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Greetings from the Qajaq Aviisiiliortut - Qattaarneqqattaarneq.com/PDFs/Comp2015/QAJAQ AVIISI...
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Greetings from the Qajaq Aviisiiliortut
4 July 2015
The Greenland National Kayak Competition for 2015 is about to start on Monday here in Sisimiut. The annual
celebration of Greenland Kayak tradition includes racing, rolling, harpoon throwing, and rope gymnastics. Held
usually in early July the event lasts about a week and ends with the determination of an overall male and female
champion. The winning team is also determined. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Qaannat
Kattuffiat (the Greenland Kayak Association). It is also the 15th year the competition has been open to foreigners.
The field of top contenders expected to attend this year, include the following who have previously won the title at
least once:
Maliina Amondsen from Nuuk,
Karla Reimer from Ilulissat,
Jens Peter Jeremiasen from Ilulissat,
Marie Kristine Samuelsen, formerly of Paamiut, now living in Nuuk,
Kristian David Josefsen from Nuuk,
Kunnuunguaq Davidsen from Sisimiut,
Ulunnguaq Josefsen from Nuuk, formerly Ulunnguaq Rosbach of Sisimiut.
Upcoming participants attending this year who are possibly on the verge of winning the title include:
Erik Amondsen from Nuuk,
Karen Marie Jensen from Ilulissat,
Pia Jensen from Ilulissat.
International competitors attending this year include:
Freya Fennwood and her father John Fennwood from the USA
Mats Hallberg from Sweden
Dubside will compete in Allunaariaqataarneq
In our next bulletin we will look in more detail at each of these competitors and their past records. We will also focus
on the younger age categories. These start with the 4‐6 years olds, on up through the teenage divisions. Several
outstanding competitors in these groups have the potential to become champions in years to come.
The number of expected participants this year is about 100, an encouraging sign. From a high of approximately 150
people in 2006 the numbers dropped to a low of 50 in 2010, but have been steadily rising every year since then. The
skill levels have followed a general rising trend, and several records have been broken as many competitors have
trained hard and come with impressive abilities.
Those familiar with the competition history know that Maligiaq Padilla, originally from Sisimiut, has won the title an
unprecedented 9 times, beginning his string of wins with a stunning upset in 1998 at the age of 16, the only kayaker
to ever win the title before he reached his 18th birthday. However, he is not expected to attend this year. Residing
these days in Kotzebu, Alaska, with his wife and two young children, he has indicated a desire to retire from active
competition and let a new generation of kayakers take over. Yet it must be noted that Maligiaq has expressed the
same or similar sentiments as far back as 2005, later changing his mind and continuing to compete.
As of Saturday night the Qaqortoq team has arrived in Sisimiut. The team from Ilulissat is due to arrive tomorrow.
Excitement is starting to build as another year gets underway. With this communication we at Qajaq Aviisii aim to
give you full coverage of the Championship as it happens.
Takuss’
Qajaq Aviisii
July 6 2015 Sisimiut, Greenland
Today the competition will start. Weather forecast calls for sunny and dry, and a good deal warmer than yesterday,
which got up to 10 C. The spring/summer season got off to a late start here. There was snowfall in early June. In fact
there are still a few patches of unmelted snow by the roadways but they are disappearing fast. The mountains and
hillsides still have large areas of snow on them.
The morning is scheduled to begin with the arrival of the ferry from the north, bringing the Ilulissat team just in time
for the opening procession to the church, for service and following that the laying of flowers at the grave of those
who dies at sea – many kayakers included. In the afternoon the naatsumut parrunneq (short distance race) will be
held, starting with the children’s age categories, followed by the teens, and adults.
Looking at the lineup, we have the latest information on last-minute changes.
Kunuunnguaq Davidsen, the 2012
champion, who regularly finishes in
the top three, has dropped out of the
competition this year. He certainly
would have been one to watch, as he
holds the record for highest rolling
score, and can often succeed at
nusutsinneq (the walrus pull). He
grew up with Maligiaq, both of them
competing as teenagers.
Jorgen Leander another of Maligiaq’s peers from Sisimiut has also dropped out. Jorgen has been one of the faster
kayakers in the races. His daughter, Camilla, will however compete – in a qajaq that her father build for her - she
won 2 gold and 2 bronce medals last year.
