In recent years kayaking has grown in popularity in the United States, although many people are unaware of the long history that is associated with it. Four thousand years ago people in the Arctic were using qajaqs for hunting and fishing. Their boats were extremely buoyant, made of seal skin and easy to self-right, even if turned completely over.

Rolling the qajaq was an essential self-rescue skill that was learned and was used in case of a capsize. Various rolls were developed to handle any and all situations that might arise, from being entangled in fishing lines, to losing a paddle and needing to roll using hunting equipment; or using only hands or elbows to right oneself.

As the world changed, qajaqs weren’t being used as much for survival, and there developed a concern that the history and culture associated with the sport could be lost. This is why, in 1984, the Greenlandic people started kayaking clubs in several regions in Greenland. Competitions are held yearly and include racing, harpoon throwing, Eskimo rolling and rope gymnastics. The purpose of these competitions is to keep tradition alive, and to teach the skills that the Greenlandic people have used for so many years.

The Greenland National Kayaking Championships take place over the course of a week and are more of a celebration that a serious competition, and all ages, from children to the elderly, compete. In 2008 Helen Wilson competed in these Championships. The purpose of this website is to share her experiences in Greenland, and to help others learn more about the Greenlandic culture, traditional paddling skills and the fun that can be had by learning to roll.