Reusing discarded wood to make a Canoe Paddle

You can buy a paddle, or buy wood to make a paddle, but what about making one from junk? Collecting junk wood found between my train station and my office, this is the story of a junk-made-paddle.
For all the latest on tours, Patreon, books and other Beauisms - linktr.ee/beauisms
Part of a series of Junk Projects:
Ep 1 - Junk Paddle: • Reusing discarded wood...
Ep 2 - Junk Office: • Saving $10k by buildin...
Ep 3 - Junk Wine: • Drinking wine found on...
Ep 4 - Junk Films: • Four bad films make on...
Awards:
Winner of the 2019 Paddling Film Festival's Best Instructional Film
Winner of the 2019 Waterwalker Film Festival's Best Inspirational Film

[@pierluigicolotto9570]

I think you can do it yourself, just watch and learn from Woodglut.

[@romeliapolly4171]

Nice to me!

[@pierluigicolotto9570]

@@romeliapolly4171 Awesome to hear that

[@MacBurlTheSecond]

"Rotting's cool, but so's a paddle" That's the kind of wisdom I'm here for

[@thedude6736]

My thought exactly!

[@coltonstephens5893]

Maybe we're all just junk wood trying to carve ourselves into paddles.

[@appleqor]

Colton Stephens that's why I subscribed and binged

[@christianaquilina5434]

Maybe no wood is Junk, and the idea of junk wood (junk anything) is incorrect. Just maybe, we have lost our use of creativity and functionality so we throw "junk" out instead or repurposing it. Wood can be used in so many ways, making a paddle, fertilizer, chipps could be used to dry things or making things not smell and so many more.

[@gelocaparaz9213]

woah thats DEEP

[@TheWiddaC]

@@christianaquilina5434 you my friend sound like a hoarder lol

[@christianaquilina5434]

@@TheWiddaC Hahaha, Omg man you cracked me up. I m not a hoarder, but I do have a history of getting overly attached to some things, like stuey notes, but no I dont like in a Scrap yard looking house.

[@tom6105]

I never comment on anything, but your videos are by far the best on KZbin!

[@BeauMiles]

I like. Ego running wild!

[@rburke00]

So good. Please make more videos.

[@plumduff3303]

Absolutely brilliant beau thanks

[@MrBmxbrawler]

I second that. entertaining and motivational. Like no other

[@jacobl.9117]

I agree 1000%

[@robertkerner4833]

Magnificent. This is the best channel on the 'Tube because of Dr Miles' energy and outlook. I bet his students get one heck of an experience that cannot be delivered via powerpoint or writing papers!

[@serart6465]

I’m from Sicily (the island in the south of Italy) and it’s nice how a man living so far from me can change my life in few minutes! Your videos are so inspiring! Keep it up!

[@dutchdettweiler]

you remind me of my old high school science teacher. we all knew the trick was you could ask him a question and he'd talk for 45 minutes. thought i was so smart, but after school i realized he was real, and thats rare when you go out into the world lol

[@LKeet6]

probably also didn't realise that he knew exactly what was happening and that at least in those 45 minutes he'd kept you all under control and focused and maybe slipped a little bit of learning in there as well :)

[@aherweck22]

Your values of thriftiness and resourcefulness are exactly what my dad did his entire life. Saving junk and scraps that most throw out and repurposing them creatively, giving those items another beautiful life, full of function and purpose. There is something beautiful in valuing what others don’t. My father was born in 1937 with his carpenter father. Throughout his life he created and repurposed everything, from old sprinkler parts, scrap wood, cork, sponges, rubber and metal washers, etc.. My father, a lifelong boy scout and father of 12, worked with his hands daily, creating most of what we had, with his hands and scrap materials. I love your films, stories, and the values you showcase so beautifully. Cheers mate. Keep up the good work, and spread the good.

[@chewa1983]

repurposing old wood I do it all the time. I don't build wood paddels or even little houses out of them but I build little car toys and littlegarages out of them for my 3 year old son. It is so satisfying and also, I cannot believe what people are throwing away

[@johnbohme525]

I've repurposed wood and everything else for decades. I learned this from my uncle. Thanks so much for sharing some of your wisdom with us.

[@M29NT]

If any one of my teachers would have even had half of the enthusiasm of you, Beau, well then maybe I wouldn't hate school. Heck, I might even want to be a teachers now, Beau. Never change this part about yourself, you are amazing!

