Jacob-Peter, the Kayaker

In recent years, Jacob feels this work has become even more important. Modern Greenland no longer depends on kayaks for hunting in the same way, yet they have gained renewed significance as a cultural practice. Qaannat Kattuffiat, the Greenlandic Kayaking Association, is dedicated to preserving traditional kayaking techniques, including rolling, paddling, and boat building. There are around 23 affiliated local clubs, one of which Jacob-Peter is part of in Sisimiut. “I train kids, youth, and adults. I want to pass it on to everyone.”

At the local construction school, Jacob teaches children, youth, and adults how to build and paddle kayaks. “Passing it on to the next generations is very important to preserve it for our descendants and for our country,” he says. “I understand respect like this: passing on the kayak and the craft of kayak-building.”

The practice continues within his own family. “As they grow, I build them a new kayak every year,” he says. “I notice my kids really love it.” They begin very young; four is the minimum age to start. “Some years I’ve had the experience of becoming a champion myself, and my children have all become champions too. That’s something I’m truly happy about.”

The rolling techniques Jacob speaks of are rooted in a millennia-old Arctic tradition, developed by the Inuit people for hunting and transportation. “Historically, after crossing from Siberia to Greenland, the kayak was further developed here. In that way, it reached its full development in Greenland,” Jacob-Peter explains.

The Greenlandic kayak is long and thin, designed for agility and speed. Traditionally, the frame was crafted from driftwood or whalebone and covered with sealskin to make it watertight. Today, synthetic fabrics sometimes replace the skins, but the principle remains the same: the kayak is an extension of the paddler’s body.

The glove-like fit allows the kayaker to move nimbly and silently through the water, which was crucial when approaching whales, narwhals, and seals for hunting. It also enables advanced rolling manoeuvres, known as Greenlandic rolls, which allow a kayaker to right themselves after capsising. Being submerged for even a few minutes in Arctic waters could be fatal, so mastering these techniques is an essential survival skill to avoid hypothermia. These rolls require precise coordination of hips, breath, and paddle, creating a fluid sweeping motion.

This relationship between body, water, and survival is embedded in the physical construction of the kayak itself. “The [kayaks] you buy don’t fit my dimensions; they’re too big, too wide, too heavy,” Jacob-Peter says. To build kayaks, “there are many steps in the sequence.” He estimates he’s built around 50 boats. “I start by measuring myself, from hips to feet, to the knees. I study the frame, put in my measurements, set the length, and I begin with the gunwales.”

It starts with determining the bottom line and shape of the hull, then setting the keel, bending and fixing the ribs, stretching and sewing the skin, and finally painting the vessel. “I think my ancestors would be very happy with the results we’ve achieved by carrying it on today.”

Jacob-Peter’s story exemplifies how modern Greenlandic practices are anchored in centuries of tradition, emerging from ways of learning to adapt and thrive in Arctic environments. Today, kayaking continues because of a deeply rooted sense respect and honour for tradition in Greenland. It’s a living testament to the resilience of culture, the importance of heritage, and the enduring spirit of Greenland.