: The fact that the environmental conditions are very different around
: Greenland and the Aleutian Islands of the north Pacific obviously called
: for very difference boat designs.

: The more I learn of Greenland, and study and paddle Greenland designs, I
: understand these boats were designed to handle strong winds in ice fields
: and paddling around ice bergs. Speed was not the greatest design factor in
: a kayak that was used often to transport a hunter to wait at a seal’s blow
: hole. Paddling in big seas was not common. I would like to hear comments
: on these points from some of the paddlers on this BB who have been to
: Greenland and have talked with Greenland paddlers as to weather I’m in
: error here.

Rob,

I think that generalizing Greenland kayaks as simply a vehicle to transport a hunter to an ice hole is a very limiting view. Some areas in Greenland are icebound for a great portion of the year, others have open water year-round. Some areas are protected and others face the full fury of the Davis Strait. Many of the SW and East Greenland kayaks were used exclusively to hunt large sea mammals at sea, the deck crowded with lances, hunting floats, harpoon line and rack and other hunting equipment. It is my understanding that both stealth and speed were required, depending on the game and the hunting tactics employed.

There is an interesting comparison of traditional kayakers in Eugene Arima's book, "A Contextual Study of the Caribou Eskimo Kayak". Arima writes: "The degree of skill developed varied both individually and regionally. Highest skill occurred under a combination of a long open water season, rough and treacherous seas, intensive sea mammal hunting, and an efficient yet demanding form of craft. Certain islands at the warmer ends of the kayak area best fulfilled these conditions and produced the ablest kayakers, notably Vester Eyland (Disko Bay) and Kangeq in West Greenland, Cape Dan in East Greenland, and King Island off West Alaska".

Unlike what I had expected from "common wisdom", the Greenland kayaks that I paddled in Qoornoq, were very difficult to maneuver around the ice. Most had a skeg lashed to the stern to aid hunting and also had limited side rocker due to their narrow, 17 - 19" width. Although much less maneuverable, they were subjectively much faster than my Anas Acuta, with a great glide between strokes. Next time I may take my knotmeter with me.

To date, the biggest paddling conditions that I have experienced was during a 40 - 60 knot gale in Nuup Kangerlua, the massive fiord near Nuuk, where a storm lasted for four days. The video "Amphibious Man" has some great footage of John Petersen playing in the same area during a similar gale.

Greg Stamer