Available at Collinsville Canoe & Kayak

• Handcrafted wooden paddles available in stock and custom order
• In stock paddles are made from a single 2x4x8 Western Red Cedar
• Stock paddles can be ordered to your specifications
• Custom designs can be special ordered (must be pre-paid)

During the paddling season demo Greenland Paddles are available for you to try
Rent a kayak from CCK and there is no charge - small rental fee if you use your boat

Paddles are handcrafted by Brian Cooper. You can generally find Brian working at the store on weekends. Call the store for specific dates. Brian can help you decide on a paddle shape that is right for you.

About my Paddles

I started kayaking in 2001 after building a stich-and-glue kayak.

My first wooden paddle was a "Euro" style paddle - built without any real knowledge of paddle making. In 2004 I became aware of Greenland paddles. I built my first GP for a paddle clinic. Again, I built a paddle with good intentions but with very little thought to design and function.

Within a few months I built my second GP, again based on good intentions. My third paddle was a Greenland design but was made of a heavier wood, Spanish Cedar.

For the last two years I have been using single pieces of WRC to make my paddles. A paddle made from a single piece of wood is light weight and has a look and feel that I like.

My preferred finish is linseed oil as this produces a paddle that brings out the color and characteristics of the wood. When the paddle is wet it will not slip in your hands like a paddle that is varnished or epoxied. Sometimes I will epoxy the tips to protect them.