Smith Paddle and Canoe is a family owned business. Brian crafts each paddle using hand tools such as the draw knife and wood plane. Deborah brings her sewing skills and eye for colour to the practical and attractive fleece paddle bags. Together, they produce distinctive, affordable and high quality products for canoeing enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Since he was a young teen, Brian has made his own paddles and canoes. He’s repaired and refurbished cedar strip canoes, canvas canoes, all-wood boats, and sailing dinghies. In addition to racing in big North Canoes, Hawaiian outriggers, and Quebec Winter Carnival ice boats, Brian has competed in marathon races throughout western Canada in a tandem canoe. Most recently, he competed in the longest river race in the world – the Yukon River Quest – and won the Mixed and Voyageur categories. He is a recreational paddler whose recent pursuit is participation in Voyageur Canoe Brigades across Canada.
Brian has been building paddles for over 50 years. Smith Paddle and Canoe began formally in August 2013 in response to the overwhelming number of requests for custom built paddles from voyageur canoe enthusiasts. Today, Brian produces dozens of paddles in his workshop and ships them across Canada and the USA.
Since he was a young teen, Brian has made his own paddles and canoes. He’s repaired and refurbished cedar strip canoes, canvas canoes, all-wood boats, and sailing dinghies. In addition to racing in big North Canoes, Hawaiian outriggers, and Quebec Winter Carnival ice boats, Brian has competed in marathon races throughout western Canada in a tandem canoe. Most recently, he competed in the longest river race in the world – the Yukon River Quest – and won the Mixed and Voyageur categories. He is a recreational paddler whose recent pursuit is participation in Voyageur Canoe Brigades across Canada.
Brian has been building paddles for over 50 years. Smith Paddle and Canoe began formally in August 2013 in response to the overwhelming number of requests for custom built paddles from voyageur canoe enthusiasts. Today, Brian produces dozens of paddles in his workshop and ships them across Canada and the USA.