[@Kanoist]

I built a sea kayak, my design and my hard work. I have a bunch of pallet wood. I think I am going to make myself a sea kayak paddle too just because of your video...:)

[@Pete-eb4ec]

My wife just jelled out: ' M.G! He's your kind o' guy! You also eat a pound of licorice a day! For me, I was just looking around to buy a 2nd hand paddle, for the €50,- long nose canoe I bought from an old guy, while I knew in my head I could make it myself. You pulled me over the threshold. The drone shot you didn't need anyway. Great video!

[@memeyou241]

I'm always excited to find another Beau Miles vid pop up on the tube. Beau, when I win the lotto, I'll send you a job offer to be my full time life coach, but until then, I will just have to watch KZbin.

[@BeauMiles]

Yeah, just watch the screen- better value for money me me, (and still lots of editing to make it seems life coachy!), but that's a very nice thing to say.

[@connorwhite2745]

If everyone was more like this guy, the world would be a better place.

[@MrAndyballard]

Great film. That ending summed it up perfectly… modern technology stuffed up (and does stuff up regularly) but the old tech kept propelling you down the river, there’s a lesson in there somewhere.

[@BeauMiles]

Thanks, Andy. I agree, feeling as if innovation is often returning to what we've done for a long time- the basics.

[@CyranoHounds]

If people only learn about responsible sustainability from you, that goes a very long way. We learned to save anything useful and how to reuse and repurpose when I was growing up. These days, everything is disposable. At least too many people think that way. Thank you so much for posting so many wonderfully entertaining and inspiring films.

[@geemail369]

Turning junk into something that propels you forward is a powerful statement indeed!

[@Wd40isoil]

First of your videos I have seen. My daughter found it. Fantastic. Truly inspiring. Love it. From one teacher to another in truly good faith, not to criticize but to help. Try pointing your finger down the saw. You will find you have much more control. Share that. Your students will start cutting better. Thank you for what you taught me

[@VariablePenguin]

I wish you had been my Outdoor Ed teacher. Mine just liked camping a little.

[@dyslexicmeme7928]

My sports/Outdoor Ed teacher John Sanderson showed me this video last year. His also the best teacher I’ve ever had. He said that he had a man crush on you. And this video was really inspiring. I think I’m going to make something now out of scrap wood!

[@boatman222345]

Can't say what a breath of fresh air this was! As a retired sea kayak tour leader here in America I've had my fill of yuppy rich kids with $600 carbon fiber paddles who aren't really sure which is the bow and which is the stern of their kayak. Great to see someone who understands that it's not about fan y gear but rather about the process of creating and the process of appreciating the environment through which you paddle! Thanks!

[@photographeratlarge]

This is a great! Your energy is so positive and you put into words what I feel when I'm on the water. I'm in Canada and I make paddles from the same material; whatever I find. In the industrial areas here everyone puts out bins of scrap wood from pallets or production scraps and they put out some gorgeous wood. There's a small shop that makes high end stairs and railings and their scraps make the most beautiful blades when glued up like you showed so nicely here. You're right about propelling yourself along with a paddle you made yourself. All the miles traveled and things experience all with a simple tool you made yourself. Thanks for the great video!

[@BeauMiles]

Geeze I like the international nature of KZbin- for message and random connections like this. Good on ya Rob- indeed, a bloody nice process- making a paddle. Go well mate.

[@HBCrigs]

Watching this film, and making a junk paddle together was the last thing my grandpa and i did together. I love your films beau, but this is a hard one to come back to for me. As soon as he died i bought one of those fancy electric planes and finished up the job, finding a big knot in the shaft when i snapped it in half. Maybe one day I'll get around to making a new one for old times sake but that was a crack in the gut for sure.. Thanks for all the inspiration beau, you and papa are some of my heroes in this world of mediocre life ✨

[@maxw6527]

reduce - reuse - recycle! sounds like a great business idea to sell products made from recycled wood from a local city. Great work Beau

[@see8331]

"In truth I'm not really thinking about the paddle, but I'm thinking about what I'm seeing because this allows it" I love the way you think Beau. I started watching your vids yesterday after a rec from another KZbinr, and I haven't stopped. You are an excellent lovely human being Beau, keep on rocking and keep doing what ya doing. So much Love and Light to you and your awesome wife Helen 🙏🌟💖

[@kcleveland1987]

I don’t know how I’m just now finding this channel. But in the last 24 hours I’ve already watched 8 videos. Can’t get enough!

