10 Mar Hap Wilson: A Legendary Ambassador
In this age of ``techno-gear`` you don't often come across any hand-made products that really stand out. Badger Paddles is the exception. You can tell that each paddle shows the love and commitment of the manufacturer...artistically rendered by true crafts-people, Mike and Fiona at Badger Paddles. Every avid paddler needs a ``real`` paddle, and I love my Badger!
Welcoming The Legend: Hap Wilson
I remember seeing Hap one day when I was in my twenties, and I was working at Wilderness Dreams in New Liskeard. It was not long before Mike and I were married in the little A-frame church on Highway 11 in Marten River, and Hap Wilson walked through the store to get to the Scott Canoe offices at the front of the building. My coworkers and I all paused, caught by his quiet nod of acknowledgment. “That’s Hap Wilson!” someone whispered excitedly as we stood in awe of a living legend.
Later, on our canoe trip honeymoon in Temagami, one of the essentials we packed was Hap Wilson’s guide, Temagami Canoe Routes. We never imagined that we’d not only become friends with the man behind the “bible” of Temagami canoe routes – a man we deeply respected – but also that one day he would come to respect and admire our work with canoe paddles enough to actually become an official Ambassador for what we do.
Even now, it still feels a bit like a crazy dream when I compare those days to where we are now. But when you look at everything Hap has accomplished, it’s no surprise that he’s earned such respect and admiration.
Charting a Legendary Course
For over four decades, Hap Wilson has explored and mapped the vast network of Canadian lakes and rivers. He has revived ancient water routes—first traveled by Indigenous peoples thousands of years ago—transforming them into safe trails for modern adventurers.
A true authority in the world of canoeing and exploration, Hap is renowned for his deep knowledge, fearless advocacy, and unwavering dedication to wilderness conservation. His environmental work in Temagami and beyond has left an indelible mark, solidifying his status as a legend in the field.
Hap’s expertise is as expansive as the landscapes he’s navigated. He is an explorer, cartographer, artist, author, environmental crusader, eco-trail builder, craftsman, guide, speaker, naturalist, photographer, videographer, husband, father, and friend. An icon in the canoeing world, he is one of its most respected and influential figures.
So with all that in mind, we couldn’t be more honoured that for over a decade, Hap’s paddle of choice has been a Badger canoe paddle—his current favourite being the Bonga. And with a prototype in the works, there’s a good chance one day a Badger paddle may even bear his name.
Hap’s Paddle Prototype
“Back in August, Mike and Fiona of Badger Paddles gave me a new prototype paddle to field test.
Well, I’m super tough on my paddle and I expect a lot from it. We just packed up canoeing for the season last week at Bon Echo Park, doing a trail survey.
So, the verdict is in…after four months of grinding the paddle over rocks, even using it to prod timbers through the rapids at our lodge, I have to say that this is the best design yet – the perfect flex, an epoxied tip, and a comfortable grip, especially if you palm your paddle.
I just have to come up with a name that suits.”
~Hap Wilson on Facebook
More About Hap Wilson
Hap Wilson is one of Canada’s well known explorers, author and artist. Paddling more than 60,000 km through the Canadian wilderness, Wilson has authored 14 books and written numerous feature articles. An International Fellow of the Explore’s Club and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Wilson is also the co-founder of the environment group Earthroots. Hap Wilson is the recipient of the Bill Mason Award for lifetime achievement in river conservation. His illustrated book “Voyages” won the Natural Resources Council of America Award for best environmental book. On the lighter side, Wilson taught actor Pierce Brosnan how to paddle a canoe and throw knives for the Attenborough movie “Grey Owl”. He and his wife Andrea own and operate Cabin Falls Ecolodge in Temagami. You can contact Hap at hapwilson.com.
Thank you, Hap, for all that you do – for us, for the land, for the waterways, and for the future. It is an honour to call you an Ambassador and, most importantly, a friend. Paddles up and much respect to you!
Follow Hap and Andrea and their countless adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
Visit Cabin Falls Ecolodge to discover their guided adventures, clinics, and stay at their beautiful, historical, and unique cabin retreat.
We are still finalizing some of the details of our new Badger Ambassadorship program, as well as working on a new Testimonial page. But in the meantime, if you really dig your Badger paddle and have a testimonial and some photos you would like to share with us, be sure to contact us to be included in our Testimonials on this website!
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