The locals call Narwhale skin “Greenlandic chewing gum”, you just can’t blow bubbles.
He has taken foreign ministers, Danish royalty, and even Hillary Clinton sailing around Nuuk Fjord with his company, Arctic Boat Charter. Let’s see where the tides are taking him.
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Nuuk Fjord is wonderfully vast – what is your favorite spot?
I have several favorite spots in Nuuk Fjord. It all depends on what activities I’ll be doing. Qooqqut Fjord is definitely my favorite when it comes to deep-sea fishing, hiking and paragliding. During hunting season (for reindeer and ptarmigan, mostly), other places are preferred – for instance the adjacent Ameralik Fjord. Berry picking take places elsewhere, bird watching yet again in other spots, and feeling the presence of history (Inuit and Norse) in several other places as well. There’s even a special spot for those with gold fever.
Weather in Greenland is known for its extremes. Do you have any stories of dangerous sailing in the fjord?
Sailing in Greenland waters has to be done with great respect for the forces of nature. As beautiful, calm and friendly as it feels during summer, autumn and winter sceneries may give you a completely different idea with severe storms, cold temperatures and darkness. The weather may change suddenly, and being in the fjord is being in the complete wilderness where you, at all times, need to be self-sufficient. Dangerous stories of sailing in the fjord always root in inexperience. I guess everything you do – no matter what – is dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. The trick is to always know your capabilities in regards of knowledge, experience, equipment, and of course reading the weather.
Having traversed the globe many times, are there favorite places you’ve sailed in the Merchant Marines?
While sailing the Seven Seas I saw a lot of places from the perspective of a sailor. All places are interesting in one way or the other. You’ll see what you look for. I’m still traveling the world a lot, and I still love it. I go to places that have my interest, and these years I choose destinations with good paragliding. I favor all places – depending on what I’m up to. The Earth is my favorite planet.
Tell us about your boat!
The boat I have is a 37+ Finnish-built Targa named Sterna. It’s a fast, seaworthy, comfortable and custom-built speedboat approved to carry 12 passengers. We take good care of her, and I love sailing it, as it responds beautifully to my commands in any situation. It’s wonderfully maneuverable and meets all kinds of weather in the best way possible. I’ll never get tired of sailing this boat. It takes my guests and myself on wonderful adventures again and again. I love the fjord, and I love showing what I love to people. All the beauty – it’s there for everyone to see.
