Nunavut, Canada adventurers plan latest Arctic trip with kayaks

The siblings and their two teammates will travel about 1,000 kilometres from Qikiqtarjuaq to Cape Dorset in Nunavut. (Submitted map) CBC.ca Brother and sister duo from Iqaluit plan to travel across Baffin Island

A brother and sister duo from Iqaluit, the capital city of Canada’s eastern Arctic territory of Nunavut, is planning their latest northern adventure.

This summer, Eric and Sarah McNair-Landry will use handmade kayaks to travel 1,000 kilometres across Baffin Island in Nunavut. They’ll start in the community of Qikiqtarjuaq and end in the community of Cape Dorset.

But first, they have some sewing to do. They’re stretching canvas over a light wood frame, then sewing it tight. Next, they’ll paint the canvas with about four coats of polyurethane. The kayaks are based on the traditional Inuit one, used for thousands of years across the Arctic.

The idea to use kayaks on a trip came after several trips to Greenland where kayaking is still going strong for hunting and national competitions.Eric McNair-Landry, his sister Sarah and two other teammates will travel in traditional Inuit kayaks. (Submitted photo)

“There have been many attempts at revival through just building a kayak, but they all hang in museums or in schools, visitors’ centres, what not. None of these kayaks are actually used,” said Eric, who also runs Pittarak Expeditions.

The four-person team will spend 50 to 60 days on the trip – enough time to get well-acquainted with their custom-made boats.

“In Greenland, there’s 36 different rolls that they can perform in competition, so that’s something that I think we’d like to work towards as well,” said expedition member Katherine Breen.

The frame of a traditional Inuit kayak. (Submitted photo)The kayak they’re making now is just a prototype. Later this year, the team will move their workshop to Inuksuk High School. They’ll recruit students to help them build the boats which will go on the trip, and also try to get more people interested in the sport that Inuit gave to the world.

“It’s not just such an important part of their history, but, I mean, Nunavut’s also an amazing place to sea-kayak,” said Sarah. 

 

 

Related Links:

Iqaluit siblings finish Northwest Passage ski trek, CBC News

Iqaluit duo’s Northwest Passage ski trek nears end, CBC News

For more northern stories from CBC News, click here

CBC News

For more news from Canada visit CBC News.

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

Leave a Reply

Note: By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that Radio Canada International has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Radio Canada International does not endorse any of the views posted. Your comments will be pre-moderated and published if they meet netiquette guidelines.
Netiquette »

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *