May 12 – 15, 2022
Qajaq Camp is a non-profit based in Minnesota, our mission is to organize kayak events with the purpose 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.
In 2014, in response to the continued growth in Traditional Paddling, a few local paddlers decided to hold an event at the beginning of the paddling season and so Qajaq Camp was born. In 2022, the event is being held for a eighth year.
The camp is held at Hok Si La Regional park, this facilities includes a huge heated and air conditioned dinning hall for us to use for meals, plus our usual evening events, movies, games, kayak build competition and other shenanigans. The camping will be within feet of the fabulous sandy beach, and there are ample warm showers on site!
COVID-19 Policy
Attending camp this year will be several people who are immune compromised, as a result we are being especially diligent about their safety. During on-site registration we will require everyone to show either proof of complete vaccination protocol (including a minimum one booster) or test negative using either and antigen or a PCR test no more than 24 hours prior to the event. If you are going to use an at-home antigen test, take a timestamped photograph of the negative result (most cellphones can do this) and bring it with you.
2020 QAJAQ CAMP SPECIAL GUESTS:
Anders Thygesen
Qajaq builder & Rolling Mentor
Anders Thygesen is Danish, but has lived in Norway since 1992. He founded Kajakkspesialisten in 1996 and since then has worked on building traditional kayaks, teaching others to build traditional kayaks and giving kayak technique courses. Anders was educated as an outdoors guide at Hagskolen-i-Telemark, and spent 3 years studying as an arts & crafts teacher. He has been involved with the Norwegian Canoe Association since 1998 as a member of Technical Committee for Sea Kayaking. Among other duties he has been responsible for the sea kayak instructor education program in the Norwegian Canoe Association. Anders has helped create numerous great videos, including this one with perhaps the best explanation of why we use the Greenland paddle we’ve heard. It’s really worth a view: The Greenland Style Paddle. Also, don’t miss his A 1000 Hands Ago Video.
Jannie Heegaard
Strokes & Rolling Mentor
Jannie is danish but lives in Norway with Anders where she also works for Kajakkspesialisten. She is a BCU4 leader, the first women to become a danish sea kayak level 3 coach and is also an open canoe instructor. Recently she started SUP paddling and is currently building her first SOF SUP board. A sea kayak instructor since 2004, and since 2008 she has worked in Denmark, Norway and Italy to create sea kayaking symposia and workshops directed specifically toward women. She build her first SOF Qajaq in 2004 and has also built an iqyax. She loves working with the Greenland paddle or the Aleut paddle and has a great passion for traditional kayaking in general. She loves to roll, to teach rolling and to teach others to teach. She has a unique talent for teaching in creative ways with class titles such as “Fun with the Greenland paddle” and “Kayak Ballet”. She holds a bachelor degree in sports science and outdoor life and holds a major in general education.
Danielle Steffey
Rope & Rolling Mentor
In high school, Danielle saw someone paddling with a ‘stick’ and headed over to the store to pick out a piece of cedar and make one herself. At 14 with no woodworking experience, it turned out horribly. However, after a few more rounds of carving she now rarely ever paddles with anything else. Plenty of years have passed since then and she has developed a passion for many aspects of traditional paddling, including ropes, rolling, and qajaq building. Her focus is on enjoying the experiences that the culture provides and learning new things. She is happy to encourage you to try something new or different and will help you take your next step whatever that may be. If you feel stuck on something, come try a new path to your goal.
Nick Steffey
Ropes & Rolling Mentor
Nick is a fun-loving mentor who is up for anything new and interesting. He loves working with beginners looking to get their first roll or to polish an old one up. He specializes in working with anyone who is struggling physically or doesn’t feel completely comfortable under the water. Hailing from Marquette, MI, he is often out paddling Lake Superior and exploring life up North. He loves paddling, rolling, ropes, bonfires, and great food and drink, which pretty much means that camp is his favorite place.
Qajaq USA
In 2018 Qajaq Camp became a sanctioned event of Qajaq USA. If you are interested in learning more about all aspects of Greenland kayaking consider supporting Qajaq USA and Qaannat Katuffiat. 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.