Badger Your Friends Contest Winners

When we checked the number of "Likes" on our Facebook page just before midnight last night, we couldn't help but dig what we saw. We made it to 1000 "Likes" just in time for the close of the contest!


Thanks to all the Badgers who spread the word about Badger® Paddles - and helped to bring even more paddling Badgers to our sett on Facebook. 1000 Badgers! Now that has got to be the largest "Badger Clan" ever!!!


However, while you all deserve to get your paws on some prizes, we could only pick 5 randomly chosen winners. And they are:

First Prize Winner: Melanie Buckle

Second Prize Winner: Ray McCullough

Third Prize Winner:  Gayle Bellemare 

Fourth Prize Winner: Jason Funk 

Fifth Prize Winner: Nathan Miller

All winners have now been contacted by email. Once again, thanks to everyone for their amazing participation in our contest. And for letting us badger you about it!!!

For those Badgers who did not win this time around, thanks for your efforts and remember....who knows what the next Badger® Contest will bring!?!

Thanks to our contest sponsors: Algonquin Outfitters,
Hap Wilson, and Jerry Vandiver
Full prize descriptions for each winner can be found below.

NOTE:
First Prize Winner will receive:
One Badger Canoe Paddle and Badger Paddle Sock (value $135 or less). Plus one Opeongo Day Fishing/Paddling Trip complete with Water Taxi (value $85 CAD or less). (prize pack value: $225 CAD or less) Plus one Algonquin Outfitters sticker and one Badger Paddles sticker. 



Second Prize Winner will receive:
Hap Wilson’s newly re-published Temagami - A Wilderness Paradise book - signed by the author. Plus one Badger Paddle Sock (prize pack value: $50 CAD or less). Plus one Algonquin Outfitters sticker and one Badger Paddles sticker.


Third Prize Winner will receive:
A signed by the artist copy of Jerry Vandiver’s paddle songs CD titled: True and Deep - Songs for the Heart of the Paddler, and one Badger “Profits of Paddling” T-shirt (prize pack value: $40 CAD or less) Plus one Algonquin Outfitters sticker and one Badger Paddles sticker.


Fourth Prize Winner will receive:
One Badger “Profits of Paddling” T-shirt. Plus one Algonquin Outfitters sticker and one Badger Paddles sticker. (prize pack value: $35 CAD or less).


Fifth Prize Winner will receive:
One Badger Paddle Sock. Plus one Algonquin Outfitters sticker and one Badger Paddles sticker (prize pack value: $25 CAD or less).

Thanks again to everyone who entered!


And a special Badger thank you to all of our contest sponsors including, Algonquin Outfitters, amazing artist, author and trail blazer - Hap Wilson, and the ever talented Jerry Vandiver. We are sure that our contest would not have been near as much fun with out you. We dig you all very VERY much! 

Badger® Your Friends Contest

Since starting our Badger® Paddles... for those who dig the water page on Facebook, it's following has steadily grown. And we want to celebrate that growth with all of you "BADGERS" with a Badger® contest! Help us get over a 1000 "Likes" (we are at just over 700 presently) for your chance to win. The contest rules are simple - all you have to do is suggest our page (on Facebook) to your paddling friends (so they become "BADGERS" too!) and then email us the number of friends you suggested should "Like" our page in the subject line or body of an email. That's it! Full details and prize package descriptions can be found on our website here: Badger® Your Friends Contest.

EMAIL YOUR ENTRY TO: badgercontests@me.com

An example entry could look like this:
____________________________________________

From: Your Name Here [mailto: your email address here]
Sent: Tuesday, February 29, 2012 8:55 PM
To: badgercontests@me.com
Subject: Badger Your Friends Contest

I told 22 friends to like Badger Paddles.

____________________________________________

So just tell your paddling friends to "Like" us on Facebook for your chance to win - just don't forget you have to like us too!

