The Dubcast With Dubside

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Dubside meets with Ida Nielsen in Qaqortoq, Greenland, for an in-depth conversation about the art and sport of traditional kayaking. As a seasoned competitor, Ida shares her expertise in kayak rolling and her experiences competing in Denmark as well as in Greenland as a member of Qajaq Nuuk. Together, they delve into the nuances of competition rolling, reflect on the evolution of the championship rules and practices over the years, and discuss how these changes are shaping the next generation of Greenland kayakers. It's a fascinating journey through tradition, innovation, and the enduring spirit of the sport.

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Dubside travels to Sweden to sit down with Björn Thomasson, the designer of the legendary Black Pearl kayak. Drawing inspiration from traditional East Greenland designs, Björn shares insights into the nuanced differences between East and West Greenland kayaks and the process of adapting centuries-old traditions for modern paddlers.  Björn opens up about the challenges of bringing a high-end kayak like the Black Pearl to market, navigating the delicate balance of craftsmanship, niche demand, and the risks of overseas manufacturing in China. He also discusses his role in the Swedish rolling competition, modeled after the National Greenland Kayaking Championships, offering a glimpse into the art and culture of Greenland-style kayaking in Scandinavia.  Don’t miss this deep dive into the world of kayak design, tradition, and innovation with one of the sport’s most respected voices.

LINKS: 

Björn Thomasson Design

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Dubside sits down with Taagi, a master craftsman and wood carver from Qaqortoq. Taagi shares his firsthand observations of the resurgence of traditional kayaking in his hometown, home to Greenland's oldest kayaking club. He reflects on the legacy of seal hunters and recounts ancient legends of violent encounters between the Inuit and Norsemen. The conversation delves into Taagi's candid thoughts on Greenland's readiness for independence and the unique challenges posed by climate change, from its impact on maritime transportation to the booming tourism industry. This is an episode rich with history, culture, and a thought-provoking look at Greenland's evolving identity.

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Dubside takes listeners on a journey to Greenland for the 2024 National Kayaking Championships, where he competed in harpoon throwing and proudly took home a medal in the short-distance race. Dubside shares the highs and challenges of the trip—tracking down fresh vegetables for his signature breakfast, squeezing into a single room with the Ilulissat kayaking team, and walking through town as familiar faces recognized him. Dubside reflects on the lives of the young people he’s known, some filled with promise and others marked by echos of pain. It’s a heartfelt and raw look at his connection to Greenland, kayaking, and the people who’ve become like family.

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Dubside sits down with musician Christian Elsner of the band Nanook. Christian and his brother Frederik grew up surrounded by music and musicians in the Atlantic Music recording studio which was founded by their parents. Over the years, the brothers channeled their passion and talents into Nanook. Their unique sound has taken them beyond Greenland, with performances across Canada, the USA, and even Japan. Now, as Greenland faces rapid changes with the opening of the new international airport in Nuuk, Christian shares his hopes and concerns for the future of his homeland. Join us for an inspiring conversation about music, identity, and Greenland's evolving future.

LINKS: 

• The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of Northern Eurasia
• by Harri Luukkanen (Author), William W. Fitzhugh (Author), Evguenia Anichtchenko (Contributor)
• South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayak Symposium (SSTIKS) 2024
• From the Atlantic Music shop: The History of Greenlandic Music 

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Dubside interviews legendary Greenland National Kayaking champion Maligiaq Padilla. They discuss Maligiaq's journey back to his homeland after a series of unexpected challenges forced him to leave Alaska. Now a celebrity coach, Maligiaq is using his skills to mentor at-risk kids, instilling values of discipline and resilience. We'll also hear his thoughts on the future of Greenland and the preservation of traditional kayaking in a modern world. Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation!

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Dubside and Swedish traditional kayaker David Täng discuss Dubside's recent journey to Qorqortoq, Greenland --a trip that turned into a multi-day odyssey. From flight delays due to bad weather and frustrating miscommunications, Dubside faced every traveler's worst nightmare. Yet, amidst the chaos, there were pleasant surprises that helped turned things around. Tune in to hear all about the challenges and ultimate success of reaching his remote destination. 

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Dubside reads from his article, "Paartok 2012: A Two Day Race Along Greenland's Coastline," originally published in the April 2013 issue of Sea Kayaker Magazine. Dubside shares his experiences from the race and delves into how today's modern paddlers compare to the legendary Inuit paddlers of the past who traversed these same waters. Tune in for an engaging discussion on tradition, endurance, and the evolution of paddling techniques over time.

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In the olden days, the great Inuit seal hunters knew of a paddling technique which was used to make a kayak go really fast, called kussarsarluni paarneq. Dubside explains how it might have worked. Plus the music of Nanook, "Sivittorpormi" (It Has Indeed Been A Long Time).

LINKS:

• Eastern Arctic Kayaks: History, Design, Technique by John Heath
• Efraim Adolfsen describes kussarsarluni paarneq
• Nanook, Seinitta Qinngorpaatit

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Dubside shares highlights from his recent trip to Greenland, Sweden, and Denmark. During his journey, he reconnected with old friends, met with Greenlandic musicians, and interviewed traditional kayaking enthusiasts, designers, and builders, gaining fresh insights into the craft. Dubside also demonstrates the power of the Dubcast Index--a comprehensive catalog of Dubcast episodes--showing how listeners can easily explore past discussions with special guests focused on skin-on-frame kayak design. 

LINKS: 

• THE DUBCAST INDEX 
• Knees bent backwards