A chat with… Andrew Ainsworth

Interview: Peter Tranter

Photos: Ainsworth Paddles

A chat with… Andrew Ainsworth

Younger readers may think of Ainsworth Paddles and maybe think that’s where the story ends: a company manufacturing excellent paddles. However, owner, Andrew Ainsworth has a long and fascinating history in producing equipment for the paddlesport industry and props for a certain genre of films. Since I published Canoe Focus in 1995, Andrew has supported each and every magazine paddling we’ve produced. So, not before time, take it away Andrew.

Where and what was your first paddle on the water?
The first paddle I made was made from the spare pieces of material at the pointed ends of the oblong sheet used to make the vacuum formed plastic kayak in 1974

How did your first paddle progress into what is now a very successful career as a paddle manufacturer?
So the blade had a vacuum formed spoon shape; I glued a Hickory backbone to the plastic (ABS) and joined the blades to a Glass/Phenolic tube that I sourced from a military scrap yard. The tubes were composite aerials left over from WW2. If I hadn’t run out of the aerials. I probably would still be making them today.

What other paddling equipment did you design?
Loads:
Vacuum formed kayaks in ABS.
Outdoor clothing, duvet jackets etc.
Racing sculling boats.
Touring and training rowing boats.
Rowing oars and sculling blades.
Hand-shaped windsurfers.
Polyurethane injection-moulded windsurfers.
Polyurethane injection-moulded kayaks.
Horizon 3. Three-piece sea kayak.
Skid Lid helmets.

In your business of paddle manufacturing, what is your proudest achievement?
Building the Polyurethane high-pressure injection plant was a concept for future manufacturing processes. The concept is that it utilised materials nearer their source, being either petrochemical or natural based. It uses very little energy by relying on chemical reactions that produce exotherm. The versatility of processing encourages the best structural performance from the materials regarding strength/weight. The speed of the process is so fast that it hits all the buttons for a cost-effective product.

What is the most significant improvement you can make to a paddle in the design process?
It’s all about ‘strength for weight.’ Modern carbon prepregs are interesting, and we are using them very effectively, especially with the ‘Snap Cure’ process. There are many other features to consider, but they are all secondary in the equation.

What are the biggest misconceptions regarding paddles?
Price. So often, the most expensive paddles only carry high costs of adverting and distribution, which all too easily influences the buyer.

Which is the largest market for Ainsworth paddles?
In the past, we marketed worldwide and supplied the major manufacturers of canoe and kayak equipment in Germany, but at the end of the day, this is a ‘lifestyle business’ and currently, we are quite happy just to operate for the UK market, and if any export customers wish, we will, of course, oblige.

If you could capture just one ‘feel good’ moment in your times of paddling or the business of constructing paddles – which would it be and why?
In 1984 we moved to Consett, Co Durham, and I can honestly say that I have never encountered such a workforce with so much talent, enthusiasm and commitment anywhere in the world. We ran a 24-hour shift pattern, and I can tell you that the town works hard and plays hard. Happy days.

How often do you now go out paddling?
I’m getting on a bit now; the mental capacity is fading, the business doesn’t need me, and so ‘hey ho’ time for paddling. I’m looking to progress to SUP racing.

What are your goals for the next 12 months?
I can’t stop dabbling in design and inventions. SUP paddles are very interesting as power = force x distance; the distance part of the paddle, i.e., the shaft, is much longer than other paddles and so needs special design features. We have developed a bi-axial carbon composite shaft that is super powerful but with ‘progressive recoil’; hence it does not knock the hell out of your shoulders. As an ancient test rig, I can assure you it really works.

We’ve received emails regarding slits in paddles and how some paddlers prefer them – what’s your view?
The concept lies in the secondary category, but the design may help long-distance paddling by softening the blow to aching limbs. We have made kayak and SUP blades with this concept, which is still under review.

I’m a paddler and going on vacation; where would you recommend?
Ireland, Ireland. And Ireland.

Any body of water you haven’t been to would be on your bucket list, and why does it flick your switch?
I still haven’t been down the Colorado.

What do you do in your leisure time?
Dabble in design – I have a carbon monocoque bicycle on the go.

Any person involved in the water sports industry you would like to interview and why?
Havn’t seen Klaus Lettmann for a while – he is a great dancer, you know.

Do any other sports interest you apart from paddling?
Skiing did until the inevitable leg surgery stopped that. Squash – same surgery.

What do you do to relax?
Why?

Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.
I am a very nice person.

We cannot let you go without mentioning Star Wars and your role in creating props and costumes for the films – does this make you feel special?
Star Wars, Superman. Alien. Flash Gordon, I created props for them all, but the end result was not mine to capitalise on. They were just another product along the way, mainly to subsidies my own designed products, but so much fun at the time.

Are you still involved with making props for the science fiction film industry?
We still make popular characters for the memorabilia business, and since I have IP rights, we also have a healthy licensing business, which finally subsidises the lifestyle business. Look up www.originalstormtrooper.com