We have some great prizes to give away too. Like a Badger® Paddle - value $130 or less - (with an included Badger® Paddle Sock), an Opeongo Day Fishing/Paddling Package from Algonquin Outfitters - value $85 ---- or choose Badger® gear if you can't make it to Algonquin. Plus we are giving away a copy of the newly re-published Hap Wilson's Temagami canoeing, kayaking and hiking guide book: "Temagami - A Wilderness Paradise". And it's signed by the author too, with a little drawing included to boot! Plus a signed CD of Paddle Songs by the very talented and celebrated Jerry Vandiver, plus Algonquin Outfitter stickers, Badger® T-shirts and more!

Jerry Vandiver's CD is full of songs for paddlers and campers alike.
A signed copy of his CD will be one of the great prizes available.
Fiona's favourite is "Under The Same Sky" What's yours?

Signed by the author, Hap Wilson also included a cute
sketch of a Badger® Paddle too.

Our "Profits of Paddling" T-shirt will also be a prize.

Another great prize from Algonquin Outfitters:
Departing from the store at the South end of Lake Opeongo,
a short water taxi ride will bring you to some of
Lake Opeongo's choice fishing holes. The Water Taxi will
return at a predetermined time to pick you back
up and return you to the base after a day of reeling in the big ones.
Click here for a full package description.

We will pick 5 random winners from our emailed entries when we reach 1000 "Likes" (after March 30, 2012*) or on April 30, 2012   - which ever comes first (see our website for full contest details and dates).

For a full list of Badger Your Friends Contest prize packs plus contest rules, visit our website. (www.paddlesock.com/socks/Badger_Your_Friends_Contest.html)

Good luck getting some of those prizes into your paws!!!

* Note: Draw will not be held before March 30, 2012 regardless of meeting our “Likes” goal (or not) due to the logistics of collecting of the “signed copies” of some sponsored items for this contest. If we do not meet our goal of 1000 “Likes” for our page on Facebook as of April 29, 2012, then winners will be chosen on (or around) April 30, 2012 and announced shortly there after.

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.

The Fat Paddler's 2011 Grab Life By The Shaft Tour - Algonquin Park Edition

As I walked with the canoe planted on my shoulders towards the water, I could hear Sean's excited declaration "It's so Canadian!". Sean was about to really paddle a Canadian lake for the first time*. It would also be his first taste of Algonquin. And he was more then ready for it.

The Fat Paddler's 2011 Grab Life By The Shaft Tour

- Algonquin Park Edition -

A Trip Report by Fiona Westner-Ramsay

"Thinking of a brief side-trip into Canada again"
When the email came thru from author and paddler, Sean Smith (a.k.a. The Fat Paddler), that he was thinking of coming to Canada again, this time with hopes to do some paddling while experiencing a much warmer season, it was hard to contain my excitement. His last attempt to paddle in Lake Ontario was during one of the coldest of our months (January) and, although it was beyond freezing, the very tough & hefty Auzzie did live to tell the tale. But this was the end of our summer season this time, and The Fat Paddler was about to be in for a real Canadian paddling treat!

He was picked up by my mom (a.k.a. Gramma Badger) at the Husky station in Bradford (on Saturday morning) and finally arrived around noon to be whisked away in the Badger® Paddles truck for a tour that included a stop at Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville... and the very Canadian(??) Pizza Pizza franchise for a quick lunch.

"Can't take you to Algonquin without a trip to the Outfitters"
When we finally arrived at AO, Sean was delighted by the store and all it contained. Of course, he was able to sniff out the paddle section just like he can sniff out those sausages, and was soon drooling over the many paddles in the Algonquin Outfitters' racks.

Service with a smile:
Randy from AO -
Huntsville sports his
new Fat Paddler hat!

With Sean about to take on the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic again this October (111 km paddle thru-out the night, people!!) he was keen on getting a bent-shaft wide bladed paddle that was made from timber. He really liked the warmth and feel of timber over some of the other materials he was using and was wishing for the perfect paddle for this monster marathon. So it wasn't long before his eyes landed on a Whiskey Jack bent shaft paddle. But not just any Whiskey Jack. This particular paddle was laminated with some pieces of uniquely burled redwood. It was absolutely stunning!