Another disappointing cancellation is Heine Biilmann, now 15 years old. Last year he made an impressive entry into
kayak competition by winning most of his races. He also had such a dependable roll, he was doing victory rolls at the
end of races, like many of the top men do. This involves rolling without a tuilik on and in the frigid arctic water takes
considerable nerve.
Looking at the men’s 20-34 lineup there are ten entrants – and it is in this group that Qajaqer of the Year will be
found. Jens Peter Jeremiassen, last year’s champion could be the favorite, but watch out for Erik Amondsen from
Nuuk. Erik is a very skilled skier in the winter time, and was last seen in a
qajaq in 2010 where he came in second place. Has he been practicing? We
will find out. Naatsumut, the short distance race, makes a good initial
evaluation of speed to sort out who the top competitors are, so today’s
results will reveal a lot. Also important will be how Erik does
allunaariaqattaarneq - the ropes - scheduled for Tuesday. In 2009 he scored
over 500, something very few others have done. Jaffet Davidsen, of the
Sisimiut team has long been a strong component of the 20-34 men’s group,
but the new arrival in the 20-34 category is Ulloriaq Davidsen who just turned
20.
1Jørgen Leander at the Qajaq Sisimiut clubhouse, preparing his daugter’s qajaq
3-Kununnguaq Davidsen in QU13 Ilulissat
2-Camilla Leander ready for QU15
4Ulloriaq Davidsen in allunaariaqataarneq in Qaqortoq 2014
Several of the other entrants are familiar names – Angut Davidsen (Jaffet and Kununnguaqs’s little brother),
Kaaspaaraq Petersen and Martin Skade Jensen from Iluissat. However none of these, nor the two men from
Qaqortoq are signed up for rolling. Missing the two rolling events, individual and team, doesn’t necessarily mean
they can’t win the title, but it doesn’t put them at an advantage. We will analyze scoring in more detail later.
For the women’s 20-34 group, we can see right away that Marie Kristine
Samuelsen, a four time champion (2005, 2007, 2008, 2012) is going to be
competing in the 35-49 group. Likewise for Ulunnguaq Josefsen, the
champion in 2004 and 2006. Ulunnguaq in recent years has been
handling the competition administrative tasks. She also became a mother
last year and is pregnant again (congratulations [bischluarit] ) yet still
intent on competing this year. Her husband Kristian David Josefsen, the
champion 2006 and 2010 is competing this year but in the 35-49 group.
So the field of 20-34
women is down to nine.
The standouts are Karla
Reimer from Ilulissat,
last year’s champion,
who has her work cut
out for her with the
return of Malina
Amondsen (Champion 2009. 2001) who, like her brother Erik, has not
appeared in competition since 2010. Karla Reimer has not signed up for
kinngusaqattaarneq / rolling. In fact only three of the women are signed
up for all eight events: Malina, Ulunnguaq (we are not sure about letting
a pregnant women do ropes) and Karen Marie Jensen. Karen will be
exciting to watch. She has participated in the kayak competition for years and has placed in the top three a few
times since becoming 20. For years she has held the women’s record on ropes, and it is known that she has strong
rolling skills. We have not seen here the last two years due to the fact that she became a mother (congratulations).
Karen Marie’s little sister Pia is also a contender. Pia has been attending for many years and has also finished in the
top three more than once.
This is the end for now, we’ll return when there’s more to tell.
5Malina Amondsen in Paamiut 2012, ready for individual rolling / Iligikkarluni kinngusaqattaarneq.
7Karla Reimer doing a great harpoon throw in Qaqortoq 2014
6Karen Marie Jensen doing the "Palluussineq aapaa sakissap" on the ropes, all the way back in 2011 in Sisimiut.
Qajaq Aviisii
Monday night 6 July 2015
Quick results:
The very first winners of 2015 are Ivalo
Jerimiassen and Ivalo Reimer the first and
second place finishers in the 4‐6 year old girls
category. They are both on the Ilulissat team.
In the championship Man/Woman of the Year
races Malina Amondsen finished first nearly a full minute ahead of Karla Reimer. Sorine Reimer came in third more
than a minute later. If Malina has the same kind of speed in the longer races she will be the one to watch for this
year’s title. We have seen in past years that she rolls quite well, so the harpoon events may be the deciding factor.
