Badger at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show!

Thanks to our host, Swift Canoe & Kayak, Badger Canoe Paddles will be available at the 2010 Outdoor Adventure Show in Toronto this coming February 26th to 28th.  Scroll down for an official printable Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show 2 for 1 coupon...

Click on the map of the Show Floor Plan below to enlarge the image for viewing.

The Outdoor Adventure Show, offering an incredible showcase for outdoor adventure and travel enthusiasts, is one of the biggest consumer shows of it's kind in the country.  This year's show once again includes features like; canoe and kayak demonstrations; an interactive 30' x 50' heated demo pool (located next to the Swift Canoe & Kayak booth); The Great Ontario Outdoor Adventure Theatre; and more!

This incredible show takes place at the Toronto International Centre (Hall 5) and runs from Friday to Sunday.

Show Hours are: 
Friday, February 26, 2010, 12 Noon - 9pm 
Saturday, February 27, 2010, 10am - 6pm

Sunday, February 28, 2010, 10am - 5pm

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $12

Youths 12 - 17: $10

Children 11 & under are free

Bring a Friend to the Show for FREE!

Click on and print the coupon image below.  This official Outdoor Adventure Show Coupon is courtesy of our friends at Swift Canoe & Kayak.  Thank you Swift!

Contact The Outdoor Adventure Show at 905-477-2677 or 1-800-891-4859 for more show information or visit their website: www.outdooradventureshow.ca.   The International Centre is located at 6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga.  See the google map below...

View Larger Map

Be sure to stop by Swift booths #840 and #833 to see Badger Canoe Paddles, and don't forget PARKING IS FREE (with over 5,000 on-site parking spaces available to the public).

See you there!

Congrats to the CGIT's - 95 Years!

For the past 95 years, the Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT's) have been running a program developed for young girls up to the age of 17.  The girls and their leaders participate in activities that interest the girls while in keeping with the "four elements" of the CGIT purpose:

CHERISH HEALTH

SEEK TRUTH

KNOW GOD

SERVE OTHERS

According to their website:

"In 1915, girls didn't go to the mall, play Nintendo™, or watch television. They didn't wear jeans and t-shirts and they didn't download music from the internet. But that doesn't mean they didn't have fun. Like you, they enjoyed getting together with friends, doing crafts, playing games, and learning together. This is the common thread that runs throughout CGIT's history -- the desire to get together, learn, and have fun."

And - this time a small group of young CGIT girls (pictured above), who meet regularly at their local church in rural Ontario, chose to make little Badger Paddles for their craft!


When Susan, one of the CGIT leaders, sent us the pictures we were stunned by the fantastic artistry the girls showed.  Each paddle was unique and each paddle was absolutely beautiful! 


The girls worked diligently on this project over several meetings, first patiently sanding and shaping the little paddles and then designing and painting them.  "Each night the first thing they asked me was if they could work on the paddles.  They really enjoyed them."  Susan, one of the CGIT group leaders, later reported.

Pictured above with their paddles (from left to right) are:  Emilee, Emily, Katelyn, Madison, Channelle, Ivy, Courtney, Jessica, Kaitlyn, and Olivia

Susan (see photo with the girls below), a very vibrant lady in her eighties, has been dedicated to the girls thru the CGIT program for many years.  

Susan has been a passionate canoeist her whole life and has spent many days with a paddle in hand, herself.  Susan is also the grandmother of Fiona (owner of Badger Paddles) and brought the girls the little paddles blanks* thinking they would all enjoy the craft together.  Fae, another fantastic lady, and CGIT leader, also devotes her time to this great organization and the girls.  Fae can be seen posing with the girls and their little paddles in the picture below.

Interestingly enough, although the girls could have painted anything they would have liked, many chose to do a little Badger Paddles Paw Logo.  The logo is a pretty hard design to reproduce but the talent and focus of the girls resulted in amazing illustrations and colourfully creative spins on the "Badger Paw".  Some even painted theirs with a scene or more!  The results were spectacular and speak for themselves.  Awesome job ladies!!!