When Randy offered Sean a deal he couldn't refuse (there are so many great sales going on at AO right now you wouldn't believe it!! Seriously, you gotta check it out!) Sean had to take the paddle home with him. Even though there was a distributor for Whiskey Jack in Australia, Sean knew he wouldn't come across a special paddle, as perfect for it's Hawkesbury purpose as it was beautiful, and so this one had to be his. So you can imagine how eager he was to put it to the test as soon as possible! (Check out FatPaddler's website for pictures and more details ... I don't want to ruin it for Sean... he'll want to show you all, himself!!!)

So we threw a Badger Paddle Sock on the paddle to protect his new (and beautiful) purchase and made our way to Algonquin Park. But first we had to make a stop at Swift Canoe at Oxtongue (just outside the Park) to pick up a canoe. Sean was not only lucky enough to be experiencing clear sunny skies, but he was also fortunate enough to meet Bill Swift, the owner and founder of Swift Canoe & Kayak.  Bill took some time with us and showed us some of the new Barracuda cloth samples (there was a turquoise that was to die for!) while we looked around at the canoes.  Then Beth, from Algonquin Outfitters, gave Sean a tour of the facilities which included a glimpse of the tripping/guiding gear rooms.

Upon arrival at the sunny Rock Lake Access Point.

Eventually, we picked up a Keewaydin and tied it down on the racks of the Badger® Paddles' truck. We were both hoping for a Swift Winisk but the boys were busy with lots of customers so Sean & I took what we could get and got on the road. There was a lake waiting to be explored, after all!

Blue Lake & Rocky Shore
When we arrived at the Rock Lake put in, we were both ready for a little paddling adventure. We packed the paddles (lots of 'em!), a safety kit, some drinking water, put on our PFD's and hit the water. Between the fresh air and the sunshine, Sean soon settled in as best as he could while I prattled on in the bow. But Sean, ever the gentleman, politely matched my conversation while he tried to take in all he could of his picturesque surroundings.

Enjoying the beauty of Rock Lake, Algonquin Park.

As Sean tested his new Whiskey Jack paddle, he also tried out a Badger® or two as well, as we paddled along. I used my Butternut Tripper for the entire trip as I always enjoy it's weightless feel. However, I was a bit disappointed when, as we made our way across the lake, I realized that we had yet to be lucky and spot any wildlife. As we crossed the second bay we were greeted by some ducks and a couple of loons. We also spotted a small heron as well, on the river to the take out, but no beavers or moose. There was a chipmunk later in the day, but it was so small & fast that Sean could barely spot it before it scurried away. At least we didn't see any bears! (However there is a black dog at the Wolf's Den that, at a quick glance and with the right Canadian accent warning of it's approach, could easily be mistaken for a Black Bear.... right Sean?!!) *giggle*

Unfortunately I started to feel a bit queazy around this time and suggested we head back, trying to steer the canoe in the straightest and therefore quickest route possible back to the take out. I had yet to share how bad I was feeling with Sean but he had a good sense of humour about being steered from the bow and voiced no objections... but perhaps there was a bit of laughter on his part... but only once, okay... maybe twice! But that had more to do with my "oversteering" then anything else! *giggle* What can I say... I was woozy!

The Beaver Cabin at the
Wolf's Den Hostel & Retreat

The Beaver (Cabin, that is!)
Once we arrived back at the truck, we were on our way to the Wolf's Den. Sean grabbed a quick nap en route, crink-ing his neck a bit in the process (poor guy!). When we arrived at the Beaver Cabin/Wolf's Den, Mike was there to meet us. His big truck was empty of the canoes and without the large trailer that he had been pulling all day (doing the canoe transfers for the big Petawawa Ironman Challenge this week), but Mike was full of excitement to see his Australian friend again.

It didn't take long for the steaks to be cooked on the BBQ and the Canada Dry Ginger Ale (special ordered by the Fat Paddler) to be mixed with a little bit of rum and a lime or two... to "keep the scurvy away".

After some great conversation, lots of laughs, and even some guitar playing by Sean (who was awesome by the way...  make our ears bleed, indeed! Pish Posh!!!), we eventually retired for the evening. Sean took the bunk beds (what are the chances he chose the top bunk, anyone?!!) and Mike and I took the bedroom with the queen sized bed.  We were all quick to fall asleep as Sean was completely jet-lagged, Mike was exhausted from a week of canoe transfers, and I was now under the full influence of some sort of cough or virus.