[@Kni0002]

SAME. Literally found this like a day ago

[@DerekSmit]

These videos make me want to go outside and enjoy life..

[@BrodyToYou]

Well done, Mr. Miles. You need your own podcast.

[@BeauMiles]

Food for thought, Emanuel. I've done a few now for other folks, which are usually good chats...I'll no doubt make a film about if I do go down the podcast route! Goodonya

[@AA-wd2or]

You are real old school tuff Australian like my uncles from Perth who have mines far up north. They can build anything from nohing. Only all respect to people like you who build Australia.

[@bamboroughkelly9999]

What a sweet discovery to find your videos. This is the first I watched and I found it immensely satisfying seeing "junk" being repurposed and old pieces of wood coming back to life. Kudos to you for the inspiration.

[@BeauMiles]

Good one, Bam Kelly (great name). Indeed, the paddle is a beauty, and nice to have a story with it- a ripping teaching tool. Best

[@majesticseeotter_45]

I’m a very amateur spoon carver, but all the wood I get is from the roadside, like this idea.

[@leonschirdewahn]

Its nice to be in the canoe with you! With that selfmade paddle. Best!

[@Kerry6691]

Your videos give me hope for humanity....one piece of junk wood at a time

[@IamsuperSam]

I know this video is a few years old, but you inspired me to make my own paddle during covid. I used scrap cedar wood that was going to be thrown out by a hardware store and built a beautiful ottertail paddle from it. I'm going to go take it out on the water in a couple weeks. Keep up the great work Beau!

[@ScorpionRegent]

Mr. Miles - You make the world a better place. I only wish there were more individuals with your willingness to set aside abject consumerism for craftsmanship from items that otherwise go to waste and litter the landscape.

[@therealsparkman]

I tip my hat to you, sir! Not too many individuals would take it upon themselves to go through this process to make a paddle or anything for that matter. Cost you nothing. I love that way of thinking, especially the tree limb gnarl. Top shelf!!

[@skypieper]

Man, I can't count how many times i've watched this video lol. Fills me with inspiration every time.

[@deejaymalta]

I've been subscribed for a year or two, and I've seen most of the content, but there's not much out there that I'll re-watch. Beau, however....is so re-watchable. His outlook on life is so positive and worth aspiring to. His book is in the post and I can't wait to read it.

[@ozzycool1000]

I'm a student of Beau Miles. And i bloody love it.

[@futw3292]

Wow that sample in the background. Love that video right away.

[@tullyjohns]

Brilliant mate, bloody brilliant! Thanks for the insight and inspiration. From Monash to the Murray, POW!

[@BeauMiles]

Ta, Tully.

[@cadenunger3514]

watching each episode/series as I read them in The Backyard Adventurer. Simply amazing.

[@michaelwode2925]

I was inspired by this to try making a junk paddle. I started one and realized I used the wrong glue and started on a new one! I am brand new to finer woodworking and this has been such a fun project to start with for me!

[@christianaquilina5434]

I honestly Believe, our biggest human shortcoming is the "failure of imagination". I would have Never imagined a functional paddle from scrap wood and glue. Cheers.

[@Satwamassive]

I wish I'd had a teacher like you.

[@kayleighwickersham1828]

You should have more subscribers. This is the best content on KZbin.

[@coreyjordan2341]

man, watching you paddle with the paddle you made literally almost made me tear up, its really incredible and such an inspiring video. That can sound cheesy, but man, you inspired me.

[@greenmile9496]

Excellent lesson on life woven into a canoe paddle 😃👍

[@somedohavethem]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. The best of humanity you are old bean 🙃👍

[@SR-hf9kv]

I watch alot of youtube, and you have better quality than the most - by far... A Natural storyteller... :)

[@Dogsdoodas]

Watching your videos seem to talk to me deep inside, to a common truth, and then changes the way I think profoundly. Thank you.

[@ericbryan6825]

“Beautiful, productive, functional.” The hope of every craftsman, or anyone making anything really. Life’s simple enough to navigate when your hopes match the simplicity out there to be seen. I just found your channel. Well done, human. Well done indeed.

[@VinylinStrangePlaces]

I paddle Outrigger Canoe myself, here on beautiful Vancouver Island in BC, and having watched this video for the 4th or 5th time now I think I have a fun idea. Walk to my paddle making friend's workshop, with a wheelbarrow picking up junk wood along the way. We make a few paddles together with our findings! Your videos really inspire my explorative side. I've been going to all 164 of my municipality's parks this year (141 so far), inspired by your adventure videos. At the end after I've seen them all, I'll cycle to them all in one day! 164 parks in a 24 hours, not a bad day's work! I come back to your videos here and there, I've seen the lot 3 times each at least. Good fun, insightful, and inspirational! Cheers, Jesse

[@James_Ellis]

Thank you. I’ve found myself caught up in the now days society of buy buy buy. I’ve been looking for a couple of paddles but now I’m going to make them.

