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.

Badger's Who's Who of Devoted Paddlers Contest

Badger’s High-Water Marks Honour Roll 

A Who’s Who of Devoted Paddlers Contest

Do you love to paddle?  Do you love to paddle so much that you love to talk and write about it?  Then this contest is for you!!!  Just take our exam (see questions below or on our website) - email your information to us at badgercontests@me.com and that's it:  you are automatically entered!  And, don't worry - it's a take-home exam and all in good fun!

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE EXAM QUESTIONS NOW!

What could you win?  Our winner will receive one Badger Canoe Paddle of their choice (MSRP of $120.00* CAD or less) and one Badger Paddle Sock (MSRP $18.95* CAD) PLUS A $50.00 GIFT CARD from Algonquin Outfitters!!!  And, there are four (4) runner-up prizes available to be won of one (1) Badger Paddle Sock plus one (1) $10.00 GIFT CARD from Algonquin Outfitters for each selected runner-up winner.  Plus all winning Exams will be published online and given placement on Badger's High-Water Marks Honour Roll!  To visit Algonquin Outfitters on the web go to: www.algonquinoutfitters.com.

_________________________________________________

Badger's Who's Who

Take-home Exam Questions:

_________________________________________________

Real Name: First and Last (will not be published unless otherwise specified)

Entry Name: Name you wish to use if published (if same as real name - leave blank)

Approximate Age:         *

Country:    To be published                             

1. # of Years Paddling:  (an approximation is acceptable)
2. How many boats in your fleet? (If none - then what self-propelled craft do you dream of adding to your fleet)

1. Oil verses Varnish?  Do you have a preference?  Why?

1. Where do you paddle? (Name of Lake or River and/or Province/State/Territory and Country)

1. Are you, or have you ever been, part of the paddle sports industry professionally?
2. Do you have a blog, facebook or twitter account where you advocate for the power of self-propusion?  What is it? (link to your blog or website and it's title if public)
3. Favourite wood and paddle shape?
4. If you were a Badger WaterColours Paddle - what colour would you be?  Anything goes here!
5. Have you ever tipped your canoe  & how did that happen? (On purpose doesn't count!)
6. What is your favourite wilderness tripping meal/paddling snack?
7. Do you solo?
8. What’s the best advice you have to give to a beginner paddler?
9. What 3 words best describes the way you feel about paddling or that inspire you the most to get out on the water, year after year??
10. Where does your heart truly lie: Wooden/Canvas, Composite (i.e. Kevlar, Fibreglass etc.), Plastic or Aluminum?
11. Who took you out for your first time paddling and what was your age when your took your first adventure in a canoe/kayak?
12. Who was your best paddling partner or inspiration?
13. Do you know of or can you describe a canoe/paddling game?
14. How tall are you and what length of paddle do you prefer? 
15. Have you ever tried Stand Up Paddling? (SUP)
16. Do you have nicknames for your boat(s), paddle(s), and other gear?  If so - what are they?
17. 17.Do you know of or can you describe a canoe/paddling game?
18. 18.How tall are you and what length of paddle do you prefer? 
19. 19.Have you ever tried Stand Up Paddling? (SUP)
20. 20.Do you have nicknames for your boat(s), paddle(s), and other gear?  If so - what are they?

Note: Exams are due by NOVEMBER 30, 2010 (midnight EST).  Extra credit will be given to those who take the test publicly thru their blog or "Facebook Notes" or who include a picture with their entry.  Exams will be graded by 3 Badger Evaluators - Carmen B., of Swift Canoe & Kayak; Randy M., of Algonquin Outfitters; and Fiona, of Badger Paddles.

*Giving an exact number is fine, but you can also answer this in general terms such as "old enough to know better".

_________________________________________________

How to Enter:

This contest is for Bloggers and Facebookers alike.  To enter our contest to win a FREE Badger Paddle and/or Sock just answer the Badger's Who's Who Exam Questions (There are 20 in total) by blogging about it or, for Facebookers, write a note and tag Badger Paddles in it from your profile on Facebook.  Don't worry - if you don't have a facebook account or blog - just copy and paste the Badger's Who's Who Exam Questions into an email, add your own answers and mailing address, and send your entry in by November 30, 2010 to badgercontests@me.com.  Visit our website to see full contest details.

Entry Instructions for Bloggers:

Step 1) Copy and Paste our 20 Badger's Who's Who Exam Questions into a new "post".  Step 2) Add your and mailing address Step 3) Publish your blog to the web like usual.Step 4) Most importantly - send the link to your blog post directly to badgercontests@me.com to be automatically entered in our contest for free Badger Paddle and/or Badger Paddle Sock. Note: Extra credit will be given for creativity, including pictures, humour, and other entertaining ideas.

Entry Instructions for Facebook:

Step 1) Copy and Paste our 20 Badger's Who's Who Exam Questions into a "Note" thru the Facebook website and add your answers.  You can find a link to the "Notes" section by visiting your profile on Facebook and clicking on the "Notes" tab near the top (beside other tabs like Wall, Info,etc.) or start here: http://bit.ly/highwatermarks .  Step 2) Publish your "Note" and "TAG" Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water.  Note: if you are unable to tag Badger Paddles for any reason just publish your note and proceed to the next step. STEP 3) Send the link to your note and mailing address to 

badgercontests@me.com to be automatically entered in our contest. (Just copy the URL address from your browser's address bar and paste into an email or use Facebook's interface to share your Note's link with our fan page @ www.facebook.com/badger.paddles or Fiona's profile @ www.facebook.com/badger.canoe.paddles.  Please note that due to the irregularities of Facebook's service as of late, we would recommend you not rely on Facebook's tagging system to alert us of your entry in this contest - please email the link to your note directly to us to be sure.  Also note: Extra credit will be given for creativity, including pictures, humour, and other entertaining ideas.