These two trucks and trailers are carrying 94 canoes!
(And that was just one transfer of many this past week for Mike.)

Change of *cough* Plans *cough cough*
The morning came soon enough with Mike on his way out the door before the sun was up. Sean and I slept in past nine and made haste to get our things packed and on our way before checkout time. Unfortunately, we had to change our plans for the day as I didn't have the energy to paddle to Ragged Falls as we wanted due to the way I was feeling. Instead, we headed to Buck Lake (our local lake) and Sean paddled around cottage country in Poppa Badger's kayak , while I feel asleep in the sun. But not before a quick stop at a local tourist trap for a short shopping trip... 'cause that's just tradition, right?!!

The only bear that Sean encountered on his first
trip to Algonquin Park, Canada.
Note the complete lack of fear in his eyes.

In the end, we wished Sean could have stayed longer, and in my foggy muddy mind (I was really feeling the cold/cough by this time) I know I failed in my hostess duties that day. But Sean was the perfect guest and road-trip companion. Never a complaint or frown. And before I knew it, with a quick hug and a gentlemanly kiss on my cheek, Sean was off with Gramma Badger to find his next adventure with Alan Drummond, the crew of LearnToKayakdotCA, ... and beyond.

Roll the Credits
I would like to thank Jim of H20 Paddles for dropping Sean at the Husky for pick up on Saturday as well as the staff at Algonquin Outfitters (especially Randy, Lynn, Beth and Gord) and the boys at Swift Canoe (Bill and Brian) for making Sean feel so welcome on his first ever visit to Algonquin. That goes for Ben (and the visitors) at the Wolf's Den too!

Also, a great big fat THANK YOU to my mom (a.k.a. Gramma Badger) who graciously stepped up to help out with not only watching Makobe but with watching over Sean, as well. We couldn't have done this awesome tour of Algonquin & area without your support and talent for driving! *wink* I hope you enjoy Sean's book... I know you have it with you somewhere on Opeongo (Algonquin Park) right now!

Plus a big thanks to Rebecca (Grace and Ella too) for sharing Sean with us for a few extra days with a side-trip to Canada. But the biggest thanks is to the Fat Paddler, himself, Mister Sean P. Smith.... your friendship is something that I will cherish forever, as well as the memories of your visit. Please know the pleasure was all mine but I do hope you enjoyed Algonquin as much as we all do. Mike and I both also hope your remaining travels are enjoyable, fruitful, and that you arrive safely back into the arms of your family at your tour's end.

So What's The Fat Paddler Really Like?
To those of you who wonder what Sean is really like: Well... what can I say, really, other then read the book... and just know that you would love him if you ever meet him.  And never doubt, regardless of the adversity Sean has faced, that this is a man who truly knows how to grab life by the shaft!!! Paddle on, Fat Paddler! Paddle on!

Oh, and be sure to check out The Fat Paddler's page on Facebook for a FREE ENTRY CODE to the Algonquin Outfitters' Live Your Own Adventure Contest (over $10,000 worth of prizes to be won - including a Swift Canoe, Badger Paddles, a kayak, some hiking boots, a mountain bike and so... so much more!).  Click here for your free Fat Paddler code now! Plus head on over to the Badger® Paddles website for another FREE ENTRY CODE here: Live Your Adventure Contest Code via Badger® Paddles. What a great way to celebrate The Fat Paddler's Algonquin adventure and North American Tour - Thanks Algonquin Outfitters!!!

