‘Wrestling with Yew’ First Paddle

After several failed attempts to make what seemed like a simple paddle—and a chance encounter on a BC Ferry with legendary coastal carver Godfrey Stevens and a recommendation from my wife—I found myself at the Carving on the Edge Festival in Tofino, BC, on Tla-o-qui-aht Territory on Vancouver Island.

Godfrey had asked me what I was trying to learn. After sketching a beautiful drawing, he directed me to someone who would become one of the most important people I’ve met in my life: Tutakwisnapšiƛ Joe Martin. In my search to meet Joe, I arrived at the doorstep of the festival and joined a paddle-making workshop led by Joe’s brother, local legend Carl Martin.

With patience and good humour, Carl guided me through the process of shaping my first, modest paddle from Pacific yew—a source material that has become somewhat rare on the coast since its bark was discovered to contain natural cancer-fighting compounds. Thankfully, those compounds can now be synthesized without harvesting the remaining yew trees.

The design of this paddle is inspired by Carl’s own work, deeply rooted in his Nuu-chah-nulth heritage and cultural connection to the land and sea. Kleco, kleco, Carl, for helping me begin my paddle-making journey.

Photography: Christopher Roy | @christopherroy