[@heyimamaker]

I just had the thought of me as a kid in the canoe with my Dad paddling in the back. I want to build a cedar canoe with him since he's in his 70's now and it just hit me that I think I would be in the back and he would be upfront enjoying the trip. Almost like a right of passage.

[@neilthielke9425]

Where are you from... I have a strongback in my garage...

[@heyimamaker]

@@neilthielke9425 Alberta Canada!

[@freemaneasyrider1820]

Order, beauty, functionality and love.created from from chaotic emptiness.the highest function of the human condition and a real indicator of hope for mankind in these morally bankrupt times.the lesson is much bigger than the paddle.thanks for coming beau,much appreciated mate.

[@xaraxania]

brilliant,, Beau I've had such fun watching your films, i spent the whole day yesterday watching them and I have loved every bit of it. you're a brilliant bloke, the world is lacking in Beau's and we need more people like you

[@DabbaDont]

This man is truly inspiring. His outlook on life, being and purpose is absolutely spot on. I'm not sure why but these videos always pull on my heartstrings and I think it's fantastic. The perfect combination of interesting, motivating, inspiring and educating.

[@BeauMiles]

Thanks, Bobby. Nice words

[@MILFSLAYER6969]

I've seen you make paddles, but something that would be mindbendingly cool is if you could make a boat or canoe out of scrap wood. Much harder task for sure

[@skypieper]

I've made a few paddles recently after seeing this video. Finding good wood with good dimensions is harder than it seems. Or maybe I am just very picky when it comes to picking wood for projects.

[@travelvideos]

In Eastern Europe, we kind of collect all the wood too. People leave furniture by the bins, not inside the bins, because somebody will find it useful. Most wasteful use is to cut it for export. As now prices for lumber plummet worldwide, plenty of unsold wood is left to rot in ports.

[@PlasticAssasin8]

made a stitch and glue 6 meter canoe once out of scrap 3mm 3 ply that was used for packing on large pallets, used the pallets to make paddles, seats , and deck worked well

[@sackyboy100]

What a view on the world! ❤️ What a Top bloke you are Beau.

[@philippest-pierre7470]

I will be heading out to make my own paddle right now. As a canoe enthousiast (the word is soft), I can't believe I never thought of it before. Thanks Beau!

[@aweston111]

Bootiful. Have to get me a 2nd hand belt sander. That seems to be the main crafting tool here. Wonderful!

[@Bspoke53]

I could listen to you talk all day I wish my teachers were more like you when I was a school, I might've made something of my life! You're one inspiring dude!!👍🏻

[@locohombre79]

Scrap wood is a damn sight easier to find than gems like this channel! If I understand the instructions correctly you glue the scrap together and remove all the not paddle? Cheers, Beau, legend

[@mrgiantanthem]

That's fantastic. I love Beaus videos. I am surprised that it dose not delaminate with only wood glue holding it together.

[@edwardcave1947]

Thanks from Petrolia, Ontario, Canada

[@charlesbisbee3014]

I am such a huge fan of your storytelling!

[@jacobderoche2152]

You truly inspire me mate, your films are amazing and you attitude is even better. I wish I had a teacher like you growing up, but I'm learning now. It may be slower but the understanding people like you give into it is amazing and I hope you live in happiness for the rest of your days. Thanks!

[@kfly2538]

Easily my favourite youtuber/hero - Where you bean all my life Beau

[@hugo102yt]

Everyone should be watching this guy instead of the Kardashians. Truly great.

[@kevinr6497]

Barely past 3 min.and I think this bloke i a genius!

[@aminoto-3]

Great short film.. great paddle.. you are a very inspiring fella Beau.. love n peace from the UK.

[@KinuGrove]

You remind me of my dad. He could build anything out of anything and with very limited tools. He is 83 now still finds a way to build stuff in his little apartment.