1Malik Jensen fights to a
bronze‐medal out of 8 competitors!
For the men’s 20‐34 race Jens Peter Jeremiassen took a strong lead, followed closely by Martin Skade Jensen, both
from Ilulissat. Erik Amondsen did not look as strong off the starting line, but he had a surprise up his sleeve. By the
end of the race he was a full minute ahead of Jens Peter. Jaffet Davidsen had passed Martin Skade Jensen for third
but was still a minute and a half behind Jens Peter. Angut Davidsen was fifth. Although it doesn’t count for points we
would like to note that Jaffet Davidsen made this year’s first victory roll and then coaxed Jens Peter to do one.
All of the results can be found on the Qajaq Sisimiut facebook page, under “files”. Tuesday is both ropes and
individual rolling, a busy day for all.
A special note should be made of monday’s short races for women 35‐49, where Elisabeth Jensen – despite a history
of capsizing due to a club qajaq that was really built for kinngusaarneq and not for newcomers – set out for the race,
trembling on the inside and slightly wobbling on the outside. She had borrowed a qajaq that first broke a deckline,
causing a hole in the hull that needed to be repaired. It was a tremendous victory when she – last but completely on
her own – paddled across the finish line. Such are the tiny stories that make for great people.
Qajaq Aviisii 4
Rope Exercises were held on Tuesday July 7, 2015 starting around 9:30
in the morning with the children ages 4‐6.
The rope exercises, which are called allunaariaqattaarneq in
Greenlandic are the only event that takes place without getting into the
water in a kayak. There are more than 70 different variations of
hanging on the ropes and swinging all the way around, each with
left/right, forward/backwards variations and a score based on
difficulty. Every competitor gets half an hour to do as many as they can.
Most of the children have been active on the ropes before they got
comfortable in a kayak.
Looking at the up‐and‐coming ropes competitors gives us an idea of
who the future top kayakers might be. Aka Malik Enoksen from Sisimiut (see
photo) in the boys 10‐12 group was very impressive with 178 points. Even Maligiaq
Padilla was not scoring this high when he was that age.
Karl Peter Jonathansen has been outstanding on ropes for the past several years.
This is the second year he has scored higher than Maligiaq’s best record. But
looking at the ropes competition history, perhaps the most outstanding ropes
record for boys is the 325 points Sisimiut’s Jens Jakob Davidsen performed in 2006
when he was only 12 years old. Unfortunately he never topped this score when he 4Pia Jensen from Ilulissat preparing to do peqquullugu.
3Aka Malik Enoksen sets up for qupaloraarsuusaarneq
2Ivinnguaq Ane Olsen ready for singernermillugu
1Mona Jensen begins nammaassaariarneq and Jens Christian Davidsen half way
through the the same nammaassaariarneq
moved up to the 13‐14 group, and he stopped competing
before he was 16. While Tuesday’s ropes event was in
progress, Jens Jakob, who is now twenty years old, came by
to watch. During a break he talked to with Karl Peter
Jonathansen, the outstanding ropes expert from today
conferring his counterpart from the previous generation.
With so many participants competing in ropes the day was
long and by 7 or 8 pm all the children, teens and women
were finished. Rather than go on into the late hours the
men’s 20‐34 was postponed until probably Friday.
To see more about how the rope exercises are done and
scored go to qattaarneq.com. You can also look up past records and names of participants going all the way back to
the first competition in 1987. The Qajaq Sisimiut facebook page has this information gathered in an Excel‐database
under “Files”.
The individual rolling competition was held at the same time as the ropes exercises, but in a different location. We
have the full results at the facebookpage (under “files”) but worth
noting is that the foreigners did fantastic well and were far ahead in
each of their categories: Sandie Debois from France, Freya Fenwood
from USA and the final competitor of the day was Mats Hallberg from
Sweden, who even tried nusutsinneq (the walrus pull). He was not
successful, because the decklines on his Black Pearl wooden kayak were
elastic bungie cords, which unlike sealskin, stretch too much to hold the
norsaq in place where the rope line is tied.
Angerlaq Olsen from Ilulissat did also the walrus pull but was
disqualified due to a loosened tuilik – which means that all of her previous rolls count for nothing – so are the official
rules.