*Sean's (The Fat Paddler) first attempt to paddle a [near frozen] Canadian Lake can be found here: http://fatpaddler.com/2011/01/canoe-paddling-in-toronto-with-badger-paddles/ with Mike's (Badger® Paddles) account to be found here: http://badger-canoe-paddles.blogspot.com/2011/02/fatpaddler-in-toronto-trip-report.html

To Badger Or Not To Badger: That Is The Question

Do you know the meaning and origin of the term "to badger"?

image source: justanimalpic.com

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, the word is broken down like so:

badger |ˈbajər|
noun1 a heavily built omnivorous nocturnal mammal of the weasel family, typically having a gray and blackcoat. • Several genera and species in the family Mustelidae, in particular the Eurasian Meles meles, which has a white head with two black stripes, and the North American Taxidea taxus, with a white stripe on the head.
2 ( Badger) informal a native of Wisconsin.verb [ trans. ]ask (someone) repeatedly and annoyingly for something; pester : journalists badgered him about the deals |Tom had finally badgered her into going | [ trans. ] his daughter was always badgering him to let her join.ORIGIN early 16th cent.: perhaps from badge , with reference to its distinctive head markings. The verb sense (late 18th cent.) originates from the formerly popular sport of badger baiting.

Thus the term "badgering"is known as pestering and bothering.  But - these traits are not from the animal itself, but rather from the early sport of Badger Baiting whereas hunters would send dogs to harass badgers for entertainment and for blood sport.  Similar to dog fighting, badger baiting was forced combat between the badger and a succession of hounds.  Badger baiting, now thankfully illegal, would typically end with the death of the badger and most likely major injury to the dogs.


So it seems the origin of the verb sense of the word "badger", descending from the formerly popular sport of badger baiting (late 18th century*), and "badgering" actually describes human behaviour towards the badger and not the actual animal's behaviour towards us humans.  Interestingly the term "badgering", thru this retired sport, became a popular term still used widely today - and it's meaning isn't very positive!

But we love when fans "badger" us with questions and comments on our Facebook page, Twitter or by email.  In fact, we love it so much that we are going to giveaway a Badger® Natural Edge Solid Cherry Cutting Board (with a 250 ml tin of our Badger® Wood Oil) to one lucky (some-what) random winner from our Facebook or Twitter followers. And, with the help of Poppa Badger, we will be picking the winner from all of the people who have engaged with us via our Facebook page and Twitter over the months of August & September! Which means the winner will have their natural edge cutting board and oil just in time for the Fall Harvest! UPDATE: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!! WINNER IS LAUREN BELL FROM ONTARIO, CANADA.

Win this Natural Edge Cutting Board plus a 250 ml tin of our Badger® Wood Oil
MSRP $50.00* CAD - Carrot not included!
 (Note: prize may not be exactly as shown)
*shipping and/or taxes not included

UPDATE: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!! WINNER IS LAUREN BELL FROM ONTARIO, CANADA. So what do you do to win? Just "like", "comment" or "tag" us (or even yourself in any one of our images) via our Facebook Page and/or mention @BadgerPaddles in a Tweet over the months of August & September and we will pick one lucky person (on October 1, 2011) to win a Badger® Natural Edge Solid Cherry Cutting Board (with a 250 ml tin of our Badger® Wood Oil) Retail Value: $50.00. Mention and "badger" us as much as you want - there is no limit! And remember, we will be picking the winner out of those who are the most engaging and creative - and we are looking for quality over quantity.  So become a fan of Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water on Facebook today (or follow Fiona on Twitter) and start 'badgering' us for your chance to win!  Contest closes September 30, 2011 at Midnight (E.S.T.). Can you dig it?


Click here to learn more about our NEW Badger® Rustics series of natural edge paddle racks and cutting boards.


*"ORIGIN The verb sense (late 18th cent.) originates from the formerly popular sport of badger baiting." ~ New Oxford American Dictionary

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Quick Contest Rules:
No purchase necessary. Prize(s) will be mailed via Canada Post with postage/shipping costs being covered - up to $20.00 CAD - if the cost of shipping (for example) outside of North America is greater then $20.00 CAD then the extra cost of shipping over and above the $20.00 CAD (to be covered by Badger®) will be paid for by the winner. If the winner does not wish to pay the extra costs incurred by shipping and declines the prize, then another winner will be chosen. Odds of winning are based on number of entries received and our judges' opinion. Prize(s) include one Natural Edge Cherry Cutting Board by Badger® plus one 250 ml tin of Badger® Wood Oil - MSRP of $50.00 CAD value (taxes and shipping extra). Winner will be chosen based on quality of comments, likes and tweet replies. All decisions are final. Contest closes September 30, 2011 midnight (EST) with the winner to be announced shortly there after. Winners may have to answer a skill testing question before receiving their prize. Contest void where prohibited. For full contest rules or details, please email us.

