A Paddle is Still a Paddle by Any Other Name

One of the more fun tasks we had when creating our line of Badger Canoe Paddles was naming the paddle blade shapes.


We've been asked: Why the "Nomad" or "Digger"? And what is the difference between a "BadgerTail" and a "BadgerPaw" anyway?


Badger's Blog digs up the answers to your queries...

Note: Images are not to scale

Nomad
We'll start with the Nomad.  The shape of this blade is based on traditional Voyageur style paddles with wide shoulders narrowing to a more tapered end.  Because, historically, Voyageurs lived a pretty nomadic lifestyle, and we were looking to honour their traditions and place in Canadian history, we named this paddle the "Nomad".

Digger
Next is the "Digger".  This is the widest blade shape we offer to paddlers.  It really pulls alot of water for super powerful strokes.  Badgers, the animal, are known to be extremely powerful diggers and so we called this paddle shape the "Digger" to symbolize it's powerful digging action when being used for the power of self-propulsion on the water.

Sliver
The Sliver on the otherhand is our thinest blade width.  It's very narrow. It's name is pretty self explanitory in that an actual sliver is a long and thin stick. The Sliver is a popular paddle for solo canoeists, especially those who like "Canadian Classic Style" where the canoe is leaned over when paddling.

Tripper
The Tripper is the second most narrow blade shape Badger Paddles currently offers.  It is a smaller version of the BadgerPaw in that it is more narrow and tapers more much like a traditional modified otter tail shape.  The BadgerPaw and the Tripper are in the same family of paddle shapes in that both are ottertail blade styles.  We called this paddle the Tripper as it is an all around use or versatile blade shape for canoe trippers.

BadgerTail
The BadgerTail and the BadgerPaw are two names that are easy to confuse except if you remember the following:  the BadgerTail is shaped more like the tail of an actual badger (the animal) or can be likened to a modified Beaver Tail paddle blade shape.  Where the BadgerPaw is shaped more like our Tripper - but a bigger blade surface.

BadgerPaw
This larger modified "otter tail" shape is designed with the very paw of the badger in mind. "American badgers are built to dig. They move dirt faster than any other mammal, including a person with a shovel! Strong shoulders, sturdy claws, and partial webbing between their front toes allow them to scoop soil out quickly."*  This larger blade with added surface area pulls lots more water... much like the paw of the badger animal... then it's sister the Tripper. The BadgerPaw is one of our most popular blade shapes.

And finally... the ever popular Cub!

The Cub is a pretty obvious one as well.  The "Cub" is a child's paddle and because a young badger animal is called a kit or a cub, we thought the name fit perfectly.  It was also the "Cub" that inspired the "WaterColours" series as shown.  Wanting to make paddling more fun for kids (and cubs too!) we began to tint the paddles with vibrant colours - every colour of the rainbow! Thus Cub WaterColours were born!!!


MORE ON WATERCOLOURS:
After the introduction of our Cub WaterColours, we began to offer our vibrant WaterColours finishes in adult sizes too as we found out there are many paddlers who are young at heart, and were soon demanded by boaters of all ages! They also have been proven to have a practical application for Paddling Instructors.  The vibrantly coloured blades are easier for students to see when the stroke is being performed by the Instructor's paddle underwater. Not to mention how easy it is to spot one in an emergency boating situation.  Our WaterColours come in lots of colours and can also be personalized (like Ella's above - Ella collects & loves elephants!).  The WaterColours for adults come in Ash only.


For more information about our paddles, please visit website at www.badgerpaddles.com/

*Source: www.switcheroozoo.com/profiles/badger.htm

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Is there really such a thing as a GREEN BADGER?

Yes - it's true... some Badger's can be green!  Not only have we gone green with our new 100% All Natural Badger Paddle & Gunnel/Gunwale Oil but starting in 2011 we will no longer be using plastic in the shipping of our adult canoe paddles.

That's right!  NO PLASTIC!

