TRADITIONAL / GREENLAND KAYAKING
Intro to Greenland Kayaking | Upcoming Greenland Events | Traditional Kayaking
Traditional / Greenland Kayaking with Sea Kayak Carolina
Kayaking has been around for thousands of years, originating with the peoples living in the Arctic.
Used primarily for hunting, kayaks were made from driftwood frames covered with skins of the seals that fed the
hunters and their families. Europeans “discovered” these kayakers in the 1700s and were amazed by the
skills they demonstrated by rolling their kayaks.
Modern kayaks are based on these traditional skin-on-frame (SOF) kayaks. The modern kayak paddle is
patterned after the European canoe paddle — one reason for the large (lollipop shaped)
blades — rather than the traditional long, thin (skinny stick) blades.
Rarely made from seal skins now, traditional skin-on-frame kayaks are light weight and are
usually made from nylon or cotton canvas and coated to make them waterproof. Traditional paddles are
carved from wood and are unfeathered. True greenland paddles are sized to fit the kayaker: the blade to
the hand grasp, and overall length to the beam of the kayak and the kayakerʼs height. The cross section
of the traditional blade is oval (like a helicopter blade), and symentical — having no power-face or back. And the techniques for
using the traditional paddle differs somewhat from those used with the modern paddle.
Fiberglass materials instead of skin on frame, are used by such outstanding companies as Tahe Marine, keeping the beautiful lines and performance of the greenlandic tradition, while offering a highly seaworthy and functional kayak to enjoy performing the 36 competition rolls and other maneuvers on the open water (given the lack of walrus to hunt).
The skills of traditional kayaking, including rolling, provide guidance to the modern kayaker. The first
Greenland Comprehensive Skills Workshop, supported by Sea Kayak Carolina, was held in Charleston,
SC in October 2010. Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson (of Kayakways, LLC) will be returning in October of
2011 to teach the traditional skills of building and paddling a SOF kayak. See below, and be sure to check the Sea Kayak Carolina schedule for more information. Contact
for questions, comments or suggestions.
Excited about Traditional kayaking? Be sure to take a look at the Tahe Marine Greenland Kayaks, Zegul Baidarka, and the Sea Pearl and Black Pearl kayaks by SeaBird Designs! We stock and can order any Tahe and Zegul kayak of your dreams.
Visit our Greenland & Traditional sister website for information, Traditional kayaking videos, photos, resources and more.
Below is a small sampling of resources for traditional kayaking: the list will continue to grow. Please check Greenland paddling videos.
Upcoming Greenland Kayaking Events
Tuilik Workshop — Make Your Own!
Instructor: Jane Rosalind
Place: Sea Kayak Carolina, Charleston, SC
Participants: Limit 4 - Almost Full -Register now to secure a place!
Next Date: March 3, 2012 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Jane offers this day-long clas several times a year. Cost runs about $200, but varies with the ever-changing price of materials.
Learn to make the "original" splash jacket/sprayskirt! Class will be held in Sea Kayak Carolina's new, spacious, state-of-the-art “tuilik making workshop.” The only skills you need are eagerness to learn and hand strength to cut out a pattern with some accuracy. Pieces will be glued together and seams reinforced with heat seal tape: sewing seams is optional.
At time of registration, please provide the following information:
- Height, weight, and type of kayak cockpit coaming (shape and circumference)*
*Note: tuilik are usually made for smaller, greenland-style cockpits, but allowances can be made to fit them to modern cockpits. Please check with Instructor before registering if you plan to make the tuilik for a modern style cockpit coaming — there may be a small surcharge for extra materials.
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Greenland Comprehensive Skills Workshops
2012 Dates T.B.A.
In these Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson workshops learn the traditional
kayaking skills and tools of the Inuit seal catchers that offer valuable lessons for
the modern day kayaker. Learn Greenland strokes: forward canted, bow and 
stern sweeps, bow and stern rudders, draws, and bracing in this 2-day workshop. Explore Greenland
rolling variations: both layback and forward recoveries with the paddle will be
demonstrated and taught as well as norsaq, hand rolls, etc.
With a maximum student to teacher ratio of 4:1, there is much opportunity for
reaching your individual goals. Learn to use the greenland paddle...strokes maneuvers, rolling and other skills will be taught and refined. Course will run with 6 students, maximum of 8. Contact
for
more information on future workshops or call us at Sea Kayak Carolina (843) 225-7969.
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Greenland Skills Workshop with Alison Sigethy
May 19th–20th, 2012
This is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the modern masters of
Greenland kayaking and Greenland Competitor and Champion.. We are thrilled to have Alison Sigethy return from her featured Greenland skills
workshop with us May 7 & 8, 2011. Both strokes/maneuvers and traditional rolls will be taught. Alison's
effortless and graceful style can be seen in her rolling video.
The 2011 workshop received acclaims by all participants! Some of the comments we received:
"Thank you to Alison and Jane for making this event happen. I can only speak for myself, but I thought it was a great
weekend. As a total newbie to Greenland paddling, I left feeling like I had learned and accomplished a lot.
Alison's approach to coaching was clear yet understated, so I always felt good about what I was getting right
so I was much more amenable to corrections. Also, everyone in the class was good natured and willing to help and share their knowledge. I hope this will become an annual event. Cheers!"
-Virginia
"I'd like to echo everything Virginia said. What a GREAT weekend! I'm not a
newbie to Greenland paddling (well, except for most of the rolls!), but
having such an extended period of time to work on all the basics step by
step was a tremendous opportunity. I learned and relearned so much.
Thanks to everyone and I hope to see you all again on the water."
-
Margaret
We are fortunate to have Alison returning to Sea Kayak Carolina in May, 2012 for the 2nd Annual Traditional Workshop. Please contact
for
more information: Call Sea Kayak Carolina (843-225-7969) to register. Space is limited!
Traditional / Greenlandic Kayaking Resources
QajaqUSA is the American Chapter of the Greenland Kayak Association. The website site has extensive
information (both written and videos clips) on technique, equipment and references, in addition to several
forums. Though they are a volunteer organization, membership provides funds to maintain the website, publication of a journal and e-magazine.
Kayakways, LLC
Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson believe that the traditional kayaking skills and tools of the Inuit seal catchers offer valuable lessons for modern kayakers. In addition to teaching greenland paddling and rolling, their schedule includes traditional kayak building and yoga workshops. Both are Greenland competition champions.
Alison Sigethy's Arctic Adventures
After many years in the corporate world, Alison is now pursuing her love of art and traditional paddling.
She has successfully competed in Greenland. Visit her website and view her rolling videos. View her clip on our videos page to see kayak ballet with her graceful rolling style.
Helen Wilson
Helen Wilson, from Arcata, California, paddles the open ocean in her skin-on-frame qajaq. Never far from
water, she enjoys being underwater as much as being on the surface. She also has competed
successfully in Greenland. Her DVD Simplifying the Roll is now available. View the trailer on our video page.
Fostering a SC Kayak community of paddlers – Sea Kayak Carolina is proud to provide sponsorship for activities like Charleston's East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival and the Berkley Blueways Paddlefest in addition to sponsoring the 300+ member Charleston Sea Kayaking MeetUp Group.
We have tide and weather information on our resources page. We're also pleased to present boat landing information for anyone who wants to kayak South Carolina and our many beautiful waterways. Don't hesitate to contact us if there's other local paddling knowledge we can share.