Bending Branches

Dale Kicker and Ron Hultman are the owners of Bending Branches, the company that makes canoe and kayak paddles. In 1982, the whitewater canoeists joined to make a special canoe paddle. The original composite tipped canoe paddle made became known as Bending Branches. The privately owned company, Bending Branches, located in Wisconsin has made more than a million paddles since then.

What makes Bending Branches canoe paddles different is the Rockgard (R) covering. The covering of every canoe tip is similar to that used in the inside of skate wheels. The special polymer keeps out water and let the paddle function six times longer than paddles that are not using the Rockgard tip. The most significant part of every Bending Branches paddle is the specially manufactured resin tip that protects the paddle from injury due to contact with debris including rocks and from absorbing water. The special tip is laid on the paddle in what is called a Wrap Around method that seals all of the paddles corners.

Bending Branches has several canoe shapes to choose from: the twig, the loon, the traveler, and the beavertail.

Selecting a canoe is very important if you want your experience in the canoe to be a favorable event. Things like our height and the water conditions are all important considerations in choosing a canoe. Bending Branches has a canoe to fit your measurements and your canoeing water conditions.
These canoes come in straight and bent shapes depending on where you plan on canoeing. Since a canoe has to be flexible to be used properly, it has to fit. Measurements for canoes are taken by measuring the distance from between your legs to your nose. Bending Branches canoes are sold according to the size that you request after taking your measurements. The companies dealers have demos of paddles that can be tried out for a more accurate fit. Their online site also comes with fitting charts and explanations of how to decide which canoe and what size will work best for your canoeing needs.

The company guarantees its canoe and kayak paddles against defects if the defective paddle is reported in one year of purchase. If the defect is due to manufacturer's cause and was used for normal paddle function, the paddle will be replaced or repaired. The manufacturer's warranty does not apply if the paddles are used in white water or white water paddles or if the paddles are abused or mistreated.