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Welcome to my web page. Enjoy your look around. I describe my paddle's designs and structural nuts and bolts and also spout off a
lot about various paddling philosophies. Don't get too hung up on any of it. If it helps you understand where I'm coming from better- good enough. By
way of introduction, I have been paddling since 1965 and building and designing paddles since 1975. I apprenticed master paddlebuilder Keith Backlund that year and inadvertently took a vow of poverty. I
spent 19 years as a raft guide in the West Virginia area and was a pioneer steep creeker in these parts. I am also known for being a pioneer of the sport of squirt boating and remain a predominant
squirt boat designer-- but that's a whole 'nuther story. I've been designing boats since 1979 and have polished over 60 plugs in that time. I married Doris Berns in 1986 and my son, Nathan,
was born in 1989. My daughter, Amelia, was born in 1990. They're way cool.When you commission me to make you a paddle, you're getting a product handcrafted exclusively by myself and custom sized to
your specifications. I've dedicated my life to the enjoyment of this sport and I am passionate about putting the best implement of motivation in your hands. I want to help you bridge the gap-- to being a
full-on amphibian. I create adaptive appendages. Ultimately - the measure of a superior paddle can be seen as an accumulation of details. Higher dimensional quality, structural quality, finish
quality and, above all, aesthetics. My blade shapes are designed to give the best feel, strength, balance, and swing weight. If you're curious and have the time, check out my page on blade design
theory. It explains why I am an advocate of minimalistic shapes. Often people have a hard time conceptualizing how my blade shapes relate to others on the market or how my products can translate to their
needs. To help with that there's a chart which compares some common blade sizes to my shape's sizes and a page where I discuss design comparisons regarding my designs only. You can paddle a river with a
2"X4"- or your hands for that matter. Assessing a paddle is difficult because most of us have limited experience with a wide range of shapes and lengths. My customers come to me because they
want custom quality. If you consider your relationship with the river to be special- you should look into these units. They can make your best times even better. |
