Collection: Badger Paddles

Badger Paddles creates made-to-order premium solid wood canoe paddles located in Muskoka, Ontario. A family cottage-industry business, Badger is owned and operated by partners Mike and Fiona, a husband and wife team. Badger makes canoe paddles from Cherry, Sassafras and sometimes Ash, Walnut and other specialty woods.

The name “Badger” actually originates from Fiona's great-granfather, Sidney Badger. It was carried on in honour of Badger & Son, the family’s wood finishing business, which Sidney founded in 1945. The company was later passed down to his son, Don Badger, and eventually to his grandson—Fiona’s father. Mike Westner (known by many locally as simply “Badger”) was the last to operate Badger & Son before closing its doors, just as Fiona and Mike began making canoe paddles under the Badger family name.

Fiona’s father, Mike Sr.—affectionately known as Poppa Badger—finally retired in 2010 after over 40 years in the wood finishing business, marking the end of an era. But not before passing on the same finishing techniques and recipes that had been taught to him by his grandfather and uncle. Needless to say, he was proud to see his methods—and the family name—live on through the new paddle-making business that Fiona and Mike created.

As it turns out, Mike Ramsay and Fiona became partners not just in life, but also in business. By the time they established Badger Paddles in 2009, both had already spent many years immersed in Ontario’s outdoor industry.