[@JOPEYDOPE]

Hadn’t even watched this yet and I preemptively dropped a like because I just know it’s gonna be good

[@VisionsofChina]

From one University lecturer (Sociology in UK/English in China) to another that's a cracking class. And I saw in another of your vid's you get the students to do that too. I also find it useful, even with English in China, to get the students doing something that excites them about the subject outside of the classroom. Because, as you well know thats where LIFE happens... (I've been binge watching all of your vids, keep them coming!)

[@meismeems1]

You're so inspiring Beau. You don't get stopped by having to make something perfect, you just go along finding stuff and create as you go. Great lesson for life, thank you.

[@tazyt3388]

Ripper mate I upcycle crap into awsumness too it's the best thing to see junk become a useful item with purpose ,Corry boats ,camper for me quad bike many pallet sheds it's just great u keep at it mate waste not want not cheers

[@JimBairdAdventurer]

So good Beau

[@brecklight203]

What a guy and what a channel. My life is better because I stumbled across Beau’s videos. I want to be your friend in real life!

[@anthonyralston4879]

Way to go well done repurposing old timber love it👍🏻

[@jocelyngleave946]

Pupil needs a teacher like you, super inspirational! Thanks for sharing

[@jesusiscominglookbusy7445]

What an awesome person you are. If more of us were like you, this world wouldn’t be half bad

[@markwilliams3477]

The paddle of life. Wish i had you as a teacher. Awesome inspiration

[@UnguidedNun]

How this ended up in my recommended videos, I know not. However I’m pleased as punch that such a thing occurred. Can’t wait to watch all the other videos on this channel. Well done, Chap.

[@oliportch919]

The more I watch your videos the more I think this dude is a hero

[@damioncutler1115]

You know what Beau? I reckon you've sussed life... Every video inspires me, your just exactly the kind of person I want to be... Apart from maybe the bean diet. I really hope you know just how much of an impact you make on people. Tomorrow I'm going to start hunting for wood so that I can make myself a work bench in my garage, so thank you and I hope you keep making awesome videos that inspire me and others.

[@minik124]

You should create a one week mentoring course where people can come spend one week with you going on crazy adventures and learning about the beauty of nature. This would be a treat that would satisfy my hunger for an adventure.

[@stopper20]

If we’re ever back in Australia I’m looking you up. Love the videos and your simplistic approach to life my friend!

[@daveybaa]

I've binged watched your films and they are stunningly beautiful. Love your delivery too!

[@louisaisthankful6455]

Always a pleasure to see what Beau is going to do. Resourceful. Cheerful. Diligent.

[@questioneverything7922]

Imagine having this guy as your teacher, it would be great!

[@benloftis7176]

Beau I just want to say thank you for your appreciation of the world. I keep coming back to this video and it has inspired me to make a canoe paddle for my dad for Father’s Day. Hopefully it will come out all right.

[@motivationtheoryrunning]

Love this. I have a shed full of scrap wood from all my projects over the years. I use them to do little things here and there, can'y ever seems to let any of it go just in the trash. Here is VA I also find and make great walking sticks out of beaver dam wood...not more beautiful than a beaver teeth carved hiking stick...you can see the teeth marks, it is wonderful.

[@lochieaxon]

Just like this paddle, you’re one of a kind Beau.

[@timking9818]

I've been paddling since I was twelve. Friend taught me to roll in school. White water kayaking in my teens, canoeing in my twenties, sea kayaking West Coast of Scotland on my 30th birthday. Like you, my father taught me the value of building stuff from scrap and using my diy skills up cycle and reuse as much as possible. I've watched Bass crossing and many other of your videos. You commented when Tim couldn't come that you appreciated his prayers even though you were not religious. I see the love you put in to your work. The depth that you ponder things. It seems to me that you're revelry of the world, nature and the bond of mankind is an appreciation of the spirituality of man and nature...are you sure your not searching to pinpoint and missing the thing that brings all that together? Don't normally write comments but thank you for the provocative, and inspiring moments of you're life you are sharing with us...keep being inspired and being inspiring! Find what you might not be looking for.

[@jezh8076]

Absolutely love your videos beau, you came to talk at our school last year, you are a great bloke, Keep finding myself watching your videos. Cool to see your still wearing our school hat🙌🏼

[@BeauMiles]

Nice one Jez. The hat's no good in the rain- droopy as all hell, but otherwise soft and gross and just right.

[@jonhunt5814]

I'm 12 months into canoeing, enjoy working with wood and have been preparing to make my first paddle. Struggling to source the perfect wood, WRC, Ash etc... this video has inspired me to just go with all those scraps I've kept in the garage from other projects and what I've rescued from skips. Thankyou!