Menu Links |
Greenland Paddling... Welcome to the Qajaq The Inuit people migrating across the artic regions of North America arrived in Greenland around 1000 years ago. They brought with them the Qajaq, or the "hunter's boat". Since the ocean was the source of their food, paddling their Qajaqs was not an optional activity; it was the basis of their survival. They pushed the art of paddling to the limit and became the world's greatest paddlers. Meanwhile, Europeans arrived in the artic and the results were unfortunately predictable. In Alaska and across most of the artic, native cultures were largely wiped out. In Greenland, however, the native culture survived. While most of the people of Greenland abandoned their qajaqs for more modern craft, pockets of Inuit people in Greenland kept their qajaq-culture alive into modern times. And from these people and their descendents, we can learn Greenlandic kayaking. Greenland kayaking is characterized by three unique features. First, they use narrow, hard-chined kayaks with gently upswept bow and stern. These kayaks were custom fit to the paddler and in many ways were an extension of the paddler's body. Second, the paddles they used were long and narrow. In the hands of a skilled Greenland-style paddler, these paddles are powerful and incredibly versatile. Finally, Greenland kayakers NEVER come out of their boats. Hence, they refined rolling into a fine art form. Today, Greenland-style kayaking is growing in popularity around the world. The Greenland stroke is easy on the joints. The paddle is buoyant and supports a range of unique rolls and braces. And the versatility of the paddle means as conditions change, the paddle (and associated techniques) will be ready to adapt to meet your needs. Contact me at qajaq@inkdrop.net if you want to learn more about Greenland style paddling. |