Badger Paddles would like to thank Susan, Fae, and the girls; Emilee, Emily, Katelyn, Madison, Channelle, Ivy, Courtney, Jessica, Kaitlyn, and Olivia, for their great pictures. We hope you will cherish the memories of making your little paddle with your friends as much as we are grateful you shared your lives with us in this small way.  We truly enjoyed the photos and all your fantastic paddle art!  Ideally you will all get a chance to get out on the water or enjoy nature's splendors this summer.  We are also hopeful that your important organization will last for many more generations to come.  Congrats to the all the CGIT's on their 95th year anniversary in 2010 and all the best in continuing to bring girls together in the spirit of friendship and community across this great land of ours.


For more information about the Canadian Girls In Training program in your area or to join, please visit their website at www.cgit.ca.


*Badger Paddles makes little paddle blanks for kids'n camps.  Contact us for details.

Toronto Boat Show Booth Pictures

We have been posting these photos on our Facebook Fan Page but we thought it would be nice to share them with those who aren't on the popular social network.  The following pictures were taken with Mike's Blackberry (cell phone camera) and aren't the best of quality but we just think it's awesome to get some action shots while the 2010 Toronto Boat Show (TBS) is actually going on!

Setting up the booth space.

The booth looks amazing!

The Swift Crew - the evening before the TBS opening.

Dan explains the quality features of a Badger Canoe Paddle to some TBS show-goers.

People just can't stop feeling our  canoe paddles.  It's a tactile experience!

Two happy TBS show-goers pose for Mike's cell phone camera.  Thanks for the really great picture ladies!

This little "cub" puts a Cub WaterColour to the test.  Kids really gravitate towards our colourful paddles!

After careful consideration, the decision is made.  Green is definitely out and Pink is in - for this little lady!

While this little guy decides the green Cub WaterColour is his perfect choice!

These photos were all shot within proximity of or in the Swift Canoe & Kayak Booth.  Sure looks like fun doesn't it?!!

Go check it out...

The show doesn't end until January 17th!

Come see Badger Paddles at the Toronto Boat Show

If you are in the G.T.A. this week - be sure to stop by the Toronto Boat Show*.  Badger Paddles will be represented at the Swift Canoe & Kayak booth by Mike as well as the very knowledgeable Swift Staff.  Swift has some great deals on canoes, kayaks and of course - Badger Paddles - lined up for you boating enthusiasts.... a great time to get a great price!

Besides a great line-up of boats, Badger Watercolours and even some paddles with custom hand-painted graphics will be available - each paddle a completely one-of-a-kind piece of art.  Lots of beautiful cherry paddles too.  Also available are many with our hand-rubbed varnished blades - a highly demanded paddle finish so be sure to get there early in the week to ensure the best selection!


A grand tradition - the boat show is sure to please you and your family during this cold winter weather and take you into the world of boating again.  Visit the Swift website or call their store (1-800-661-1429) for more information or click here to visit the TBS website for ticket information.


*The TBS runs from January 9 - 17, 2010 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto.

For those who dig the Olympics!!!

As most of you are aware, the Olympic Torch has been passing through Canadian towns and cities during the Canadian Olympic Torch Relay.  On Dec 30th, 2009, thanks to Stacey Collins Torch Bearer #114, Badger Paddles got to be indirectly part of Canada's Olympic pride.

Stacey was selected by the Royal Bank of Canada as one of the 2010 Olympic torchbearers and took hold of the Olympic flame on Dec. 30 and ran part of its route through North Bay, Ontario.

Bursting with Canadian pride (and her beautiful smile), Stacey stopped off at Swift Canoe & Kayak later to share her awe-inspiring experience.  "It really was AMAZING to be part of the 2010 torch run.  To hold up that flame knowing that it is a piece of history and the future all at the same time is very humbling." Stacey reflected to Swift staff, Bobbo (see picture of Bobbo with Stacey & the torch).   Stacey and her family are an outdoorsy family, have expressed a love for canoeing, kayaking and "just being outside enjoying all that Canadian nature has to offer".  To read more about Stacey's thoughts on her Olympic experience read her interview in the Fort Frances Times Online.


Interestingly enough, as the article points out, by the time the torch arrives back on the West Coast for the lighting of the Olympic cauldron to mark the beginning of the 2010 Winter Games, the flame will have traveled 45,000 km across the country; visited more than 1,000 communities; and been carried by 12,000 torchbearers.


For more information about the Olympics and the Torch Relay, visit www.vancouver2010.com or Follow the torch here at CTV!!!


Thank you, Stacey, for sharing the Olympic Torch & your amazing experience with Swift and Badger!!!