5Karl Peter Jonathansen and Jens Jakob Davidsen
Despite first place on Monday in the short
distance race, both Erik and Maliina
Amondsen said they had not been
practicing – same as they said about their
rolling. To say that you haven’t been
practicing and aren’t very good, especially
if you have been practicing and are very,
very good is very much like what a seal
hunter in the old days would say.
(foto by Kendra Pierre‐Louis from todays kinng. Of
an unknown Qajartortartoq)
Qajaq Aviisii 5
Results of the short distance race are in. The weather was sunny, dry with a slight breeze down by the water. Very
nice except for the mosquitoes – a typical summer in Greenland. There was a good turnout of curious spectators to
cheer on their favorite competitors. The Men 15‐17‐years of age race was only completed Friday afternoon, since
the leading boat originally had taken a wrong route because they hadn’t been provided with an updated route map.
In the hard wind Noah John Davidsen won, followed by Gerth Johansen – son of the brave Elisabeth, whom we
wrote about earlier.
The distance of 5,7km was
used for all of the men
from 18 and up: 18‐19, 20‐
34, 35‐49 and 50‐59. By
comparing them, it’s
revealed that Erik
Amondsen certainly is the
fastest (35:19) but Jens
Peter Jeremiassen’s second
place (both guys are in the 20‐34‐group) actually was slower than two men from the 35‐49‐group: Hans Kristian
Olsen and Jørgen Kristiansen. Jeremiassens 36:33 was 25 seconds slower than Olsen and 9 seconds slower than
Kristiansen. Also the third place of Jaffet Davidsen wasn’t as fast as Torben Johansen of the 50‐59’ers who with 37:38
was 20 seconds faster. In the women’s race Angerlaq A. Olsen (35‐49) was – with 32:32 on the 4,8km – exactly a
minute ahead of Malina Amondsen of the 20‐34’s and 4:13 faster than 18‐year old Camilla Leander. Angerlaq also
won the women’s long distance, but we will only have the details later. The oldboys – and girls ‐ are still strong
qajatortartut!
We would
have liked to
see John
Pedersen (50‐
59) and John
Eliassen (35‐
49), both
from Ilulissat,
on the
starting line.
Pedersen – whom for many years have spent
considerable time and effort on the qajaqing
sport – was on the partipants list, but had to
cancel, and “both Johns” have paddled in
many QUs as, and amongst, the fastest
competitors in their age group. Last year also
benefitted from Steen C. Nielsen, whom ‐
according to our database – only partakes
every 6th year of so, but whom last year won everything in his age group without problems. We’ll be looking forward
to seeing those three again…. Although we might have to wait a while for Steen.
1Underneath is John Eliassen (+ son) next to Steen C. Nielsen, at a medal ceremony 2015. (foto by Heather Adams) Steens wife Idun is also a strong paddler, competing in QU15. Left is John Petersen from last year.
Results from Tuesdays rolling competition / ataas.
kinngusaqattaarneq: The foreigners of the
international class scored much higher than the
Greenlandic competitors. Why is this? Well, first of
all it must be noted that both Freya Fenwood of
the USA and Mats Halberg from Sweden were not
using sealskin tuillit (tuiliks). Sealskin does not
stretch as much as neoprene and is not as buoyant.
It also does not provide as much insulation against
the cold water. On the other hand – as Sandie
Debois from France showed after her individual
rolling – a tuilik of sealskin is completely
waterproof.
To perform the rolling maneuvers a person needs to use their bodily flexibility to lay against the kayak either forward
or backward as much as possible. Sealskin’s stiffness, especially if it has not been prepared properly by being rubbed
with seal fat or laid in water for several hours, hinders the movements needed to do the more difficult rolls. So in
looking at high rolling scores the type of tuilik should be taken into account, even though the records do not indicate
this. The foreign participants in International class can use them because they “don’t count”, but the rules say that
participants in QU must use tuilik or akkuilissaq / spray skirts of sealskin.
However, another obvious reason should be taken into account: time for practice and the weather: all of the
Greenlandic competitors are amateurs, and if they’re not elite sportsmen in other disciplines, have very little time to
practice. Like Erik Amondsen in skiing, he pointed this out to us despite his own surprise at this coincidence. This is
unlike for example Freya Fenwood or Dubside who have made rolling into something of a lifestyle and livelihood.
