whether you're a seasoned racer, an adventurous explorer, or a beginner, Starboard has the perfect board for you. Choose Starboard for unparalleled quality and performance across all levels of paddleboarding

Starboard Website


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

Official website RSS
instagram
SUPfm The International Stand Up Paddle Board Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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…
The Athlete Agenda - With April Zilg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:01
Season 5 kicks off with in-form US racer, April Zilg. April has competed at the highest level for a number of years, winning some of the world's biggest races and became APP world vice champion in 2019This season, April…

«12345678910»