Greenland Kayak Club Qaannat Kattuffiat

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Who We Are

Qajaq USA is the American Chapter of Qaannat Kattuffiat - the Greenland Kayak Association. We have members world-wide. Qajaq USA is one of only two affiliated "Qajaq" clubs outside of Greenland. Most "Qajaq" clubs are scattered among the small villages of Greenland and are a major impetus in keeping the local kayaking traditions alive.

Our Mission:

Qajaq USA is a nonprofit membership organization that is officially recognized by Qaannat Kattuffiat (The Greenland Kayaking Association).
Qajaq USA is committed to supporting Qaannat Kattuffiat and their efforts to preserve, study and promote the traditions and techniques of Greenland kayaking while seeking to further the appreciation and development of Greenland-style kayaking in the United States.

Find out more about us»

Latest Qajaq USA News

New Issue of The MASIK
(published September, 2011). Tom Milani, Alison Sigethy and the MASIK newsletter team has created another great issue! The MASIK is Qajaq USA's online newsletter.
Read the MASIK »

Membership and Board Transitions.
October 2008. Jen Torres has resigned her office of Treasurer. At one time Jen was responsible for Membership, Merchandise and Treasurer! We are grateful she is continuing as Director while enjoying a well deserved break .

Ben Fuller has assumed the office of Treasurer. Ben has been a dedicated member of the Board as Advisor and Director. We appreciate his willingness to serve in this expanded role.

Richard Nonas, founding member of the Qajaq USA Board, is retiring as Director but remains as Board Advisor. We value his vision and are grateful for his continued involvement
View Board Members »

Qajaq USA Sanctioned Events.
The Qajaq USA Events Committee has worked to define guidelines for Qajaq USA Sanctioned events. Qualifying events have access to the Qajaq USA demo inventory, as well as financial grants in support of featured speakers. To learn more, please the contact the events committee.

Qajaq USA. Your Greenland Kayaking Resource.

Welcome to the Qajaq USA website! We are a small yet passionate non-profit organization staffed by volunteers. We depend on your membership contributions to fund this website and forums, publish the Qajaq Journal, translate historic manuscripts for publication in the Journal, purchase equipment and supplies for events, organize events and more.

If you visit this website often, view the Greenland forums, and find Qajaq USA to be an interesting and valuable resource, please become a member to ensure that we can continue fulfilling our mission. Join online via PayPal »

Qajaq USA Journal Volume 3 is now available at the Qajaq USA Online Store.
July 10, 2009. Volume three is a special double-issue that contains the first English translation of Kajakmänner (Kayak-Men), originally published in 1896. This is a compilation of first person accounts of life in Greenland in the middle of the nineteenth century.
Read the Letter from the Editor »

John Heath's and Eugene Arima's book, Eastern Arctic Kayaks, is now available at the Qajaq USA Online Store.
February 2012.
Written by John D. Heath and Eugene Arima, Eastern Arctic Kayaks: History, Design, and Techniques “is a comparative study of kayaks that focuses on historical development, design and construction, and techniques” (ix). Part I of the book, by John Heath, is an overview of the Greenland kayak, giving a historical perspective. Chapters by Greg Stamer and Harvey Golden cover paddling techniques and kayaks in European Museums, respectively. The remainder of Part I, with individual chapters written by Hugh Collings, John Brand, H. C. Petersen, and Johannes Rosing, offers examples of historical kayaks, descriptions of kayak sports and exercise, and a narrative of a trip taken at the end of the 19th century. Part II, by Eugene Arima, focuses on kayaks of Eastern Arctic Canada, describing their use, variations, and construction.

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