A Canoe is a Canoe is a Canoe - Part Two

Not long ago we asked the question whether a Canoe was a Canoe (by any other name?), and posted about some various odd canoes and kayaks that have been designed, built and/or paddled. We soon found there are many examples of "canoes" and "kayaks" that weren't made for paddling... but are referred to as a canoe or kayak, all the same. In fact, when you come to think about it... canoes, kayaks, and canoe inspired items - can be found in many every day places.

Canoe Furniture
First, there are quite a few examples of canoe shaped furniture. From stacking your household treasures to putting your feet up - canoes have proven themselves to have many purposes. Even moving into quite a number of homes and cottages.

Canoe Book Shelf
photo source: www.giftedgarden.com

Canoe Coffee Table
photo source: www.giftedgarden.com

Canoe Couch
photo source: Nova Craft Canoe

Canoe Bed
photo source: www.renaissancebeds.com

Canoe Food
From Chocolate to cakes to sandwiches.... our taste buds seem to delight over the thought of an edible canoe.

Chocolate Canoes
photo source: www.charlinda.com

Big Dog in Canoe Cake
photo source: www.kategreencakes.com

Tofo Wrap and Squash Canoe
photo source: www.floridacoastalcooking.com

Canoe Games
Food and entertainment go together... so it only stands to reason that the canoe theme would eventually find it's way into our cottage games and past times.

Canoe Cribbage Game
photo source: www.wildwings.com

Canoe Domino Game Set
photo source: www.thefind.com

Repurposed Canoes

So what happens to that old canoe that no one ever paddles anymore or the old beater that is so unseaworthy it couldn't make it across a puddle of water? Some become flower beds, bookshelves, or in some cases - sidecars!

Canoe Garden Container
photo source: www.hometips.com

Canoe Cooler
photo source: www.cocoonhome.com

Canoe Side Car
photo source: www.royallman.on.ca

Canoe Accessories
From women's accessories to those for your home or christmas tree, the canoe shape has made it's way into the hearts and minds of the masses. From the purely fashion inspired....

Canoe eau de toilette
photo source: www.perfumezilla.com

Canoe Inspired Hat
photo source: http://annamariajunus.blogspot.com

Canoe Inspired Shoes
photo source: NotCouture-notcot.org

.... To the more obvious designs. From door knockers, signs and cabinet pulls; to fabrics, light fixtures and t-shirts; canoes can definitely be deemed a part of our (just about) everyday culture.

Canoe Fleece Fabric
photo source: http://fabric1.blogspot.com

Canoe Jewelry
photo source: www.spruce-mountain.com

Christmas Canoe Ornament
photo source: www.countryporch.com

Canoe Lamp
photo source: www.gifts.com

Ride in Canoes - No Water Needed

Because we love canoes so much, we bring them onto land for fun and entertainment. After all, who doesn't love a canoe ride where your mom doesn't make you put on your life jacket?!!

Canoe and Train at Mundo Divertido
photo source: www.themeparkreview.com

Canoe Car at a Burning Man Festival
photo source: www.cs.faculty.stanford.edu

Canoe Bike
photo source: www.amazingdata.com

Canoe Stuffies & Toys
Be it toy or dog bed, the canoe shape is one that is obviously in demand beyond it's normal use on water.

Dog Canoe Bed
photo source: www.kaboodle.com

Stuffed Canoe Toy
photo source: www.softstuffcreations.com

Buddy L Canoe & Jeep Combination - Toy
photo source: http://film.queensu.ca

Canoe As Art, Canoe As Life

And finally... and most popular.... is the canoe as a form of art. Now, we know our friend Mike Ormsby would argue that a canoe, especially a wooden canvas canoe, is an art form all on it's own. And normally, we would completely agree with him. But clearly, when you think about it, the canoe really has taken on a life in itself. It can be seen in our sculpture, our paintings, our every day items, and is still paddled around the world in it's various forms. It inspires us, it transforms us, it is an ancient gift, and still... it is always there with us... thru the ages. Can there really be any doubt that the canoe is a gift we celebrate?

Tom Thomson Statue
photo source: http://paddlemaking.blogspot.com

Canoe Sculpture
photosource: www.latimesmagazine.com

The Canoe by Tom Thompson - Painting.

So in answer to our question as to whether a canoe is a canoe is a canoe ... or not ... we would have to come to the conclusion that, in the end, it doesn't really matter. Because, quite frankly, most of us know a canoe when we see one!

Badger® Demo Paddles For Sale Autumn 2011

BadgerPaw - Photo credit: R. Parnis

It's that time of the year where many outdoor manufacturers and retailers sell off some of the old demo gear to make way for the new. And so that means it's also the time for YOU to save $$$.

