Paddle Making
​Workshops

Make your own hand carved Black Cherry paddle

Or want to gift a paddle course? 
Follow the Shop link. 
Scroll to the bottom. 
Choose either $203.40 (180.00 course plus HST)
or
​$50 deposit with balance due before the course.

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.
Greenland paddle course cost: $240.00 +tax (271.20)
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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.

Greenland paddles will be made with clear edge grain white spruce shafts and clear edge grain sassafras laminates. Light weight and strong. 
Weight approximately 2lb 2 oz.

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

Fall and Early Winter Workshops

Saturday, Feb 25 (full)
Sunday, March 12 (2 just opened March 9)
Saturday, March 25 (full)
Saturday, April 8 (full)
Sunday, April 23 (full)
Saturday, May 6 (full)
​Sunday, May 14 (6 open)
Saturday, May 27 ( full)
Sunday, June 11 (8 open)

No workshops planned for the summer season.
 

Cancelling and Re-booking
I do expect people to have to cancel and re-book when feeling ill or having other urgent matters. For other reasons, if you could make changes well in advance, that would be much appreciated.   I often can't find replacements on short notice and miss out on income.
​Much appreciated
​Bruce.

"Your teaching is so clear and easy to follow. Thank you!"
"We can tell you love to do this.. such an enjoyable day."
"This was fabulous! I'm going to tell all my friends and family."
"Your knowledge of paddle performance was so helpful."
"Enjoyed your - and everyone's -canoeing stories throughout the day too."
"Wow! I can't believe I made this. Thank you so much."

- PAST PARTICIPANTS' COMMENTS