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Mitchell Blades was established in 2002 with the help of the Princess Trust and my supportive family. Since then we have won many awards for our achievements, including 'Best Business in Chester Award', presented to us by the Mayor of Chester on behalf of the Chester City Council.
I began kayaking at the age of nine at the Chester Sailing & Canoeing Club, heavily influenced by the fact both my relatives, David & Peggy Mitchell, between them had attained Gold, Silver and Bronze in Slalom World Championships. Slalom interested me for a while, allowing me to develop basic skills through the gates, until I joined the Chester Youth Centre Canoe Club, and Queens Park High School Club. It was there I discovered the joys of River Running and Playboating in hard wearing plastic boats. Since then I have paddled throughout my life, running many different rivers, and virtually all the various sectors, C1, Touring Surfing etc..
After qualifying in Building Construction & Engineering I worked in the trade, also in Corporate Business, and Customer Services. I was looking for a refreshing change when my uncle asked if I would like to work for him at Mitchell Paddles in the USA. I could not resist the opportunity to work abroad making paddles for my dearest passion. During my apprenticeship I was taught all facets of paddle manufacture, from shaping wooden blades, to laying up synthetics.
Mitchell Blades has come a long way since then. I have devised new manufacturing techniques, found new and interesting materials to work with, but most of all, I have designed and developed new moulds which now allow us to produce the successful paddle blades we make today.
Lance Mitchell - Proprietor & Founder Mitchell Blades
Developments & News
Our new blade profile was introduced in 2006. Since then we are happy to report our paddles are getting a reputation as being the best many have ever used.
Peter Catterall was our first team coach sponsor, and still currently trains the GB Freestyle team. In 2006 we began sponsoring Stu Parry, then the under 18s British Freestyle Champion. In January 2007 we started sponsoring Claire O'Hara, the European & British Squirt Boat Champion. On the 30th April 07 Claire won the Silver Medal for the British team.
During 2008 we exhibited at successful trade shows, and gained new dealerships in five different countries.
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