Have you ever thought about starting a business with your childhood best friend? Who hasn’t, right? How about starting one with your 10 best childhood friends? I’m gonna call them the Centre Wellington 11 (CW11) since that’s where these boys got their start.
Speaking to Trevor Aitchison, one of the 11 currently residing in Kincardine, that’s just what he did. Well, him and 10 other guys. So, let me tell you what it is they are so passionate about. It’s called “Waddies”. It’s the ultimate tossing game that has quite a history (depending on how gullible you are). At risk of being a spoiler, I will direct you to Waddies history section once you’re finished reading this article to learn more.
“What we do know for sure is that one of our grandfathers used to play the homemade game with rubber furniture casters,” says Trevor. After receiving a brief lesson and demonstration of proper and skillful Waddies play in his backyard, we settle in for a chat. He continues, “they used to play with those casters on an ugly white particle board setup…at the Legion Branch #275 in Fergus,” he says and mentions that he still has one of the original boards in his garage, but I stupidly forget to ask to see it before I leave his Kincardine home. Rookie move on my part.
The newly manufactured and branded version of the game has refined the board and innovated the casters, now dubbed pucks (how Canadian, eh?), whilst keeping the integrity of the game intact. The mystery comes from the fact that nobody quite knows where it got its start or where the name comes from. Not the mentors at the Legion and so in turn, not even the game’s official company founders either. That didn’t stop them from having a bit of fun with speculative fiction on their website’s History section though.
“We sold 120 sets on day one after the site went live”
The rules and object of the game are rather straight forward. Each board has a hole in the centre and are set up 12 feet apart. Players attempt to toss the puck into the hole with points awarded according to the finished placement of the pucks after all 6 have been tossed (3 per team per round). First team to 21 wins. There are more detailed rules and diagrams included with the set or available on the website. The Waddies Youtube channel also has some tutorials and tips to help answer any questions.
Fun seems to be an overarching theme with this seemingly eclectic group of entrepreneurs. That’s the way it was growing up, the way it is now, and I sense the way it will remain. As serious as they all are about improving the product and expanding the business, no amount of money or business differences could drive a wedge between their friendship. Though it was never explicitly said, I have a very strong inkling that most, if not all, discrepancies could, and possibly are, hashed out with a few matches of the game they grew up playing.
As Trevor explains, because “this is not their full-time gig, and they all have different jobs, watching Waddies’ growth is a fun hobby that they all enjoy.” How this transitioned from a fun hobby to a legit, up and coming, Canadian brand began like many other new and innovative businesses – during the Covid-19 pandemic.
During their regular Zoom calls, the suggestion was offered to bring their childhood pastime to the rest of the world. As Trevor recalls, “why not try to create a marketable product? Build it, redesign it, manufacture it properly, make our own pucks to replace the old furniture casters.”
Skip ahead to the finished product ready for sale. The CW11 launched their website for online orders not knowing what to expect – they weren’t thinking they’d become millionaires, nor was that their principal motivation. “When we started, we literally would have been happy selling a total of 50 sets,” admits Trevor. “We sold 120 sets on day one after the site went live.”
They’ve been getting consistent orders since. With modest marketing efforts to date, the sales have come organically through word of mouth and recognition on their social media platforms.
The boards are proudly made in Alma, and that’s something that the CW11 take a lot of pride in. However, there is the inevitable dilemma that many Canadian business owners face while trying to be cost effective, locally conscious, price competitive and affordable to consumers.
“To scale and grow it bigger, we know we must bring our costs down at some point,” admits Trevor. Before I can get a word out, Trevor beats me to the punch by asking and answering the question that was on the tip of my tongue. “Do we go overseas? I don’t love the idea, but we know we’d be able to offer at a lower price point which would likely attract some growth. We are toying with a few different ideas but really don’t like the overseas option a whole lot. We love Canadian-made and local…its good quality.”
If I am allowed this leash, I’ll posit that growing up in Centre Wellington isn’t completely and entirely different from growing up in Grey Bruce. Obviously each place has its own perks and charms but I think a common denominator would be that we all enjoy relaxing by time spent with friends, listening to music, having involved conversations, partaking in some friendly, competitive games and ultimately revelling in each other’s company. And I dare say we all love a good tournament of any kind.
There is an annual tournament named the Waddies Classic held in Centre Wellington that draws upwards of 100 teams with cash prizes, trophies, entertainment and just an all-around good time. With Trevor now residing in Kincardine, he has founded a new Classic there, as well as having just played their 2nd Annual Beach Tournament in the summer of ’24.
Simply put, Trevor states that “it’s about building community. People gravitate, they have fun surrounded around playing Waddies.”
That’s been the aim of Waddie’s from the get-go – to bring people together and create a community atmosphere wherever that board is whipped out. It’s just as easily played on the beach as it is in your basement or backyard (don’t worry parents or concerned partners, the rubber puck will not scuff or mark-up floors or walls). That being said, I will not make any promises regarding spills or stains that may result from celebrating, emphatic cheers-ing or high fiving. It’s a super fun game and these types of actions are inevitable. So, get the Scotchgard out, put the drinks on ice, loosen up your throwing arm and start chucking some pucks. Waddie you waiting for?
Find yours at waddies.ca
Written by Skye Wilkinson
Photos provided by Trevor Atchison
