Happy caNEW Year!!!

Thank you to all of our family, friends, customers, followers, and fans for such a wonderful season. We wish you all much peace, prosperity, and good health, in 2012... and beyond!

Happy caNEW Year everybody!!!

Algonquin Paddlesports Assembly - What you missed!

Algonquin PaddleSports Assembly
SEPTEMBER 23 - 25, 2011

Did you miss the Algonquin Paddlesports Assembly this year?!! That's too bad. No, seriously, that's really too bad!


Because that means you missed out on all of the great seminars and demonstrations with some of the industry's leading experts like... boat designers David Yost or Bill Swift. And paddling icons such as Mark Scriver and Charlie Wilson, including Swift's own Brian Duplante and Skip Taylor... along with Mike Ramsay (of Badger® Paddles, of course!), as well as the knowledgeable John Gall (Johnny's Boat Shop: Canoe & Kayak Repair Centre) and even Brian Smith (of Hobie Kayaks) too. Not to mention some really great deals on new & used boats plus other great outdoor gear.


From learning to SUP to boat repair and from canoeing freestyle to paddle maintenance, this assembly had it all. And for those of you who were unfortunate enough to miss this great opportunity, we have uploaded a copy of our Wood Paddle Maintenance & Storage Handout that will available to download for a limited time! Click here to download our Canoe Paddle/Gunwale Maintenance & Storage Handout now.

Click on this text link to download the handout now.
automatic download - 257 KB PDF file

So what did you really miss at the ALGONQUIN PADDLESPORTS ASSEMBLY?

World renowned paddlers Mark Scriver (SUP) and
Charlie Wilson (Freestyle - yellow canoe) take to the water for their clinics.

Here is the schedule of events from the weekend....

SATURDAY CLINICS AND DEMOS

• 9:00 am Intro to Rowing Demonstration Bill Swift – Waterfront A
• 10:00 am Design & Construction Presentation David Yost /Bill Swift – Swift Boat Yard
• 11:00 am Boat Maintenance, Storage & Repair John Gall – Clinic Area A
• 11:00 am Intro to Kayak Demonstration Brian Duplante – Waterfront A
• Noon Intro to Stand up Paddle Boards Demonstration Mark Scriver – Waterfront A
• 1:00 pm Tandem Canoe Boat Control Demonstration Skip Taylor /Charlie Wilson 
• 2:00 pm Canoe Paddle Making, Selection & Maintenance Mike Ramsay, Badger Paddles – Clinic Area A
• 2:00 pm Hobie Pedal Drive Kayak Demonstration Brian Smith, Hobie Kayaks 
• 3:00 pm Kayak Paddle Selection Marc Scriver – Clinic Area A
• 3:00 pm Solo Canoe Choices Demonstration Skip Taylor - Waterfront A
• 4:00 pm Freestyle Canoeing Demonstration Skip Taylor - Canadian Solo & Charlie Wilson - Freestyle Solo & Freestyle Tandem

SUNDAY CLINICS AND DEMOS

• 9:00 - 10:30 am Learn to Row Bill Swift – Cost $30.00 On Water Clinic
• 10:00 - 11:30 am Learn to Kayak Skip Taylor - Free On Water Clinic
• 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Freestyle Canoeing Clinic Charlie Wilson - Cost $30.00 On Water Clinic
• ~ ALL DAY ~ Learn to Pedal Drive a Kayak Brian Smith - FREE On Water Clinic
• ~ ALL DAY ~ Learn to Stand Up Paddle Board Mark Scriver - FREE On Water Clinic

Sorry we can't say more but what happens at the Algonquin PaddleSports Assembly, stays at the Algonquin PaddleSports Assembly. So don't forget to keep your eye out for next year's Assembly... 'cause you know you won't want to miss it again!

A special thanks to our hosts, Algonquin Outfitters and Swift Canoe & Kayak, for reviving this event... and for having BADGER® Paddles there. Such a beautiful location and great people to assemble and celebrate the power of self propulsion with. Mike says he had such a great time, already he can't wait until next year!

Happy Halloween from Badger Paddles!

