A Paddle is Still a Paddle by Any Other Name

One of the more fun tasks we had when creating our line of Badger Canoe Paddles was naming the paddle blade shapes.


We've been asked: Why the "Nomad" or "Digger"? And what is the difference between a "BadgerTail" and a "BadgerPaw" anyway?


Badger's Blog digs up the answers to your queries...

Note: Images are not to scale

Nomad
We'll start with the Nomad.  The shape of this blade is based on traditional Voyageur style paddles with wide shoulders narrowing to a more tapered end.  Because, historically, Voyageurs lived a pretty nomadic lifestyle, and we were looking to honour their traditions and place in Canadian history, we named this paddle the "Nomad".

Digger
Next is the "Digger".  This is the widest blade shape we offer to paddlers.  It really pulls alot of water for super powerful strokes.  Badgers, the animal, are known to be extremely powerful diggers and so we called this paddle shape the "Digger" to symbolize it's powerful digging action when being used for the power of self-propulsion on the water.

Sliver
The Sliver on the otherhand is our thinest blade width.  It's very narrow. It's name is pretty self explanitory in that an actual sliver is a long and thin stick. The Sliver is a popular paddle for solo canoeists, especially those who like "Canadian Classic Style" where the canoe is leaned over when paddling.

Tripper
The Tripper is the second most narrow blade shape Badger Paddles currently offers.  It is a smaller version of the BadgerPaw in that it is more narrow and tapers more much like a traditional modified otter tail shape.  The BadgerPaw and the Tripper are in the same family of paddle shapes in that both are ottertail blade styles.  We called this paddle the Tripper as it is an all around use or versatile blade shape for canoe trippers.

BadgerTail
The BadgerTail and the BadgerPaw are two names that are easy to confuse except if you remember the following:  the BadgerTail is shaped more like the tail of an actual badger (the animal) or can be likened to a modified Beaver Tail paddle blade shape.  Where the BadgerPaw is shaped more like our Tripper - but a bigger blade surface.

BadgerPaw
This larger modified "otter tail" shape is designed with the very paw of the badger in mind. "American badgers are built to dig. They move dirt faster than any other mammal, including a person with a shovel! Strong shoulders, sturdy claws, and partial webbing between their front toes allow them to scoop soil out quickly."*  This larger blade with added surface area pulls lots more water... much like the paw of the badger animal... then it's sister the Tripper. The BadgerPaw is one of our most popular blade shapes.

And finally... the ever popular Cub!

The Cub is a pretty obvious one as well.  The "Cub" is a child's paddle and because a young badger animal is called a kit or a cub, we thought the name fit perfectly.  It was also the "Cub" that inspired the "WaterColours" series as shown.  Wanting to make paddling more fun for kids (and cubs too!) we began to tint the paddles with vibrant colours - every colour of the rainbow! Thus Cub WaterColours were born!!!


MORE ON WATERCOLOURS:
After the introduction of our Cub WaterColours, we began to offer our vibrant WaterColours finishes in adult sizes too as we found out there are many paddlers who are young at heart, and were soon demanded by boaters of all ages! They also have been proven to have a practical application for Paddling Instructors.  The vibrantly coloured blades are easier for students to see when the stroke is being performed by the Instructor's paddle underwater. Not to mention how easy it is to spot one in an emergency boating situation.  Our WaterColours come in lots of colours and can also be personalized (like Ella's above - Ella collects & loves elephants!).  The WaterColours for adults come in Ash only.


For more information about our paddles, please visit website at www.badgerpaddles.com/

*Source: www.switcheroozoo.com/profiles/badger.htm

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Badger in America with Swift & Mountainman!

Finally we Canadian Badgers are going to see our American Badger Cousins.


Thanks to Swift Canoe & Kayak, for the first time Badger Paddles are going to available in the USA in the state of New York!


Thru the Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company for one weekend only!*


Mountainman is New York's largest Canoe & Kayak dealer and they are going on the road to the Adirondack Sports & Fitness Summer Expo at the Saratoga Springs City Center... and, they are taking Swift with them.

And... Swift is taking Badger!

This is an event you don't want to miss with great pre-season deals on boats and a chance to check out the BadgerPaws and Slivers as well as a few Cub WaterColours.  Not to mention - the very new and very versatile Badger Paddle Sock will also be available!  It'll fit just about any canoe paddle - from a thin solo blade to a bent shaft style so try one on (your paddle) and see what you think!  (Will work for 2 pc kayak paddles too - just buy 2 and cinch them together.)

Make sure to look for Swift and Bill (see photo on right) at the show.  You can even tell him "Badger says Hi!" or "Fiona sent me".  Let us know what he does!


The Adirondack Sports & Fitness Summer Expo takes place April 24th and 25th (Saturday and Sunday).  If you are going to be in the area - be sure to stop in and enjoy this fantastic show!  We just know you will "dig" it!

*If there is enough interest for Badger at this show there is a better chance you will be seeing Badger available thru Mountainman in the future so don't wait to adopt a Badger into your paddling home!!!

Win a Free Badger Paddles Necklace!!!

Please Note:  This contest is NOW CLOSED.  Winners announced Feb 4, 2010 were Erin F. and Stacey C.  Thanks to all who entered and congratulations to the winners!!!


Enter our Badger Paddles Draw for your chance to win a free Badger Paddles "Paw" Necklace!

*How to Play and Enter:

Just look for the contest image (see image on left) located somewhere on our website to enter.  When you find the contest image - CLICK ON IT - and follow the instructions from there!  Note:  You many enter as many times as you wish to increase your odds of winning!  But you can only enter once per day and you can only win once as well. Don't forget - you must first visit our website and find the "hidden" contest image (as seen on left) to enter!

About the necklaces:

Made from shed deer or moose antler, these hand-carved pendants were made specially for Badger Paddles.  Each pendant is made from actual antler and comes with an adjustable black cord for hanging around the neck.  

MSRP $20.00. (plus shipping) or ONLY $15.00 FOR FANS of Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water on Facebook!!!!

There will only be 2 lucky winners -  so good luck to you and to all our fans!!!  

Not a fan???  Become a fan of Badger Paddles on Facebook and play for your chance to win today!!!

*This offer is an exclusive promotion for Facebook Fans of Badger Paddles only.  You must be a fan of Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water on Facebook, and 18  years of age or older, to qualify for your free merchandise.   Draw to be held on or about February 14, 2010.  Entries must be received no later then January 31, 2010, 12 pm EST to be eligible for the draw.  Chances of winning depend on number of entries received.  Find and click on the "contest image" -somewhere on our website - for more contest details.

The NEW 2010 BADGER CATALOG is here!

Download the new Badger Paddles Retail Catalog for 2010 in PDF format here.

Full of colourful pictures and information at a glance, this (2 MB) catalog is a great representation of Badger Paddles for this season and next. Some highlights include Cub Water Colours, featured web promotions, our unique hand-rubbed varnished blades and paddle refinishing.

You may print it if you wish but it is best viewed electronically. Download the Badger Paddles Retail Catalog 2010 here: (web address: http://files.me.com/myasmar/nyg9pc)

If you are having trouble downloading from the site, please email us at info@badgerpaddles.com and we will send you a copy.

And.... if you dig our catalog - be sure to share it with all of your paddling friends!

Thanks everyone for a great season... see you on the water!