• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search

The Greenlandic kayak

The kayak was a necessity of the Inuits who from an early age learnt to handle this craft. It is still used for fishing but also used for recreation and for races.

THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE KAYAK

The kayak – or ‘qajaq’ as it is called in Greenland – is an invention from old days that has been an essential piece of hunting equipment for Inuits in Greenland and the rest of Arctic North America.

The kayak has been used in connection with sealing, whaling and fishing, and it was common for Greenlandic boys to spend their childhood learning to keep their balance and manoeuvre the kayak.

Today the traditional ‘qajaq’ is still seen in many towns and especially at the annual kayak meeting but for recreational kayaking the more robust sea kayaks made of fibreglass have gradually taken the place of the traditional versions.

Package Tours

Blue Ice Explorer: Traditional kayak experience – 1 day

Blue Ice Explorer

Traditional kayak experience - 1 day

Explore the old inuit culture by paddling in a kayak built using the traditional, greenlandic methods.

FROM €180
Tasermiut Expeditions: Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

Tasermiut Expeditions

Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

8 days trip, kayaking and on foot: complete contact with nature, kayaking and hiking activities, discover Viking ruins in South Greenland.

FROM €2,150
Bowhunting Greenland: Caribou Hunting

BowhuntingGreenland

Caribou Hunting

BowhuntingGreenland offers quality Caribou Hunting only

FROM €6,500
Disko Line: Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Disko Line

Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Experience the beautiful Eqi glacier that runs into the fjord north of Ilulissat.

FROM €327
Show More

TRADITIONAL HUNTING FROM THE KAYAK

The kayaks were adapted to the waters in which they were used, and there is therefore a great variation in terms of both the kayak’s design and construction method.

Earlier the kayak was covered with sealskin from which the hair had been removed, but today they are primarily constructed with a nylon or canvas outer skin.

In Greenland’s hunting districts such as at Qaanaaq there is still a requirement that whaling for narwhals must take place in the traditional manner – i.e. from a traditional qajaq with hand-thrown lances and spears – despite the fact that it is of course more effective to hunt with rifles and camouflage.

GREENLANDER ROLL

The cold Arctic seas could be lethal, as could the weather too. It was therefore essential that the hunter was properly prepared by being dressed in a waterproof animal skin suit and by always being able to execute the so-called ‘Greenlander roll’.

From early childhood, the hunters therefore learnt and practised countless turns and rolls in the sea by means of their small oars in the event that they should suddenly capsize or turn over.

In this way they could get out of almost all critical situations.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KAYAK

Building a kayak was a job for both men and women. The man was responsible for the kayak frame, and the kayak was shaped precisely to his own body shape and not according to standard dimensions.

The kayak construction itself consisted in former times of driftwood which was carried by the currents from Siberia’s rivers to the east and west coasts of Greenland.

The women’s job was to sew the fabric together from 3-4 skins of the harp seal, which was stretched out over the frame – a perfect collaboration that created kayaks from which modern kayak designers still find inspiration.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • All destinations
  • Anything
  • Anytime
  • Anywhere
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Inuit Culture
  • Kayaking
  • Summer
  • Winter

By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Immersing overwelmed by the surroundings. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

Editor’s guide: How to spend 4 days in East Greenland

An occupational hazard as an editor is that I read about and collect the most beautiful bucket list destinations, and East Greenland has long been one of mine.

  • #Boat Tours
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Dog Sledding
  • #East Greenland
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Snowmobiling
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Tiilerilaaq
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
Paninnguaq Pikilak. Inuit tattoos. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

A guide to Inuit Tattoos in Greenland

Inuit tattoos have had a revival in recent years, with many young people, among others, breathing life into the traditional lines. However, it has deep roots in Inuit communities, both spiritually and culturally.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Ruined vehicle with the landscape of Ikkatteq in East Greenland, where the Americans once had a military base. Photo by Reinhard Pantke - Visit Greenland

13 Ghost Towns in Greenland

There are many abandoned places in Greenland, and there are, obviously, several reasons for the abandonment: The hunting grounds moved, The natural minerals were used up, Forced displacement for military purposes, The need for a workforce elsewhere.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Capital Region
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Destination Arctic Circle
  • #Disko Bay
  • #East Greenland
  • #History
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Kangerlussuaq
  • #Narsaq
  • #Narsarsuaq
  • #North Greenland
  • #Nuuk
  • #Qaanaaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #South Greenland
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Camping under the sunset. Photo by Mark Hutchison

Camping and exploration logistics in Greenland

For packing a tent, booking a flight and heading into nature, the considerations for exploration logistics are where, when, how, and most importantly what are the risks and how to manage them?

  • #Accommodation
  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Camping
  • #Camping
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Outfitter
  • #Providers
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 21

info@visitgreenland.com

DENMARK – Contact us:

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Strandgade 91
1401 Copenhagen
Denmark

Direct phone Denmark:
(+45) 32 83 38 80

info@visitgreenland.com
Qilakitsoq Mummies show life and death Tjodhilde's church - a reconstruction of church from the norse presence in Greenland 1,000 years ago. By Mads Pihl Tjodhildes Church
Scroll to top