And in Greenland there’s really only ice free shorelines and a bearable water temperature from late May through to
early October. Mats Hallberg also agrees, although he did also train some in the cold period just outside of
Stockholm in his native Sweden.
Back in the day ‐ at least in west Greenland because no one hunts
from qajaqs here any longer ‐ the hunters would naturally need to
still set out during winter, but today people simply only train in
the few months of summertime. That’s a fact, and it shows.
Having said this, the results from this year include two
competitors in the 35‐49 group who we know have rolled much
better years ago. Taking time off for family and other obligations
is certainly understandable, and it is nice to see them
participating again. However, our database shows that Pavia
Tobiassen has a best of 272 in 2003, and has exceeded the 250 level multiple times. This year it looks as though he
has not practiced for a long time. He just barely fell short of the 50‐point minimum qualifying score for men. Kristian
3Sisimiuts HP Jeremiassen in 2014 rolling over to begin the pusillini Paarneq
2foto of Karl Larsen taken by Heather Adams in Qaqortoq 2014
David Josefsen had a personal best of 278 in 1999, and these records were set back when the rolling list was only 30
maneuvers long. In 2007 the list was extended to 35 maneuvers, making the maximum possible score over 350.
The absolute highest possible rolling score cannot be stated exactly because of
pusilluni paarneq, (paddling upside down for distance). If you could paddle for a
kilometer on one breath within half an hour you could theoretically get one thousand
points. According to Efraim Adolfsen, one of the last surviving seal hunter of
Qaqortoq, who passed away in 2010, a seal hunter would be trained from childhood
to hold their breath for a long time. And by the time they were an adult they could do
it as long as a seal.
The flexibility, coordination, and timing that the ropes require are the same qualities
needed for the rolls. But a person has to overcome the fear of being underwater –
upsidedown. Karen Marie Jensen from Ilulissat, who has been the best woman in
allunaariaqattaarneq (ropes exercises) for many years, learned to roll in 2009 yet seems to have gotten discouraged.
Seeing her perform on the ropes one can tell she has not yet reached her full potential in kinngusaaqataarneq
(rolling). On the Sisimiut team Hans Peter Jeremiassen is very impressive rolling, and last year he braved the icy
water in Ilulissat during the rolling competition, which many of the competitors say is noticeably colder. Why isn’t
Karl Peter Jonathansen, who is so talented on the ropes, rolling as well? Gerth Johansen, like Hans Peter in the 15‐17
group, can roll, so the Sisimiut team has no lack of coaching talent.
Thursday was long‐distance‐day and the evening ended around midnight after the mens 16,2km route, changing
between calm waters in the bay and the rough waves outside – only one kayaker capsized and two had to give up, so
it was a fine race. And as far as we know, Erik Amondsen won in front of Jens Peter Jeremiassen, then Pavia
Tobiassen and Martin Skade Jensen. We’ll tell more when we know more.
5Uiloq Jessen in her Qajaq, that like most from Qaqortoq, is red with straight stern and bow, arrives after 9,6km Long distance.
4Ephraim Adolphsen in 2008, age 82, observing the QU in Qaqortoq
Qajaq Aviisii 6
Another year of the Greenland National Kayak Championship has come to an end. We will summarize the last week’s
highlights.
In the men’s 20‐34 portage race Erik Amondsen lead the pack consistently. At the second portage the waves coming
into shore made launches tricky. Several competitors couldn’t get the akuilisaq on fast enough to prevent the next
wave from spilling into the kayak, making it necessary to get out, empty the qajaq, and start over.
The women’s group, using a course not
as long that did not include beach launch
the men had to negotiate, found Malina
Amondsen holding the lead.
In each of the races a pattern developed
wherein Jens Peter Jeremiassen usually
came in behind Erik, and either Sorine or
Karla Reimer took second behind Malina
Amondsen.
The unfinished allunaariaqattaarneq
competition from Tuesday was
rescheduled to Friday evening, and
relocated to be closer to the on‐water
2Jaffet Davidsen, always a jokester, still found time to pose for the camera in the middle of a tiring race.
1‐Erik Amondsen is about to be surprised ‐ the wave will in a second fill his Qajaq and he will have to get out and empty his qajaq of water, before reentering.
