Mudbrook Racing Paddles Background Mudbrook Paddle Company originally started out as Mcann Paddles in Wisconsin. It included freshwater paddles for fishing, boating and recreation. In the early 90’s, owner Bob Mcann was asked to build a set of outrigger racing paddles. The first outrigger paddles were built without experience or expertise. Sold under the name of Mcann Paddles, the paddles were bulky and built to fend off river rocks and docks. Consequently they weighed a ton with palm grips. Not having seen a real outrigger canoe, it was very difficult for Mr. Mcann. The company had no idea what a good outrigger paddle should look like. Explaining the construction process in detail was difficult and changes were slow.
Raw lumber curing, waiting to be cut in pieces
Later Mcann company changed owners twice and finally went out of business. The need for outrigger paddles grew in California and elsewhere. Then Dan and Gayle Bublitz of Wisconsin received a call from California with an offer to build paddles. Since Dan used to work at the old paddle shop, he took up the offer. With finance, he purchased tools and fixed up his small furniture shop. He named his company Mudbrook Woods Paddles after Mudbrook Woods furniture shop. Moving to a heavily forested area near the Canadian border, he built a new and better shop and continued building paddles. Soon he was contracted to build paddles exclusively for paddlers Al and Danny Ching, under the name of Mudbrook Racing Paddles.
Gayle sets up the computer while Dan prepares to switch on the CNC machine
Research and Development
Prototypes and experiments are shaped and tested in Southern California by OC1 paddler Danny Ching and friends. Then they are shipped to Wisconsin for manufacturing. With the help of digital scanning, CAD program, CNC, phone calls and emails it is now easier to modify shapes and designs. These designs are our latest donation to racing. We firmly believe in wood paddles.
CNC machine cutting paddles
Building a paddle is more like creating something.There is a difference in texture, feel and hardness in every piece of wood.Depending on how the tree grew, the knots and twists of the grain will determine how easy or difficult it will be to fashion.Gnarly wood finishes beautifully, but difficult to work with, heavy and not good for racing.Straight grains are easy to cut and sand, great for racing, but somewhat bland looking.In the end the paddle must be built according to its use. We've had many happy customers who have written to us about their enjoyment and good racing qualities of the Mudbrook Racing Paddles. We hope that you too will try one of our paddles.
Dan shaping the shaft making the chips fly
See our new email address as of January 2012 below