Email Entry Instructions:

Step 1) Copy and Paste our 20 Badger's Who's Who Exam Questions into an email thru your email program or online email service like Google or Hotmail, etc. Step 2) Add your answers and mailing information.Step 3) Send your email with your answers and mailing address to badgercontests@me.com to be automatically entered in our contest for free Badger Paddle. Note: Extra credit will be given for creativity, including pictures, humour, and other entertaining ideas so be sure to attach some photos (4 MB maximum size) but no videos please.




For COMPLETE CONTEST RULES & DESCRIPTION please visit our website www.badgerpaddles.com.

Grady's Gift: Paddle for SickKids Hospital

People choose to paddle for a variety of reasons;  to escape from their stresses, to get some exercise, to be in the fresh air or close to nature. Others enjoy the serenity & quiet seclusion it can bring to their lives. To many it is a tradition and part of one's heritage. But on July 10, 2010, there couldn't be any better reason to go for a paddle then to remember a special little child named Grady and to help to raise money for Grady's Gift.

Grady was a little boy who was lost to his family in May of 2009 when he was only 6 months old.  Little Grady suffered from HLHS* (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome) - a rare heart defect that sadly took his life - but not before he touched the hearts of many.  And while Grady's family was truly grateful for all the wonderful SickKids staff and care, it wasn't until Grady was having his first operation that his parents Jen and Kevin, found they didn’t qualify for any of the programs the hospital has in effect to keep the parents of critically ill children near by in case of emergency.

Read more about Grady's precious life and his wonderful family on their website at www.gradysgift.ca.

Grady's family's vision for Grady’s Gift is two fold. They would like to improve the overnight rooms so parents can use them as a place to centre themselves, to regain the strength necessary to spend another day at the bedside and expand the parent overnight rooms so that more parents can be accommodated each night.

How Can Paddling Help?

On Saturday July 10th, 2010, all paddlers are invited to join Grady's Paddle for SickKids as we canoe or kayak from the town of Burk's Falls, ON, down the flat water of the Magnetawan River and across Lake Ceceebe, to the village of Magnetawan. The route is 32km - there will be a shorter paddle for those who are beginners or time constrained (don’t worry…we’re going with the current!) - and it passes through some beautiful scenery just north of Muskoka.

Grady's Run- Canoe and Kayak down the Magnetewan River

Saturday July 10th, 2010

You too can spend your day enjoying the scenery and wildlife while getting some great exercise for a good cause.  Just like Mike and Fiona of Badger Paddles!  Yes - we will be there!

The event will be supported on the water and along the shore, including free transport from the finish back to the start for paddlers as well as their watercraft. Canoe and kayak rentals are available from local outfitters (many at a deep discount) for those who don't have their own.

There will be food, entertainment and great prizes at the end of the route. The grand prize --a 14' Sanarac Sport Kayak made by Swift Canoe-- will be awarded to the participant who collects the most pledges over $1,000.  It will be a fun filled family day sponsored by local business with great prizes, great food and entertainment.  Some of the other prizes include a Badger Paddle (a Nomad) and more!  Click here for all the details: Grady's Gift - Fundraising Details

Paddlers are asked to register and collect pledges in support of SickKids Hospital Critical Care Unit. Grady's Paddle for SickKids is sanctioned by SickKids Foundation and tax receipts will be issued for donations over $20.


On a personal note:
In 2002, our family also found themselves at SickKids Hospital in Toronto due to the complications our son, Makobe, had suffered at birth.   We too were ineligible for parent accommodations but the hospital staff went above and beyond to make many things possible for our family while we stayed with our baby boy.  And, while it was touch and go for a while - we were lucky enough to come home as a family after a month in Toronto.... Grady's family wasn't so lucky.


Grady passed away in his mother's arms on May 11, 2009.   And while Grady will never be forgotten by his family.... Grady's Gift means he will never be forgotten by us.


Thank you to Grady's parents Jen & Kevin, his grandparents and grandmother Judy, and the rest of his family, for bringing Grady, and his Gift to SickKids, into our hearts and minds.   Your strength and dedication to Grady's memory & legacy is a true testament to the human spirit and we at Badger Paddles are grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a compassionate cause.

Grady's Run - Canoe and Kayak down the Magnetewan River

BE THERE!!!

Saturday July 10th, 2010

Grady’s Paddle for SickKids

c/o Judy Dibben, Co-ordinator

Box 104, Burks’s Falls, On. 

POA 1C0

If you would just like to donate:

Sick Kids Foundation - Re: Grady's Gift

www.sickkidsfoundation.com

By Phone: 1-800-661-1053 and refer to Grady's Gift

By Mail: 525 University Ave., 14th Floor, 

Toronto, ON. Canada. M5G 2L3

By Cheque: Made out to: 'The Sick Kids Foundation' — Re: Grady's Gift

On line: www.sickkidsfoundation.com

Refer to Grady's Gift in the field titled:

"please assign my gift to the following sick kids foundation fund" in the Survey Section.

For any other inquiries, please contact
Kevin or Jennifer at 905-516-6944

*Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome is a rare heart defect . The left side of the heart is smaller than the right, often so small that the heart can’t pump blood out to the rest of the body. Sick Kids is one of the few hospitals in the world able to give children born with HLHS a good chance at life. 20 years ago none of these children lived. Today as many as 70% become happy , active children. Click here for more.