06/03/2024
Over those years we have had many loyal customers who still re-invest in our handmade timber paddles and have helped new paddlers and us along the way by introducing them to the natural feel and connection of a timber paddle. For that we are truly grateful.
So the time has come upon us due to circumstances beyond our control, that xylobladz either moves out of our hands to someone else (preferred), or disappears from the outrigger landscape.
We will personally make the last few orders on the books that we have, and clear out our workshop. We have no other place to go with it, even though the space doesn’t need to be what it is now.
IF you could see yourself learning to make a paddle on a commercial basis and taking xylobladz forward, you can easily do this right now as a part time endeavor. However, by doing more of what we had done for years, turning up at races with a few paddles, talking with paddlers - you could grow this to whatever level you wish to put into it.
Having a clue about working with some woodworking tools is a definite advantage, but if you have a learner's mind, everything is teachable.
Yes there are a lot of cheaper or more expensive carbon imports that have the flavor of the month. As a handmade product from start to finish, of course the margins aren’t there for resellers to make money off xylobladz.
Should a person be interested in continuing a legacy started in 1986, we will be able to advise, teach, guide the how's and whys’ of making a paddle.
Machinery and custom jigs are available, which of course can be re-invented, modified …but start with something and take it from there.
60 grand plus timber stock and tooling if required. 12 months of guidance and resources, suppliers to get you started.
There is another option, but that’s a whole other investment.