Instead, we are going to ship every adult canoe paddle, including those to all of our Dealers & Retail Partners, in it's own Badger Paddle Sock.


Because the Paddle Sock offers more protection then a thin plastic bag AND is a more environmentally friendly solution to be used for protecting a paddle during shipping and transporting*, it is now included when you buy a Badger canoe paddle!! Which means you will be able to re-use the versatile & protective paddle sock it was shipped in, again and again.


This definitely reduces our impact on the environment with all the thousands of plastic bags we will all be diverting from the land fills and waterways by adapting this method.**

And, you will still be able to purchase Badger Paddle Socks individually at the regular price of $18.95*.  Which is great news considering the Badger Paddle Sock stretches to fit most canoe paddles up to 65 inches and works for 2 piece kayak paddles too!

At Badger, we really try to take our social & environmental responsibilities seriously and are always looking for ways to keep it green.  After all... who doesn't "dig" the earth?!!

This picture was taken from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch website:
http://greatpacificgarbagepatch.info/
Visit the GPGP site for more information about this horrible mess.

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  *Does not include the cost of shipping or taxes where applicable.


**In the past, Badger would ship each canoe paddle in a clear plastic sleeve but was always finding ways to distribute them locally using blankets, and paddle socks of course (even our first sock proto-types are in use: which were 2 (or 3) old hockey socks sewn together with one end sewn shut). But this takes our attempts to be green to a whole new level as there is no plastic involved and our stretchable Badger Paddle Sock can be used by the customer for their other paddles as well.


*Cardboard boxes are used where appropriate.  We re-use and/or recycle all cardboard boxes/containers we receive where & when ever possible.

Badger Paddle & Gunnel Oil - NEW for 2011

As popular as varnish is, there is still a very large following of paddlers who prefer to oil their paddles.  Many like the idea of the oil penetrating deep into the wood, other's like the way it feels in their hand when in use and even report less blistering and that slippery feeling (that varnish has when wet) is greatly reduced.  While the oil maintenance issue is described by some as being easier - others find varnish to be less demanding of their time.  Badger believes in the superior qualities of an oil finish but still offer both oil and varnish finishes to our customers.

About Badger Oil:
Badger Paddles uses their own Oil Recipe, passed down from Great Grampa Sydney Badger.  Badger's standard oil is a mixture that contains some varnish properties, linseed, and other chemicals.  Not the most environmentally friendly concoction but it is a time-proven formula for protecting your paddles and other wooden surfaces.  For maintenance, we usually recommend a tung oil (e.g. Behr's Scandinavian Tung Oil or another "marine quality" product).  Again, not very environmentally friendly.  And for some, the fumes prove too harsh or they have concerns about the heath and environmental impacts of using harsh chemicals.  Well, not any more!

At Badger Paddles, we take our commitment to the environment very seriously.  We really "dig" the Earth!  That's why Badger is proud to announce that they will now be offering a choice of OIL FINISHES for your paddle(s).  While we still recommend Grampa Badger's Oil (our standard oil finish); we now offer a 100% ALL NATURAL Paddle & Gunnel Oil that is safe for the environment and your health!

Badger Paddle & Gunnel Oil - NEW for 2011 - is 100% All Natural Hemp Oil that has no harsh fumes and is even food safe.  That means you can use the oil on your paddles, canoe gunnels, wooden thwarts, etc., without worry the of harming the environment or the health & safety of your family or the lakes you paddle in.

Our new Badger Paddle & Gunnel Oil is not only food safe* but is easy clean up too - just use soap and water!  And, unlike our standard oil - our 100% All Natural Badger Paddle & Gunnel Oil will be available for purchase!

Badger Paddle & Gunnel Oil - 100% Natural (250 mL tin) is coming soon!  And if you choose the All Natural Oil Finish instead of Standard - it's still the same price!  Stay tuned to Badger for more information and launch dates.....


*You can even use it to maintain your wooden cutting & chopping boards/blocks.

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