Paddle Making
​Workshops

Make your own hand carved Black Cherry paddle

Bruce's years of teaching and canoeing experience, combined with a step-by-step process make for a relaxed, rewarding endeavour.
You choose the paddle size and style a few weeks prior and Bruce prepares the blanks by planing and reducing the bulk of the wood. The workshop consists of layout, rough carving, fine carving and sanding. Tools are provided. Some final sanding may have to be done at home. Instructions are given for applying finish over 10-14 days following workshop.

Workshop Details

Located in Fergus, Ontario
Time: 9AM-5PM
Cost: $180 + tax  ($203.40)
A $50 gift card in our Shop link serves as a course deposit for a date to be chosen later.

WOOD  AND PADDLE DESIGN

Black Cherry is used for the workshop as it has the best properties and is easiest to carve. No shaft laminations are offered as they are too involved. Traditional straight shaft paddles (without Bruce's trademark secondary grip) are carved in the workshop.

PARTICULARS

Class size is 8 and workshops are designed for ages 14+ due to the upper body strength required. Workshops are subject to sufficient registration and a participant loses their deposit if they cancel and we cannot fill their spot. If a workshop is full, enquire anyway and we will add you to a waitlist.
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PRIVATE WORKSHOPS

If you have 8 friends or family members who'd like to do a workshop together, contact Bruce to arrange a private workshop for your group. 

Upcoming Workshops

 Yes!!! We're back!
Please contact us by email to register.​
Saturday November 20 (5 openings)
​Saturday December 18 (5 openings)
Sunday January 2 (full)
Saturday January 15 (8 openings)
Saturday January 30 (8 openings)
Sunday February 13 (7 openings)
Saturday February 27 (8 openings)


We adhere to public health advice and currently use the following precautions:
physical distancing, sanitization of all tools, mask wearing required, no attendance for anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, recent exposure, or travel outside of Canada within 14 days of workshop without a current test.
*Since paddle making is a rather rigorous physical activity, I have decided to follow the guidelines laid out for vaccination by the Ontario government for fitness clubs.  I would ask that all participants in the late fall and winter workshops be double vaccinated.  Once spring arrives, I will have a workbench set up outside where I can accommodate those who choose to remain unvaccinated.
*I appreciate your understanding in this manner since I am auto-immune compromised myself and currently on prednisone.
With all workshops happening inside now, 4 people will work upstairs and 4 will work downstairs.  Everyone will be well spaced out.

"Do you have a testimonial from someone who's done a workshop? If so, let's put one here.”

- SOMEONE ONCE SAID