Author Frank Bures joins us on the podcast to discuss his compelling new book, Pushing the River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories.

Frank shares riveting tales from a century of canoe racing, including the forgotten history of the Paul Bunyan Canoe Derby—a grueling 450-mile race on the Upper Mississippi that changed modern canoeing forever.

The conversation takes a personal turn as Frank recounts his own harrowing rescue on the Mississippi and other contemporary stories of adventure and survival, including the terrifying escape of two kayakers from the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire in the Boundary Waters.

Frank and host Dave Meier explore our essential connection to natural spaces and the urgent need to protect these environments in today’s political landscape, whether it be the Boundary Waters or the mighty Mississippi River.

Drawing from his background as a former trips director and camp naturalist at YMCA Camp Olson, as well as his experience supporting Guinness World Record paddling teams on the Mississippi, Frank offers unique insights into the transformative power of river journeys.

More Articles by Frank Bures

• Dead Cold – A Spring Paddle that Nearly Turned Fatal
• Cold Water Danger – A Lesson