Inspired by beautiful wooden kayaks that Erik and Henrik built and other nice home constructions I could see Stock encounter at Orust, I was clearly keen to build myself. The first thing I came to make, however, was a smaller project, a Greenland paddle, I did this in the winter of 2002/2003.
I had already understood that a Greenland paddle required a different paddling technique than the one I was used to from my old European paddle. As soon as it was possible to paddle at home in Stångån, I started paddling with my new paddle. To learn more, I read a lot on the web and also watched some films from Greenland, including Amphibian Man. It took me a couple of miles of paddling with my new Greenland paddle before I found it working. Even before, however, I had understood that this was the thing!
Eskimos have used kayaks and survived thanks to them for millennia. Clearly, there is much to learn. I soon realized that a Greenlandic SOF build (Skin On Frame) would suit me perfectly.
The following made me choose a SOF build:
- Built according to thousands of years of experience - Built based on my personal measurements - Possible to take the construction "and its costs" at a slow pace, step by step. There are several who organize courses, but then you complete everything in one or a couple of weeks straight.
- Does not require a special construction site, no grinding of epoxy and I could use the garage that I share with my neighbors.
In addition to the garage, on Tuesday evenings I participate in a "wood course", a study circle where we are a group of carpentry in a small craft room at a school here in Linköping. However, the entire kayak cannot be accommodated here, but I will use the craft room for the manufacture of smaller parts and jigs etc.
After telling my friends about my plans, I got a perfect offer. I will be able to use my good friends Nicke and Therese's garage. Very good!
In order to get an idea of how it all works, I bought the book "Building the Greenland kayak" by Christopher Cunningham, checked the web (among others QajaqUsa), spied on some nice buildings recently Stock encounter as well as been in contact with Östergötland's Hemslöjdsförening (which has some young people who are working and building).
I will build a kayak adapted for roll exercises. I already have a kayak, one North Shore Buccaneers. So there is no rush to get ready and a rolling kayak will be a fun addition to the Buccisen, which works perfectly for tours. Of course, it would be nice if it was ready by next summer, but we'll see. As I said, I can take it all step by step and if for some reason I get tired, it's easy to put it aside.
I am convinced that Cunningham's book can guide me to a good build and I will do my best but at some point it will be ready... 😉
Stefan jonsson