Water Borne, Dan Rubinstein
Water Borne, Dan Rubinstein
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

Water Borne
A 1,200 -Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage

Author: Dan Rubinstein

Narrator: Mike Chamberlain

Unabridged: 11 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/10/2025


Synopsis

An unconventional SUP journey to discover how embracing blue space could improve our lives and our world.

In June 2023, writer Dan Rubinstein lashed camping gear to his stand-up paddle board and embarked on an improbable solo voyage from Ottawa to Montreal, New York City, Toronto, and back to Ottawa along the rivers, lakes, and canals of a landlocked region. Over 1,200 miles and ten weeks, he explored the healing potential of "blue space"—the aquatic equivalent of green space—and sought out others drawn to their local waters.

But the farther Rubinstein paddled, the more he realized that being in, on, or around water does more than boost our mental and physical health and prompt stewardship toward the natural world. He discovered that blue spaces are also a way to connect with the kaleidoscopic cross-section of people he met and the diverse geographies and communities he passed through.

Weaving together research, interviews, and an unmacho, malodorous, anticolonial adventure tale, Water Borne shows us that we don't need an epic journey to find solutions to so many modern challenges. Repair and renewal may be close at hand: just add water.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kim on July 14, 2025

Brought a massive pile of beach reads up to a cottage and at the last minute stuck one non-fiction on the pile. After paddleboarding for the first time, I was then inspired to dip into A 1,200 Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage! And I loved it! I kept reading snippets out loud to my companions on the do......more

Goodreads review by Lauren on August 04, 2025

Dan Rubinstein set off to SUP from Ottowa to NYC and back through the Erie Canal. His story of the nature he witnessed, the people he met, the history and geography of the towns he went through was all extremely interesting. You truly feel like you are on the journey with him. You are hot and hungry......more

Goodreads review by Mike on July 03, 2025

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy of Water Borne. I like this idea. I like Dan Rubinstein. But, this was only ok. It seemed as though he was trying to get many big ideas into us, all at once. Yes, water is healing for the mind. Yes, there is stewardship here. Yes, the intera......more

Goodreads review by Kelly on March 18, 2025

I really enjoyed this account of a journalist traveling the Hudson River (and presumably some other waterways) from Ottowa to New York City. Lots of interesting details about the environment, water rights, boating, and mental health (to name a few topics covered) but mainly a good journey story, whi......more

Goodreads review by Jack on October 10, 2025

Fantastic journey filled with wonderful commentary.......more