Badger Results - Mystery T-Shirt Contest

When Algonquin Outfitters presented us with the bright red T-Shirt and we saw the humourous phrase screened onto the shirt- we just knew we were going to have some fun! And so we did.

Badger's Contest Recap:

We started by inviting participants to guess what the funny phrase was - 'cause we weren't telling! The first 10 people to guess and email us the correct phrase were to be entered into a draw for the T-shirt, Algonquin Park Canada Ceramic Travel Cup, and a Badger Paddle Sock too.

With just a few hints, the contest was underway!

CONTESTANTS HAD TO FILL IN THE BLANKS:

_ _ _ _ _ _     _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _    _ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _    _ _    _ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _ 

And there was an image clue to start as well:

Contest Image Clue #1

The only other clues were the mention of the words "NATURAL PADDLER" by way of question:

Then there was another image clue given:

Image Clue #2

Plus there were a couple of missing letters added:

By this time the entries were coming in fast!

As a special surprise, our first correct entrant received a lil' Badger WaterColours Paddle KEYCHAIN. Christine (Chris) J. of Ontario took this honour and decided on a blue one!

lil' Badger Paddles KEYCHAINS
Ash WaterColours shown.
These little paddles are HAND PAINTED!!!

It wasn't long before all 10 finalists had their CORRECT answers in with the final list being:

1. Christine J.

2. Liz S.

3. Frank D.

4. David C.

5. Jimmy B.

6. Wilbur W.

7. Karen M.

8. Laura O.

9. Mike O.

10. Bev E.

And the winner (selected by random) is:

Liz S.

Congrats Liz! Liz has won the following SWAG from Algonquin Outfitters and Badger Paddles: One (1) Red T-Shirt; one (1) Algonquin Park Canada Ceramic Travel Cup; and one (1) Badger Paddle Sock. Prizes as shown below:

Liz S. is the lucky winner of this SWAG!!!

But it doesn't end there! As another surprise, we also randomly selected 5 more winners (from all who participated beyond just our list of 10 finalists). Eligible were all those who "answered" the question "Are you a NATURAL paddler?". Chosen by random,  the winners of a Mini Badger SWAG kit (which includes the following: One (1) lil' Badger Paddle KEYCHAIN - Hand Painted (Cherry) plus one (1) AO Sticker and one (1) Badger Paddle Sticker) are:

Bev E.

Jimmy B.

Karen M.

Joey R.

Frank R.

Bonus Random Drawing
for a mini Badger SWAG kit:
(a lil' Cherry Badger Paddle KEYCHAIN*,
an AO STICKER, and a Badger Paddles STICKER)
*Hand-painted, may not be exactly as shown

So there you have it, the winners and the mysterious winning phrase:

PADDLE NAKED

ADD SOME COLOUR TO YOUR CHEEKS

Thanks to Algonquin Outfitters for supplying us with such fun and as always for their great generosity! Make sure to check out AO's other great contests and prizes - right now they are giving away a canoe trip into Algonquin via their Wildlife Photo Contest and more! (Plus Badger Paddles has added a small prize for "Badger's Best" photo!!) And be sure to stop into Algonquin Outfitters locations (in Huntsville and Oxtongue) this season and check out Algonquin Outfitters' one-of-a-kind Badger Cub WaterColour "Splash" Canoe Paddles for kids. Perfect for the cottage or campsite - these rainbow effect paddles will be sure to get your kids 'n cubs excited about paddling this summer!!!

Badger Paddles Contest - For Natural Paddlers

So.... Algonquin Outfitters gave us this red T-shirt* to giveaway and it's a pretty funny one!!! Do you consider yourself a "natural" when it comes to paddling? Be the first to guess the HUMOUROUS phrase on this paddling T-shirt and you can actually win it, plus win a Badger Paddle Sock and a few extra goodies from Algonquin Outfitters too!

Prize package valued at over $75 CAD

GUESS THE PHRASE AND

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

_ _ _ _ _ _     _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _    _ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _    _ _    _ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Have you guessed yet?

