SK Newletters - May 2007 Sea Kayaker Magazine

Dave Bain, Nimbus Paddles
Nimbus Paddles has been producing top quality paddles for over 30 years. We started before it was “fashionable” to have a kayak on your roof. We use some of this industries most knowledgeable people for designing and testing. Nimbus paddles work! We have changed with the times to keep the most up to date technology. We do everything from economy fibreglass paddles and shafts to ultra light carbon paddles. Our paddles are truly a hand made craft from start to finish. All of our materials & labour, come from and support local North American economies.

Tom Derrer, Eddyline Kayaks
Throughout our 36 year history, Tom's focus at Eddyline has been to bring advanced technology to the design and construction of kayaks and paddles. Starting with vacuum bag technology in 1971, many of his innovations are now standard features or processes used by other manufacturers. Tom was first to apply computer-aided design and use computer machined originals, vastly improving hull symmetry and performance over hand lofted hulls and decks. In 1995, Eddyline was the first to produce thermoformed sea kayaks, introducing Carbonlite 2000 and setting the standards for the future of Thermoforming. It is a major point of pride for us that all Eddyline kayak and Swift paddle designs and technologies are original and unique.
Tom has been deeply involved in the industry from the beginning of the sport; helping to form a trade association now called TAPS. He helped design the format still used at the annual “West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium” and helped develop the safety video “Before You Go” released by TAPS in the nineties and still in use today.
By Tom's choice, we remain a family company, supporting local jobs, focused on quality, rather than quantity. Our small size enables us to treat our customers as family too, allowing us to communicate personally with them. And in return, their passion for paddling continues to educate and inspire us.

Alistair Wilson, Lendal Paddles
Lendal Paddles - It all started 40 years ago with sprint kayaker Alistair Wilson. Dissatisfied with the equipment available at the time, he began building his own paddles, and they eventually helped him reach the Olympic Games (twice). It was Alistair's teammate, now wife, who recognized the potential of Alistair's ideas. Their shared vision has powered Lendal for four decades.

Greg Barton, Epic Kayaks
Greg Barton stunned the world by winning 2 kayaking gold medals at the 1988 Olympics. He also has numerous titles in marathon canoeing, outrigger canoeing and open ocean kayak races.
Growing up in a family of canoeists in Michigan, Greg built his first paddle at age 13 and his first boat at age 15. He continued to optimize his equipment, building the paddles that were used in his gold medal winning kayak races.
Greg graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan with a degree in mechanical engineering. Greg is currently the president of Epic Kayaks, Inc. Epic Kayaks produces lightweight, high performance kayaks and paddles. They utilize materials and design principles proven in racing and adapt them to suit all types of paddling including touring and expedition use.

Dale Kicker, Bending Branches
With 28 years in the industry we have built more than a million and a half paddles. Over the years Bending Branches has lead the way in wood, plastic, and composite innovation. We have built a lot of smart products over the years and are rolling out innovations all the time. We not only have to design and build great products, we have to stand behind and deliver them as well. Knowing the market and how to market is a must, and being able to change market direction to meet the customer’s needs is essential.

Andy Bridge, Werner Paddles
Andy Bridge is Director of Research and Development at Werner Paddles where he has worked for the past seven years. Some of the designs he was responsible for include the Kalliste, Ikelos, Shuna, Skagit, and Werner’s Neutral Bent Shaft for touring. He also designed their patented Adjustable Ferrule System.
His contagious enthusiasm for paddling is evident to anyone who meets him and he loves sharing his love of paddling with beginners and experts alike. Andy is fascinated with the paddling stroke and what a paddle can do.
Before working at Werner he ran Dagger Composites building and designing sea kayaks. Andy also designed and built custom high performance racing kayaks for many years including the only Gold Medal Olympic whitewater winning boat in 1992. He is highly experienced in all facets of composites materials and manufacturing.
Andy has been paddling all types of boats for over 30 years and is a 9 time U.S. Whitewater Team member and 1992 World Cup Champion. More recently he has been sea kayaking Canada’s West Coast to test paddle ideas. In 2006 he successfully circumnavigated Baranof Island in Alaska covering over 350 miles all self contained.

Peter Mitchell, Mitchell Paddles
Peter Mitchell has been involved with Mitchell Paddles for most of his life, and he has worked at the shop steadily since he graduated from college in 2001. Peter grew up racing, paddling K-1 slalom from the time he was 8 years old until he turned 14. He then started paddling C-2 and went to the worlds and pre-worlds. He raced C-1 for his last two years as a junior, and was the top U.S. paddler in the 1997 Junior World Championships held in Lipno, Czech Republic. Now, play-boating is his favorite form of paddling. Peter plans to continue the Mitchell focus on personal service and high quality, and he would like to further explore the use of synthetics.