There has been an explosion in Greenland kayaking techniques and designs, there is no doubt about it. I'd like to think I was a pioneer what with my first sea kayak being a skin-on-frame (uh... an ancient - even then - 2 place Folbot) in about 1971. Ahem! But enough about me.... Last month George Gronseth's Kayak Academy in Issaquah, WA (about 15 miles east of Seattle) held a Greenland competition. Judges included Dubside and Maligiaq Padilla; both of whom are highly regarded in Greenland paddling circles. The top award was a Golden Harpoon from Maligiaq's own personal collection. I did not attend despite my well-known prowess in the half-roll (a skill notably - and inexplicably - missing from the competition, I might add) but the Dash Point Pirate has (as usual) an excellent article covering the competition (which he won, by the way) along with a video interview of Dubside. The Pirate also discusses what the principals of this year's competition would like to see the event mature into. Namely, a fully-featured Greenland competition including rolling, races, harpoon throwing and ropes; a-la Greenland itself. This sort of event could really boost Greenland skill adoption, in my (occasionally humble) opinion. :) Look at http://dashpointpirate.typepad.com/ for the complete story. The Pirate's blog is so well done I hope for new articles every week. Sometimes he obliges but not always. I guess there has to be time for paddling, too. If you have not yet watched his video interview of Derek Hutchinson (into which Matt Broze injected himself) you should. It's a classic. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA www.nwkayaking.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Proliferation of Greenland kayaking techniques is but another manifestation of global warming, with disintegration of northern ice shields allowing native paddlers to venture southwards and spread their culture to places like New York, Fargo, and Southern California (at least they are not spreading smallpox). And as an added competitive event, how about harpooning of personal watercraft? Brad Quoting Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>: > There has been an explosion in Greenland kayaking techniques and designs, > there is no doubt about it. I'd like to think I was a pioneer what with my > first sea kayak being a skin-on-frame (uh... an ancient - even then - 2 > place Folbot) in about 1971. Ahem! But enough about me.... > > Last month George Gronseth's Kayak Academy in Issaquah, WA (about 15 miles > east of Seattle) held a Greenland competition. Judges included Dubside and > Maligiaq Padilla; both of whom are highly regarded in Greenland paddling > circles. The top award was a Golden Harpoon from Maligiaq's own personal > collection. > > I did not attend despite my well-known prowess in the half-roll (a skill > notably - and inexplicably - missing from the competition, I might add) but > the Dash Point Pirate has (as usual) an excellent article covering the > competition (which he won, by the way) along with a video interview of > Dubside. The Pirate also discusses what the principals of this year's > competition would like to see the event mature into. Namely, a > fully-featured Greenland competition including rolling, races, harpoon > throwing and ropes; a-la Greenland itself. This sort of event could really > boost Greenland skill adoption, in my (occasionally humble) opinion. :) > Craig Jungers > Moses Lake, WA > www.nwkayaking.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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