Here is another clue: 

Picture Clue #1

SEE MORE CLUES:
BADGER'S CLUE #2

How to enter:

Guess and Tag to Win Some Swag!

Just Guess:

Figure out what the possible fun phrase on the prize t-shirt is by filling in the blanks:

 _ _ _ _ _ _     _ _ _ _ _ 

_ _ _    _ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _    _ _    _ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Email your guess to Badger Contests. Note: the above phrase does use the Canadian spelling of a word - but that's all we are going to say! 

And Tag:

Answer our question: "Do you consider yourself a 'natural' when it comes to paddling?" by tagging yourself in the appropriate "Answer Photo" in our Facebook album here: Badger on Facebook 

Now, remember - don't post your answer on Facebook - we don't want to give the answer away! Just email your best guess to us. When we have 10 finalists - the first 10 correct submissions via email -  the winner will be selected by random draw.

Don't worry if you can't figure it out yet. Just keep checking back with us because we will be adding image and/or letter clues every few days until we have a winner.  Plus check out our sponsor Algonquin Outfitters and their fabulous Wild Life Photo Contest that is currently underway. Lots of great prizes to be won!

Contest Rules:

No purchase necessary. You must "like" the Badger Paddles on Facebook in order to interact with the photos for "tagging" purposes. There is only one (1) mystery t-shirt - size small* (apparently the staff at AO were hopeful to see this particular T-shirt on a lady only!), one (1) ceramic travel mug (with a Algonquin Park/Canadian flag motif) from Algonquin Outfitters, and one (1) Badger Paddle Sock to be won as our top prize. Other prizes may include stickers and/or other Badger merchandise. Prizes are approximately as shown. Yours must be the first of 10 correct answers (submitted via email to Badger Contests) to be a finalist and therefore be eligible to win the top prize. Our top prize winner will be selected randomly out of the 10 finalists. Upon entering this contest, you acknowledge that this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook and that winning this contest is not contingent upon you taking any action on the Facebook website/social utility.  Winners for the top prize will be determined by email entry only. All 10 finalists will be announced by their first name with the initial letter of their last name online.  Contest is open to persons over the age of 18. Only one (1) entry per email account will be accepted. In the event the contest sponsors are unable to notify the selected entrant within 14 days of the draw, that selected entry may will be disqualified and an alternate winner will be selected from among all remaining eligible entries. Only one prize will be awarded per contest winner, household, family, group or organization. The odds of becoming a finalist will be determined by the number of eligible entrants received by the contest and the timeliness of these entries. Once the 10 finalists are chosen, odds of winning will be approximately 1 in 10.
Upon entering this contest, via the methods proposed or otherwise, you have released Badger Paddles from any and all liability and/or damages resulting from your participation in this contest. This contest is open to all entrants where legal and in accordance with Facebook's contest policies and Canadian law.  

The contest sponsors accept no liability for errors on material distributed for this program.  

All entries successfully submitted become the property of Badger Paddles, who assumes no responsibility for incomplete, lost, late, damaged, illegible or misdirected entries or email, nor for technical, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connection, or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit a user's ability to participate. Badger Paddles reserves the right to cancel or suspend this contest should a virus, bug, computer problem, unauthorized human intervention or other cause beyond its control, corrupt the administration, security, fairness or proper play of the contest. 

By participating in this program, all participants and award winners agree that Badger Paddles, its partnerships, subsidiaries and affiliates and each of such entities' respective officers, directors, agents and employees are not responsible or liable for any injury, loss illness, litigation or damage that may occur from participation in the promotion or acceptance, possession, use or misuse of prizes. In the event that any dispute arises regarding the meaning or interpretation of these official rules, participants agree that the dispute shall be resolved by applying the laws of Ontario and that it shall be resolved by and within the course of that province. 

By entering this contest, entrants agree to be governed by these rules, and, if requested, agree to have their name and photograph used without compensation for advertising purposes related to this contest.  

Entrants also agree to receive communications via email or telephone from Badger Paddles as a condition of entry. Contact may be made to validate the entry.   

Entrants may withdraw their entry at any time. Requests to unsubscribe from the contest should be sent to Badger Paddles.