If you are looking for a handcrafted Badger® Canoe Paddle (or two) to add to your collection, be sure to check out the following list for some of the paddles we have available for quick sale.

And if you see something you are interested in, be sure to contact us A.S.A.P. to ensure that get your paws on the paddle you are diggin' on!

How to purchase from this list:
Contact: Mike Ramsay Ph: 705-783-6016
Email: sales(@)badgerpaddles(dot)com

List of Demo Paddles & Blems*
Note: All prices are listed in Canadian Funds and do not include tax(es) or the cost of shipping (where applicable).


Demos (A Series - Like New)
57" Sliver, Cherry, Oiled - $100.00
60" Sliver(s), Cherry, Oiled - $100.00
57" BadgerPaw, Cherry, Oiled - $100.00

Demos (B Series - Used)
57" Tripper(s), Cherry, Oiled - $90.00
60" BadgerTail(s), Ash, Oiled - $85.00
60" BadgerPaw(s), Ash, Oiled - $85.00

Unfinished Blems (with identified issue)
60" BadgerPaw, Tulip (A-symetrical blade shape) - $70.00
60" Digger, Cherry (Thin grip) - $80.00
57" Tripper, Cherry (Filled in knot on blade) - $70.00
57" BadgerPaw, Cherry, (Varnish sanded off blade) - $80.00
57" BadgerPaw, Cherry, (Fill in on blade) - $65.00

Finished Blems (with identified issue)
63" Sliver, Cherry, Oiled, (A-symetrical blade shape) - $90
60" Tripper, Cherry, Combination Finish [oiled shaft/grip and varnished blade] (filled in knot hole on blade - under Badger® logo) - $90.00

Questions? Contact: Mike Ramsay Ph: 705-783-6016 or Email us: sales(@)badgerpaddles(dot)com. But don't forget to hurry - because at these end of season sale prices these paddles won't be available for long!

*Blem (or blemished paddles) refer to paddles with slight imperfections that do not affect the over-all usefulness of the paddle but may not be as strong as we would like. These paddles may or may not bear a BADGER® logo. For the record, we do not believe in blems based on aesthetic appeal otherwise known as cosmetic blemishes. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Wood has many features; very small knots or discolourations, and/or variations in grain that do not affect the overall strength of a properly maintained paddle, are not considered seconds. Whereas our blemished paddles (or seconds) refer to paddles that have slight imperfections that have been fixed or may affect the strength of the paddle. Paddles that are unfixable or deemed unusable are sold as paddles for paintings, wall hangers, and made into Badger Paddle Slice necklaces. Demos (or demonstration paddles) refer to paddles that have been used as sales samples (A Series) or have been lightly used (B Series) for demonstrations, in canoe photo shoots, etc.

MOpaddlers in MOvember Contest

Hey! It's MOvember again! And YOU CAN WIN some great prizes (and help to spread awareness for men's health), even if you can't grow a moustache!

Mike finally gives into the 'badgering' and allows us to take his picture.
Coming soon: Poppa Badger's photo.

For those who are not aware, this is the month of November (or MOvember as in MO for MOustache!) that marks the annual global awareness campaign for men's health (namely Prostate Cancer). It also helps to raise millions of dollars each year for the cause with almost 1/2 million participants who sported facial hair for the month of Movember just last year alone. That's alot of MO's!

We have always watched the month of Movember with interest. It is always fun to see how the mo's grow. But Poppa Badger has always sported a moustache and Mike usually has facial hair as well... especially as the colder months approach. But this year - after being contacted by participants Preston and Jim of Portageur.ca and H2O Paddles, respectively - Mike and Poppa Badger have decided to join in on the fun and grow a mo. But we aren't stopping there!

We have also joined with other paddlers and outdoor companies to show support for this important global initiative for men's health by providing various prizes for a number of draws over the month of MOvember.

Help Us Show That Paddlers Care:

All you have to do to enter this contest is simply retweet, like or comment on a post - or better yet post your own Mo pic to any one of the companies' (via Facebook or Twitter)- and you'll be automatically entered in to several draws throughout Movember for some great prizes from the participating companies including gear, gift certificates and more! 

Be sure to visit all the pages to participate and for best chances to win.

The Canadian Paddling Companies to visit on Facebook are:

Backcountry With The Kids

Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water.

Dog Paddling Adventures

H2O Performance Paddles

PARKBUS

Portageur.ca

Swift Canoe & Kayak

On Twitter:

@Swift_Canoe

@portageur_ca

@BadgerPaddles

@H2Opaddle

@parkbus

@backcountrykids

@dogpaddling

And, after entering this MOpaddlers Contest a few times, if you would like to donate to the Movember Campaign, please visit http://mobro.co/mopaddles. For full contest details please contact H2O Performance Paddles.