Rolling a kayak is almost passé these days in Minnesota. We have more people rolling than I can ever remember. At the end of this past winter’s pool season we lined kayaks up sideways across an entire full size swimming pool and everyone (20+ people) rolled, it was...

I am seriously obsessed by the art and craft of Greenland style rolling. This obsession has bought me into contact with a large variety of kayaks, paddles and other gear. Greenland qajaqs, Greenland Paddles, Tuiliks, Harpoons. You name it I have tried it. Many people...

This past extended weekend was centered on the US holiday of Independence Day. The usual fireworks and festivities seem to have lost their original significance in America, to celebrate the Declaration of Independence from the British in 1776. Instead the 4th just...

Rolling a kayak consistently has a lot to do with developing good muscle memory. As we repeat the motion of a roll our body learns the sequences of muscle movements we need to execute to perform it, and we develop muscle memory. When learning a roll we inevitably fail...

A couple of days ago I was driving to work feeling very tired, I took a turn off the highway and found my way to a local coffee house. After standing in line behind the other quiet, sleepy clientele I ordered my shot of caffeine and was handed a few dollar bills of...

I was recently exchanging emails with an online acquaintance, Curt Gashlin, discussing Greenland mentoring. The dialog reminded me of a subject I have been meaning to write about for some time, the differentiation between a Greenland kayaking mentor and a general...

This past weekend I led a three day trip up the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. There were six of us, each at very different places with our paddling skills and experience of paddling Lake Superior. I car pooled with Jeff, bringing along the kayak trailer...

Jacquelyn and I spent a long weekend visiting our favorite North Shore destinations. Much hiking, photography, great food, and a visit to a spa. This view of the Grand Marais Harbor wall and lighthouse is one I have revisited numerous times due to the lovely lichen in...

A good friend of mine, James Manke, recently traveled to Japan where he to took part in a Qajaq rolling event (GUTS) organized by Qajaq Japan. On his return he wrote about the use of the word "boat" being offensive to the Inuit that he met. He was told that as a part...

A great artist does not necessarily a great businessman make. I regularly gripe at Ron at Novorca about his lack of attention to marketing. The carbon fiber Greenland paddle market place has become more competitive in recent years with at least seven commercial...

I am now on the third version of the jig I am constructing to measure and compare Greenland paddle flexibility. The three revisions have improved the jig to a point that I now feel it is good enough to share the details of how it is constructed. The criteria I set...

Winter has decided to squat on Spring in Minnesota this year. We were granted another delightful 8 inches of snow this past week, and have another forecast for this week. Being Minnesotans though we are making the best of it. Video courtesy Peggy O'Neal Despite...