published in the MASIK. I find this trend very admirable and encourage more of it.
Being a novice when it comes to the use of Greenlandic terms, I find two resources
on the QAJAQ USA website useful in providing English translations for them. Roll
Translations at
http://www.qajaqusa.org/QK/rolls/rolls_phonetic.html
, and the Greenland
Kayaking Audio Glossary at
http://www.qajaqusa.org/Movies/audio_glossary.html
.
Greenlandic terms are italicized in the MASIK.
Recently, I did some paddling in
windy conditions and also executed a few
rolls, though rather poorly. This experience
has convinced me that that my heart is
fixed, and the stitch & glue work on my
chest bone has finally cured. Im very I
grateful for this.
I havent paddled this winter, but from
what I can gather, a lot more people have
been taking the plunge. Can the Montreal
Madness be spreading? Its been a long
time since I went swimming in 40ºF but
I remember very well its numbing effect.
Maybe I should have had on a pair of the
neoprene gloves described in this issue.
Here in Connecticut the vegetation is
turning green and the water is warming up,
conditions to me that are most welcome.
At the present time Im more inclined to contemplate the value of the article in this issue
on cold weather paddling rather than experiencing it personally. My winter was spent
making a new wooden kayak. I havent made a traditional Skin On Frame qajaq and yet,
I keep telling myself its about time I did. But, for now, Im inclined toward plywood,
cedar, fiberglass, and epoxy. The East Greenland SOF qajaq and the rib bending jig
described in this issue are great incentives for getting started on one though.
The MASIK has received some feedback from our readers, and want to share it with
you in this issue. So far, its all been good. I very much appreciate hearing from the
readers. If any of the material in the MASIK has enhanced your traditional kayaking
experiences, please let us know.
Bobby
Vol. 2, No. 2 Spring 2004
In this Issue
Page 2
My Minganie Winter
Page 3
Events Calendar
Page 5
Qajaq Talk
Page 7
Self-Built Traditional
Style Boats
An East Greenland Kayak
Building an Adustable Rib
Bending Jig
A Qajaq for Cheri
Page 14
Custom Neoprene
Mitts
Page 15
Qajaq USA Elections
Are Coming!
Page 16
Notes from
the Regions
Page 18
Feedback
Link to other Masik issues.
MISSION
Qajaq USA is a non-profit
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. 2
Spring 2004: Volume 2, Number 2
The MASIK: a quarterly newsletter of Qajaq USA
Web Site:
http://www.qajaqusa.org/

Forums Page:
http://www.qajaqusa.org/forums.shtml

3
A publication of Qajaq USA
www.qajaqusa.org
QAJAQ USA OFFICERS
President
Greg Stamer
gstamer@qajaqusa.org
Vice President
Keith Attenborough
keith@qajaqusa.org
Historical & Kayak Building Advisor
Harvey Golden
harvey@qajaqusa.org
Membership
David Braun
dave@qajaqusa.org

membership@qajaqusa.org
PNW Regional Advisor
Mike Hanks
mike@qajaqusa.org
Forum Administrator
Shawn Baker
shawn@qajaqusa.org
Advisor, Greenland Liaison
Pavia Lumholt
pavia@qajaqusa.org
Newsletter Editor
Bobby Curtis
bobby@qajaqusa.org
Events
Robin Snow
robin@qajaqusa.org
Archivist, Historical Advisor,
Journal Editor
Vernon Doucette
vernon@qajaqusa.org
archivist@qajaqusa.org
Graphic Designer
Tamara Hanks
tamara@qajaqusa.org
THE MASIK STAFF
Editor: Bobby Curtis
Graphic Layout: Tamara Hanks
Proof Reading: Bill Price
Review Board: Greg Stamer, Harvey
Golden, Vernon Doucette
My Minganie Winter
Exploring the sea ice
By Valerie Dillon
The thermometer reads minus 10º
F. A layer of ice covers the bay. In a few
hours, as the sun shines higher and the
tide drops, leads will open and hundreds
of eiders will gather in the pools. Gray
seals may haul out onto the thicker rafts of
ice and bask in the sun. Farther off shore,
the harp seals are having their babies.
There is no paddling here today, maybe
tomorrow. The forecast hints that a warm
front will be moving through the region.
Some folks may think it is strange to
head north for the winter. Perhaps you
too wonder about our sanity. Many years
ago, my husband Douglas and I accepted
an invitation to experience winter in the
Minganie Region of Quebec (see map
insert of the Gulf of St. Lawrence). Our
curiosity continues to be rewarded each
season!
REFERENCE MAP
There is so much to tell you about
this winter wonderland. Youll pardon my
pun when I say this collage of photos is
only the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes
I am fortunate to share adventures with
Doug and our buddies Andrew Coutts and
Nicolas Bertrand. You may notice them
in, or credited for, the photos. Maybe
youll be tempted to join fellow loup
du marin noir (black sea wolf - so kick
named for the dark silhouette of tuilik
garbed in a skinny kayak) in the isles of
Mingan.
One thing that can be said about
winter here is that it is white. There are
an amazing variety of shades and each
tells a story about the conditions fresh
snow, new ice freezing, or metamorphosed
crystals. I guess that is why the Inuit have
more than thirty words to say snow!
VALERIE RETURNS FROM AN ICY PADDLE.
When I paddle among the sea ice,
my thoughts drift back to the days when
kayaks carried Inuit hunters tracking
seal and walrus in this bay. The names
of bays, rivers and islands remind folks
of the heritage. Cabot, Champlain and
Joliet were among the explorers who
helped map the region. Names such
as Pointe aux Morts tell of the struggle
between the Innu (Montagnais) and Inuit.
Basque whalers once frequented the
region. By the 1850s Acadian families
established the fishing village of Havre-
St-Pierre on Pointe aux Esquimaux. More
HIGH TIDE ALONG THE ISLANDS ICE-DRAPED CLIFFS 2
Spring 2004: Volume 2, Number 2
The MASIK: a quarterly newsletter of Qajaq USA
Web Site:
http://www.qajaqusa.org/

