Badger® 2012 T-Shirts Now Available!

Badger Paddles T-shirts - $25.00 ea. CAD (**tax/shipping extra)
Limited Time Offer:
Buy one for only $20.00 ea. CAD** until March 31, 2012.

When we put up our "Profits of Paddling"infographic online, we were truly overwhelmed by it's positive reception. It was shared over 3000 times across Facebook alone (according to our Page's Administrator Facebook Analytical Statistics). That's a lot of shares! It even ended up on a number of blogs thru-out the paddling world. Many of you even requested we make it into a Badger® T-shirt - so we did!

We were pleasantly surprised when so many people liked this infographic.

And so the good news is:

Our Badger® T-shirts are now available for purchase.

Our MSRP is $25.00 CAD (shipping/taxes extra)

BUT...

Because our followers (you) on Twitter and Facebook were instrumental in getting this t-shirt design to print - we are announcing a limited time offer and will be selling them for the "Special Thank You Price" of only $20.00 ea. CAD (tax/shipping extra) in thanks to you all! But only until the end of March, 2012 - after that the price is back to $25.00 so don't miss out. (While supplies last - Special offer ends March 31, 2012.)

Sizes available: Small, Medium, Large, Extra-Large

Available colour: BLACK (with white print)

Contact Fiona by email to find out how to buy your "Profits of Paddling"shirt today. Plus don't forget to enter our Badger Your Friends Contest for your chance to win one of these very t-shirts, a Badger® Canoe Paddle, and much much more!!!

Note: The Badger Profits of Paddling T-shirts will also be available thru Algonquin Outfitters this Spring.

Valentine's Day for Paddling Sweet Hearts - Canoe & Kayak Valentines

In celebration of Valentine's Day this year, we have made some Valentine's Day images for you to share with your paddling sweet heart! Download or copy your favourite (from our website or this blog) and email, tweet, or share it with your special someone on Facebook via the Badger Paddles page. These paddling specific Valentine's Day digital cards are great for canoeists and kayakers alike - Happy Valentine's Day!❣

The Profits of Paddling: An Info Graphic

Many of us already realize the personal profits of paddling, but for those who are not aware, we have provided this handy illustration of the "facts". Please feel free to share this image with anyone you feel would dig it!

Update: Since posting this image, we have received lots and lots of positive feedback (not to mention almost 3000 shares just on Facebook alone!), however there is one question that seems to pop up, over and over again, that we would like to address here.

For those of you who are NOT in the know.... the centre thwart/yoke removal is based on a couple of - somewhat famous - quotes:

"A true Canadian is one who can make love in a canoe without tipping."

Pierre Berton

"Anyone can make love in a canoe,

it’s a Canadian who knows enough to take out the centre thwart!"

Philip Chester

And so now, you are all in the know!!! For those of you who might be interested, based on the popularity of this fun info graphic, we will be ordering up some t-shirts promptly!!!

_______________________________________

Note: a big thanks to the artist or team who created the Benefits of Bicycles infographic. When Fiona's friend shared this infograhic photo on his Facebook profile at the end of January this year, Fiona was immediately inspired to create one for paddlers. After all, any form of the power of self propulsion is to be celebrated!

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!

A Canoe is a Canoe is a Canoe

The other day, a friend made the comment to me that although there are some differences here and there in it's design, in the end, a canoe is a canoe. That got me to thinking about how different canoes and kayaks can really be - and would a canoe still be a canoe, by any other name?

We know about the traditional boat making methods and designs from history to modern times: From dugouts to birchbark to wood and canvas; from aluminum to fibreglass; then on to the various plastics and other modern materials such as Kevlar®, Carbon-Kevlar®; or even the stunning Barracuda® cloths of today. But what about making a canoe or kayak from the rind of a huge squash?!!

Take for instance the pumpkin. Not the usual material to make a boat from, right?! Well, tell that to the many who paddle giant pumpkins every year...

Or how about the coffin as a canoe? Sounds creepy, I know. But it's been done!

Apparently canoes are not always made to merely float, either. In 1947 Britain introduced the MSC, a Diving Canoe, built secretly for wartime attacks on ships in enemy harbours. Note: MSC was the acronym for Motorized Submersible Canoe.

But even when we want to see what's underneath, most of us want to stay on top of the water when we paddle. And so a perfectly transparent canoe will surely provide a much more comfortable experience then that submarine canoe, the MSC.

Then there are canoes and kayaks made from paper, cardboard, or even blue tarps, where the optimal load capacity - as well as over-all design and function - varies greatly. Probably best to stay away from the rocks in these boats!

These are all pretty weird canoes and kayaks, you will have to admit, but this one is my personal favourite.... it's an inflatable canoe... that doubles as a cloak. Yep... you read that right. It's a Cloak Boat, otherwise known as a Halkett Boat. According to Wikipedia: "Halkett's first design was a collapsible and inflatable boat made of rubber-impregnated cloth. When deflated, the hull of the boat could be worn as a cloak, the oar used as a walking stick, and the sail as an umbrella. This was followed by a two-man craft that was small enough to fit into a knapsack, and when deflated served as a waterproof blanket." For some reason, it failed to be a commercial success...

But at the end of the day, the weirdest (and probably worst) canoe there ever is to paddle... is one that is sinking! Hey! Somebody get this guy a bailer, would 'ya?!!

Do you have any images of a canoe/kayak as weird and wonderful as these?!! Send us your picture(s) and we just may post it here!

Image Sources:
diving canoe source: http://blog.modernmechanix.com/
coffin canoe source: http://richardtulloch.wordpress.com/
clear canoe source: http://surferjerry.com/
pumpkin canoe source: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
sinking canoe source: http://users.xplornet.com/~osprey/
Boat Cloak source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halkett_boat
tarp kayak source: http://www.shelter-systems.com/kayak.html
cardboard boat source: http://www.thecardboardboatbook.com/