End of Grey Owl Paddles?

[SilentWilderness]

Hello, I just received an email from Paddle Shack in Ottawa concerning the closure of Grey Owl Paddles. I was enquiring on purchasing a C1 Paddle, when I received an email back saying that the future of that company is weighing in the balances and will close if it isn't picked up by another person or business. So I won't be getting a 58" C-1 apparently. Highly disappointed.

Anyone have anymore information? No I haven't emailed grey owl myself yet. Anyone else know where they might stock a C1? I emailed Western Canoe about if they had any paddles left and no response yet. Love Grey Owl Paddles, especially the Hammerhead model. Tried out a Bending Branches paddle but, it wasn't great.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

On the Grey Owl website it says the Cambridge, Ontario, company was bought by a hockey stick manufacturer, Roustan, in May 2025, which will move all the paddle-making equipment to Brantford, Ontario, and continue paddle production.

Several newspaper articles report this. Here's one:

Acquisition of paddle company perfect fit for Brantford hockey stick maker

The Brantford manufacturer of 400,000 hockey sticks annually will add production of 50,000 paddles for canoes, kayaks and dragon boats.

www.brantfordexpositor.ca

 

[jdeerfoot]

Grey Owl Paddles were used exclusively by the Wabakimi Project. I own a number of them myself. I have several carbon fiber paddles, but pretty much just use wooden paddles, which I prefer. Glad to hear this is just a change of ownership and not a closure.

 

[Penns Woods]

I'm sorry to see any small shop close. I'm glad to see it picked up by the hockey stick people, should be a good combination.

 

[scoutergriz]

I really hope that they can make a go of it, scores of kids and parents I taught used Grey Owl paddles for their entry point, they were good value for the money while still being affordable enough to not break the bank if they got lost or damaged, in fact most of my loaners were Grey Owls, with a few other donated brands mixed in