Forums Page:
http://www.qajaqusa.org/forums.shtml

3
EVENTS
CALENDAR
2004 KAYAKING EVENTS
For more information on events please
visit
http://www.qajaqusa.org/QUSA/
events.html
SSTIKS 2004
South South Traditional Inuit
Kayak Symposium
A weekend educational and cultural
experience featuring the top US
Greenland-style paddlers.
Qajaq USA Event
When: June 11-13, 2004
Where: Twanoh State Park

Belfair, Washington
Contact: Mike Hanks
E-mail:
mike@qajaqusa.org
Web:
www.qajaqpnw.org
MEET AT THE BEACH
A gathering of kayak builders. There is
everything from very traditional skin-
on-frame Greenland style kayaks to
innovative new skin-on-frame hybrids,
as well as strip-built and stitch-and-
glue.
When: June 19, 2004
Where: Bluff Point State Park

Groton, Connecticut
Web:
kayakforum.com/meet.html
GREENLAND NATIONAL
KAYAKING CHAMPIONSHIP
The Greenland Kayaking Association
welcomes kayakers from all countries
and of all skill levels to participate
in this event. Please join your fellow
Qajaq USA members in this exciting
and educational contest in Greenland.
Qaannat Kattaffiat Event
When: July 8-14, 2004
Where: Qaportoq, South Greenland
Web:
http://www.qajaqusa.org/
QK/QU2004%20Program.htm
Continued on page 5.
recent politics transferred the land from
Labrador to Quebec. Today most of
the archipelago along the north shore of
the Gulf of St. Lawrence is managed by
Parks Canada. The islands and rugged
shore are known for summer ecotourism.
Outdoor enthusiasts can also find plenty of
opportunities in the winter. Among those
adventures is kayaking.
This winter (2004) was unique in that
Baie Placide Vigneau did not freeze solid.
Locals mentioned that it was the first time
in about twenty years they couldnt walk
over to the islands. For me it was a grand
opportunity to observe the various stages
of the sea freezing. Better yet, it was a
chance to paddle throughout the winter.
We certainly appreciated the ease with
which our Greenland style kayaks plied
the winter sea.
Dressed in drysuits & neoprene,
Douglas, Andrew and I welcomed in the
New Year with a paddle. The sea was
sort of fluid after the recent tempest had
churned up waves. Ice was starting to
build up on the shore. As the sun set, the
air temperature quickly dropped and the
cooled sea surface started to crystallize. I
couldnt resist donning my dive mask to
observe the ice crystals suspended and
coalescing. Then the 28º F seawater does
feel warmer than the air! Well never
forget the golden reflection off the cliffs
as we stroked towards the flaming western
sky. Venus guided us home. Fortunately
the low tide allowed easy, though slippery
access to the dark shore.
FINDING THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE
ANDREW LEADS THE WAY
Its tough going when the air temps
are subzero!! I usually wait until its
above10º F to launch. So, during a thaw -
it is ready, set and go for a paddle. While
I was out, those gentle north winds which
had pushed ice away from the beach
veered westerly and picked up some. The
sea ice slowly migrated back towards my
shore. I enjoyed the tranquility of paddling
along the sparkling sea and the warmth
of the sun. It was a good thing I wore
my sun hat over the neoprene! As I
explored the ice fringe, a couple of gray
seals checked me out. I came across some
elastic ice that undulated when I bounced
it. Eventually I relaxed and stretched
out with my favorite yoga pose - floating
in the balance brace position was a snap
in the saline waters. And keeping with
tradition, I even practiced a few ro