Badger Paddles is a family supported business. Did you know...
Mike Sr. has over 40 years experience in the wood & finishing trade and in a canoe. Mike has been finishing and working with wood since he was a young boy. He took over the family business, Badger & Son Wood Refinishers when he was still a young man and now teaches the craft to others in Toronto, Canada through the district school board.

A passionate canoeist, he took his daughter Fiona on her first trip into Algonquin Park’s interior when she was 18 months old. She started painting when she was 12 years of age.

With his love of fishing, canoeing, kayaking and the cottage - Mike Sr. was more then happy when his daughter and her husband came to him with the idea for Badger Canoe Paddles. Although Mike Sr. is now semi-retired, his influence and techniques have thankfully been passed down to a fourth generation of our family where we still continue Grandpa Badger’s traditions today.

Fiona’s husband, also named Mike, began escaping to Northern Ontario as soon as he was old enough to go to summer camp.

An avid outdoorsman, Mike Ramsay graduated from the Seneca College Outdoor Recreation program and has been working in the paddling industry ever since, racking up almost 20 years of experience in the outdoor industry. As he also had an interest working with wood, he always remained available to help his father-in-law at Badger & Son where he also spent time learning the trade. Mike always makes himself available to Badger, graciously volunteering his time, advice, and expertise, when ever he is able.

Also as the main innovator of the Paddle Sock, Mike gave us an idea that has solved the need for ever buying another paddle bag again. You may recognize him from some of the trade shows or paddling events across the province of Ontario. This guy really knows how to slog canoes!

While Fiona has always enjoyed camping and canoeing, even learning to become a canoeing instructor, it wasn’t until she was a teenager that she began to paint wilderness scenes on paddles and other unique items. Over the years Fiona has proven to be a creative and talented artist and she really loves to do personalized paddles for fellow outdoor enthusiasts (see the Wolf Paddle below). Click here to see some more examples of her work.

Interestingly enough, Fiona & Mike met and fell in love while they were both working for the same canoe manufacturing company. After marrying, they had a beautiful son, Makobe - who also loves the being on (or in) the water. After discovering Makobe has autism, Fiona started AutismZeitgeist (www.autismzeitgeist.com)an informational website for parents of children with autism living in Ontario, Canada. The site has been a help to many families.

Fiona spent much of her youth helping her father at Badger’s, learning much of the trade as she grew. Now, as owner of Badger, she paints many Badger Paddles with a logo singly, by hand, along with personalized names, designs and more. Fiona is also the creator of the Badger WaterColours, a successful line of tinted solid wood paddles that appeal to the young and colourfully hearted!