Badger Paddles La Bonga

A Beavertail General Purpose Cherry Wood Canoe Paddle

Badger paddles most popular all-round paddle is the La Bonga, and it is well suited for UK canoeists. Named after the legendary Canadian voyageur and guide George Bonga, the paddle blade is teardrop shaped, and is similar to other traditional ‘beavertail’ canoe paddles. The blade shape provides power when required and unlike longer blade shapes, can also be used in much shallower water, meaning it is a true allrounder. The rounded tip of the blade is much quieter through the water than squared-off blade shapes, and the end is left slightly thicker to provide more strength and durability.

The La Bonga is quicker to pull through the water than longer bladed canoe paddles, providing a faster stroke rate and can be used as a short single-blade paddle for solo/pack boaters, as it doesn’t have to be lifted out far from the water on the return leg of the stroke from a sitting position. Many folks will have a La Bonga as a 2nd paddle, as it complements a deep-water paddle, and means that a spare paddle can be packed, and have two alternative paddle styles handy for use in different situations.

As with all Badger paddles, the La Bonga is machine cut from a single piece of wood, after which it’s individually shaped by hand using belt and drum sanders. The La Bonga is then given a finished hand sanding. Once completed, each Badger Paddle is a unique wood carving, and of course no two Badger Paddles are identical.

The La Bonga is constructed from oiled Cherrywood, which is a close-grained hardwood providing a strong, light paddle with a natural flex when pressure is applied. As with all Badger Paddles, there is a dihedral transitional ridge along the spine of the blade. This provides strength and a smooth flow of water around the blade, resulting in fluid, smooth paddle strokes.

As with all Badger paddles, the La Bonga comes supplied with a genuine Badger Paddle Sock for protection during transport and storage.