Paddle Making
Workshops
Workshops
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. |
|
WOOD AND PADDLE DESIGNBlack 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. |
PARTICULARSClass 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.
|
PRIVATE WORKSHOPSIf 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 2023
Due to illness in my family, I will be unable to offer paddle making courses fall 2023. I will post the Winter 2024 worhops in early November. Cancelling and Re-booking I do expect people to have to cancel and re-book when ill or having family emergencies. For other reasons, I need you to contact me 6 weeks in advance for a change of dates. I often can't find replacements on short notice. If you must cancel on short notice for reasons other than the above and I cannot find replacements, it will be necessary to keep the deposit in lieu of my lost income. Thank you for your understanding. In 2023, I will be keeping a waiting list which should be helpful too. |