4Erik Amonsen leading the way in the portage race shortly after start
3(left) Edgar Markussen doing Pakassummillugu (Right) Knud Jensen coached by daughter Karen Marie.
activities. Tuesday’s location was at a spot in town next to the lake where it was done in 2011. But this year the
uprights had been placed ahead of time with a spacing of only 3 meters apart, leading some people to complain that
the rules say they should be wider. On Friday the ropes were suspended from the corners of the shipping containers
which happened to be spaced at the full six meters, allowing the men’s category to be done in compliance with the
official rules.
Erik Amondsen, with a personal
allunaariaqattaarneq best of over 400 in
2004, managed to make 309, certainly a
respectable score, but not enough to get a
gold medal this time. It was Ulloriaq
Davidsen in his first year with the 20‐34
group who beat Erik by 60 points. We expect
to see Ulloriaq get better and better in the
future.
Karen Marie Jensen, with 189 points
resumes her top women’s ropes position
after a two year hiatus. Malina Amondsen
finished fourth with 105, behind Sorine
Reimer (146) and Pia Jensen (113).
In rolling, Jaffet Davidsen outrolled Erik Amondsen
217 to 159.5 with Jens Peter Jeremiassen in third
scoring 111.
In team rolling competition Nuuk’s trio of Erik
Amondsen, Pavia Tobiassen and Kristian Josefsen
with 77 points defeated Ilulissat’ Jens Peter
Jeremiassen, Abel Jakobsen, and Jens Jensen’s 48.5
points.
Malina M. Amondsen had a 135 point towards the
title “qajaq woman of the year”, far ahead of Sorine
Reimer who has 100. Since the difference was
greater than 21 points , it means that she could have
skipped one of her 1st place finishes, skipped the
race entirely and still won the title. Brother Erik
Amondsen, however, finished much closer to Jens
Peter Jeremiassen when the point totals were added
up, 149 versus 141. Looking closer at the event
totals, Jeremiassens rolling team did 48,5 points –
1,5 point shy of a qualifying score, leaving them with
a zero for team rolling. Had they made one more roll
and qualified, that second place finish would’ve
given them each 18 points which would easily have
put Jens Peter ahead of Erik – thus making HIM
kayaker of the year!
5Ulloriaq Davidsen ina peaceful moment before relay races
Thus, at the awards dinner, Erik Amondsen (1st) was named Qajaq man of the year, with Jens Peter Jeremiassen in
second and Jaffet Davidsen in third place – and Malina Amondsen Qajaq qoman of the year, with Sorine Reimer in
second place and Pia Jensen in third. The just as coveted team trophy was won by Ilulissat – if they win it next year
ae well, they get to keep it for ever!!
Several honorees were named: Alibak Augustussen, who had spent many years on starting and running Qajaq clubs
in Maniitsoq and Sisimiut, and Kaleeraq Bech and his wife Lone, who started Qajaq Sisimiut. In 1999 and 2000
Kaleeraq played a major role in facilitating the formation of QajaqUSA, the American affiliate of Qaannat Kattiffiat
and last year, Kaleeraq was honored by Qajaq Sisimiut for his many years of service and dedication.
Qajaq Nuuk rises again
For a long time Qajaq Nuuk, Qajaq Sisimiut, and Qajaq Ilulissat were the
major players in the Championships. They sent the largest teams,
dominated the team trophy standings, and fielded most of the top
contenders for Man/Woman of the Year. Qajaq Qaqortoq and Qajaq
Paamiut have also had a strong presence, yet lately Qajaq Paamiut has
gone dormant, and one of their top members, Marie Kristine Samuelsen
moved to Nuuk – and competed this year on their behalf.
Of the three largest teams, Qajaq Nuuk’s presence at the competition surprisingly dropped down to just about
nothing in the last three or four years, a significant factor in the low numbers of competitors during this period.
Arriving this year with only ten members, including three new faces we haven’t seen before: Marie Heilmann
Josefsen, Aputsiaq Petersen, and Ujarneq Tobiassen; Nuuk did not have any big expectations other than taking
another step towards rebuilding the team in the next few years. But as this week’s events got underway they
became caught up in the excitement as they realized that both the Man and Woman of the Year titles were within
reach.
