About

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 my relatives, David & Peggy Mitchell, between them had attained Gold in Olympics, and many Gold, Silver and Bronze medals 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 playful River Running in hard wearing plastic boats. Since then I have paddled throughout my life, running many different rivers, and virtually all the various sectors, C1, Sea Kayaking, Surfing etc..

After qualifying in Building Construction I worked in the trade, in Corporate Business, and Customer Services. One day, while travelling, my uncle asked if I would like to work for him at Mitchell Paddles in America, and learn how to make paddles. I could not resist the opportunity to work and live with my family in the States. 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, learned a lot about Engineering, and found new interesting materials to work with. Over the years, I have designed and developed new moulds, which now allow us to produce the successful paddles we make today. It always gives me great pleasure to see my personally designed logos, paddle shafts and blades being used out on the water. Thank you for your support.

Lance Mitchell - Proprietor & Founder Mitchell Blades