We at Wood Song Canoes offer training in modern wooden canoe design and building (strip construction) and advanced modern wood paddle building. The purpose is to provide interested students the opportunity to learn excellent craftsmanship without having to experiment on their own for a decade. Our desire is to ensure every student leaves our shop with the knowledge and a thirst to excel at canoe or paddle building. For those spending an hour or two, we expect then to be able to save hundreds of hours of experience. For those apprenticing for a year, we expect them to save 10 years.

The shop here in Round O is a small family run shop with my familiy's home on the premises. All activity in and around the shop will be maintained in a family oriented and God honoring fashion. There are children present much of the time and so I must be careful to provide an appropriate environment. I will insist on enforcing what today's culture might think are some outdated rules and ideas but they are what governs this business and has helped make it successful. If you feel that the rules I have posted are unfair and infringe on your rights, I urge you to take lessons elsewhere. My goal is to enjoy my work and I can't do that if I have to compromise my values. That having been said I believe there will be very few who will find that they are unwilling or unable to comply.

Student Program
This is a program whereby an individual or small group of individuals can receive one on one tutoring or consultation on any specified subject. Common topics may include canoe form set up, stripping the hull, fiberglassing techniques, finishing techniques, or marketing. Classes are conducted in four hour time blocks; morning, afternoon, evening.

One of our more popular classes is the paddle building class. In this class the student will observe me building a paddle from start to finish; working on several different paddles that are pre-staged in various stages of construction. The student is encouraged to take notes, copy plans, and take photos and/or video. This class typically lasts 11-14 hours over a two day period. During this type of training the student will receive my undivided attention. A student who wishes to study for more than two weeks would be encouraged to become an apprentice. There is a charge of $40.00 per hour.

Apprenticeship Program
This program is designed for those who are looking for in depth knowledge and hands on experience.  A minimum of 4 months is required although at least 6 months is recommended for the student to experience most of what we do at least once.  There will be many periods of one on one time but only as each task requires.  These periods could be punctuated by many hours of tedious labor.  It may seem at the outset that very little instruction is being offered but at the end of 90 days  the student will have complied a serious amount of knowledge and experience. 

For further information on our exciting training and apprenticeship program please contact us
 Wood Song Canoes
425 Jessie Lane
Round O, South Carolina 29474
(843) 835-8137