6(top left) Alibech, (bottom left) Kaleeraq today, and (above) Kaleeraq in the Awards ceremony in Sisimiut 1994 – it was actually Alibach who made and gave the present, a cut‐out profile of a qajaq.
By the week’s end their strong races results meant that first place finishes in harpoon, ropes and rolling weren’t
necessary, and their overall totals gave each of them a comfortable margin of victory.
How to out‐Maligiaq Maligiaq
In the old days kayak greatness was defined by how many seals a hunter could catch. The act of towing home five or
six seals or a big walrus spoke for itself. Nowadays we have the Kayak Championship. In the 30 year history of
Qaannat Kattuffiat only Maligiaq Padilla has won the title more than three times, and his nine wins are indeed a
great achievement. But the purpose of holding the Championships has always been to pass on awareness and
respect for the skills and techniques of kayaking to the next generation. In the Qajaq clubs we have mothers, fathers,
and their children at many different age levels taking part year after year. This is as it should be. What better way to
pass on kayaking than have your own son or daughter win the year’s title. And what could
be greater than to have both titles won in your own family in the same year?
And so we feel that Jenseeraq Amondsen is the real winner for 2015. He is also probably
the happiest, proudest man today in Sisimiut. From the early years up to around 2011
Jenseeraq has been the president, vice president, treasurer and we can’t remember what
else of Qaannat Kattuffiat. He has dedicated much of his life to kayaking and Qaannat
Kattuffiat, devoting countless hours and resources. If you have enjoyed the historical
angles of our competition coverage, when we cite past high scores or note which years a
8Jenseeraq Amondsen at the start of QU15
7Noah John Davidsen after relay
particular competitor has been present or absent, you should know that this information would not have been
available without Jenseeraq’s dedication to cataloging and maintaining Qaannat Kattuffiat’s archives. If he had not
had the foresight to hold on to the thousands of pages of documents that now make up these records, we would
only be able to venture guesses as to names and scores from years ago.
Kayaking skills, particularly the rope exercises and rolling maneuvers, evolved over time by someone performing a
difficult thing, and then someone else doing it even better in a way that was a little more difficult. If anyone is going
to beat Maligiaq’s record of nine championship wins, it will take them a long time. But Jenseeraq Amondsen has
raised the challenge even higher: teach your children the kayaking tradition, then have them win both Championship
titles in the same year – exactly the 30th anniversary for the rejuvenation of qajaq in it’s ancient homeland
Maligiaq and his wife Elizabeth now have a daughter and a son. It will take them at least fifteen years to match
Jenseeraq’s achievement. Can they do it? We will see.
Next Year: Nuuk 2016
For those of you in English‐speaking countries, we are aware that often in
the past the only news you would hear about the Greenland
Championships was either that Maligiaq won, or that he didn’t attend, and
this news wouldn’t be circulated until weeks afterwards. We were aiming
to give you daily stories as they happened, as well as highlight some of the
lesser known names and faces involved, but as this is our first attempt to
do so, we ran into various obstacles including an exhausting pace, logistical
challenges, and lack of time to sleep. Perhaps some of our typographical
errors, factual inaccuracies, and translation differences made this
apparent.
Knowing that there is interest in traditional
kayaking around the world, and that travels
costs are often prohibitive, we feel that
better communication and awareness will
most effectively strengthen and unite us. We
here at Qajaq Aviisii are only today starting
to recover from an exhausting week, and
aren’t quite ready to think about next year.
But it is possible – maybe – that we will
9Playing on the ropes a few days before QU begins
10Elias Inusugtok ‐ another important man – a lifelong strong qajartortartoq and builder of qajaqs.
regroup and have another go in 2016 in Nuuk.
We hope that with this coverage, we have shown that kayaking in Greenland is far more than one person’s name or
one year’s events. It’s the togetherness / ataqatigiinneq, it’s the pride of a continuing tradition, and it’s the victory of
a simple wooden skeleton covered by a flimsy cloth that to this day braves the waves of the rough coasts in a harsh
climate.
Thanks for your interest
11One of the "dead" qajaqs outside the Sisimiut Clubhouse. It only needs a new fabric skin and a paaq / manhole, and it's ready for duty ‐ after all these forgotten years.