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inuit cartography
History
8. Aug 20190

Inuit Cartography

Inuit Cartography

Text and photo: www.decolonialatlas.wordpress.com

In Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), the Inuit people are known for carving portable maps out of driftwood to be used while navigating coastal waters. These pieces, which are small enough to be carried in a mitten, represent coastlines in a continuous line, up one side of the wood and down the other. The maps are compact, buoyant, and can be read in the dark.

These three wooden maps show the journey from Sermiligaaq to Kangertittivatsiaq, on Greenland’s East Coast. The map to the right shows the islands along the coast, while the map in the middle shows the mainland and is read from one side of the block around to the other. The map to the left shows the peninsula between the Sermiligaaq and Kangertivartikajik fjords.

Source: Topografisk Atlas Grønland

greenland roll
Skills
30. Jul 20190

5 basic Greenland rolls by Eiichi Ito

5 basic Greenland rolls by Eiichi Ito

The best animated greenland roll learning material for beginners. Here you find all upper and lower body movements for 3 basic greenland rolls and 2 scullings. Side sculling, standard roll, chest sculling, reverse sweep roll and storm roll. If you ask why? You´ll find some answers here.

Eiichi Ito from Japan:
Hi there, I like the Greenlandic Qajaq culture. Especially, storm roll is my favorite. And I’ve been using “animation” as one of its best training methods. As the CG tool evolves, the content also has to grow. The circumstances will be noted on this blog. I’m glad if you can enjoy it. Thanks.


More info: www.storm-on.com

glowing in the dark
Technology
19. Feb 20180

First glow-in-the-dark Greenland paddle in the market

First glow-in-the-dark greenland paddle in the market

Text by Kessu Siirak
Photo by Björn Nehrhoff

glowing in the water

Want to combine beautiful traditional design with a modern feature that adds to your safety and general awesomeness? Look no further, here is exactly what you are searching for – our BoneEdge Glow.

How does it work

Unlike conventional pigments, photo-luminescent fillers are not primary light reflectors, but are actual sources of light. They absorb radiant energy from sunlight (or artificial lighting) and convert it into longer wavelengths in the visible spectrum, thereby emitting it as light with the sensation of colours. Glow pigments will release light for up to 5-6 hours in darkness and “charge up” in 20-30 minutes.

Safety and durability

Glowing BoneEdge is harmless, non-toxic, non-radioactive and non-hazardous.

Your traditional paddle can have a nifty additional detail that allows you to paddle quietly in the dark, yet not loose sight of each other. The fluorescent eye on your blade is pretty cool and works all night but of course be aware that it is no substitute for proper safety gear that makes you visible to other crafts and vessels.

Skills
15. Feb 20180

5 reasons to go for a Greenland paddle

5 reasons to go for a Greenland paddle

Text by Kessu Siirak
Photo by Björn Nehrhoff

There is no side to choose between the Euro blade and Greenland paddle – they each have pros and cons so I won’t argue the supremacy of either, rather just highlight the ways in which the Greenlander has enriched my paddling experience and for sure will level up yours!

1.

The Greenland paddle is a natural piece of time-hewn wisdom, it is equipment that has been improved and perfected over thousands of years and you feel all that flow when paddling traditionally. It’s a whole new sensation that, funnily enough, may throw you off the first couple of tries because it requires a bit of mastering to sincerely be enjoyable, but once you achieve that, with not too much effort, you know you are hooked to the natural vibe of a traditional paddle for life.

2.

Going on the water, I always bring both. There is a time and place for each and for me, I like to start out to sea with my Euro blade and swap paddles half way through, especially on longer trips, because the Greenlander is so fluent and swift that it asks little to no effort from your joints, plus being so compact and light it is a nice back-up to have on your deck. It is interesting and very liberating to swap technique mid-trip, as going from the Euro blade to a Greenland paddle, where your paddling becomes more fast paced but lighter, allows you to rest and recuperate to last long trips so it’s kind of a must-have for lengthy sea kayak trips.

3.

Rolling and sculling – there is no match for a Greenland paddle. The freedom and variety you can have rolling your kayak with a wooden paddle is amazing. The pure buoyancy of the Greenlander helps to make sense of rolling, not to mention it makes the whole thing easier, because the paddle’s shape always tells you for sure, how it’s positioned so learning to roll is a very natural process, using the Greenlander.

4.

Greenland paddling technique differs from Euro blade and the easiest way to learn it is simply to go with the flow. It won’t allow you to make the wrong moves as you feel it right away, the dithering of the blade. Just sense the movement of the paddle …and maybe also watch some videos on YouTube – there are plenty. The paddling options a Greenlander gives you are vast, because the shape of the paddle allows you to effortlessly shift your hands on the paddle to allow power strokes and smooth turning.

5.

Last but not least – the Greenland paddle just looks super sweet! There are so many options and variations out there, which means you have the freedom to find the one that is right for you. The Greenland paddle, besides being enjoyable and eerily quiet, is significant and has a history of it’s own, which is something you can truly appreciate.