MAY 14th – 17th, 2020
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.
Traditional paddling in the mid-west USA continues to grow in support and passion. For many years the Traditional Paddler’s Gathering has provided a great venue at the end of each season for traditional paddlers to get together and share their knowledge and passions. 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 2020, the event is being held for a seventh year. Start your paddling season at Qajaq Camp and end it at the Traditional Paddlers Gathering for a perfect season of Greenland Paddling.
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!
QAJAQ CAMP 2020 T-SHIRT
This year’s exclusive shirt design was created by Qajaq Camp Board Member, Ethan Pope. Ethan’s design combines a traditional qajaq hull shape and the colors (red and white) of the Greenland flag to create a stunning design floating on a blue shirt representing the ocean, his inspiration and the essence of Qajaq Camp.
Registration Now Open
Please follow this link to register. In 2020 we are sticking with the extended format of starting on Thursday so that Friday can be a full day. Those people who wish to can come to camp starting on Thursday afternoon so there will be two and half days of mentoring available. Details of mentors, training and the full schedule will be posted over the coming months as it becomes solidified. Our 2020 dates are May 14th – 17th. This year the event will cost $110 per person including the provided food , which this year will also include a basic breakfast, and camping fees, if you are not a member please consider joining Qajaq USA using this link.
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
Nick Steffey
Ropes & Rolling Mentor
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.