Here at Badger Canoe Paddles, we really dig Halloween and the traditions around this very old celebration - like carving Jack-o-lanterns out of pumpkins!
Find out about the history of the Jack-o-lantern here or click here for some great pumpkin stencils for you to use when carving your own pumpkin.

And when you are done carving those Jack-o-lanterns be sure to stop by Swift Canoe & Kayak this Halloween weekend to check out their great End of Season Clearance Sale and take advantage of the Badger Paddles' Free Gift with Purchase offer:   Buy a Badger Paddle and get a free Badger Paw necklace carved from real deer or moose antler (suggested retail value $20.00).  Don't forget this offer is only good while supplies last!


Click here for more information about this limited time special offer or see in store for details - Swift Canoe - Gravenhurst Location.

Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone!!!

Canoe Paddle Maintenance Tips - Oil or Varnish

Every day brings us closer to snow and frozen waterways which also brings our paddling season to an official close. Although there is still open water at the moment, the days have become too cold, for most of us, to get out on the water. Putting our gear away for the season and our end-of-season equipment maintenance is usually done around this time of year for all, except the hard-core paddler. So when packing away your tents and canoes for the season - don’t overlook your paddles! Keeping that in mind, we are offering the following End-of-season and other Badger Canoe Paddle Care Tips for our customers.

Care of your Badger Canoe Paddle(s)

Hand-Rubbed Oiled Paddles**

The amount of maintenance that an oiled paddle needs depends on the amount of use it gets in a season. For instance, a paddle that is to be used daily or up to 4 days/week, we recommend oiling your paddle every few weeks or as needed. For paddles used only on the weekends or less, Badger Paddles recommends you re-oil your paddle every one to 2 months or as needed. Even if your oiled paddle is only used once in a year, we recommend you oil your paddle at the begining and end of every season at minimum, or as needed. You may use a fine marine tung oil product like Behr or boiled linseed oil. For more tips on oiling your Badger Paddle, please visit our maintenance page.

Hand-Rubbed Varnished Blades & Varnished Blades**

To truly keep your paddle in it’s best condition, a varnished paddle should be checked for any “scars” from use at the end of every season. “Scars” include nicks or heavy scratches or other abrasions in the varnish finish. “Scars” can be caused by coming into contact with rocks or other hard surfaces while in use or at play. These “scars” should be sanded out first (if possible) and the entire varnished surface be given a light sanding with a fine sand paper. This helps the new coat of marine-grade varnish that now must be applied to have better surface adhesion.

You may only want to "feather-out" the scar by sanding lightly.  Not only will this be easier but it will allow a natural patina to acquire on your paddle.  These scars may even hold memories for you.  In the case of really deep scars, you may need to fill with a coloured wood filler, sanding level before finishing with a good quality marine grade varnish.  

Before varnishing, wipe clean with a soft cloth or a tack rag to remove any surface dust. If you are only varnishing the blade of your paddle - use painters tape to give a clean edge-line to your finish. Using a brush made of natural fibre or sponge, brush on the varnish according to the manufacturers directions. Hang to dry in a dust free environment.


For a full look at varnishing a paddle, watch our video "How To Varnish A Wood Canoe Paddle (At Home)".

Please note all our varnished blades come with an oiled shaft and grip, except for WaterColours. We do offer a fully varnished paddle as a special order. For tips on how to maintain your oiled shafts and grip, please refer to the Oiled Paddles section above.

Storage of your Badger Paddle(s)

Because Badger Paddles are solid wood canoe paddles, it is best to hang them from their grip(s) or lay them down. This is especially true for long term storage, for if a solid wood paddle is left leaning for too long a period - it may warp.

-------------------------------------------------------

Tweet

Don’t want to do the maintenance? We can do it for you as we also offer paddle refinishing. Contact us at info@badgerpaddles.com for more details.

**Caution: Always work in a well ventilated area when using any of the products needed to maintain your Badger Paddles. Also note the products used to maintain your paddles are flammable and subject to spontaneous combustion. All rags, especially those used to oil paddles, must be spread out to dry completely before disposing of for safety purposes.