Home > Outdoors > Kayakers trade time for money
Kayakers trade time for money
BY MCKAYLA BOELTER
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
ISSUE: 78/23
TYLER SWEENEY / STATESMAN
ABOVE and BELOW:: Tyler Carlson and Brian
Hadfield measure, mark and prepare to plane
their their kayak paddles at the UMD Build Your
Own Kayak paddle, held last Thursday. The
cost of a commercially made paddle can be
more than $150.
TYLER SWEENEY / STATESMAN
You’re out at dawn on a lake. The sun’s just beginning to peek over the edge of the horizon, and a light mist covers the surface of the water. There’s no one around, and the silence of a still morning surrounds you as you paddle your kayak away from shore. Some UMD students took the first step in enjoying this scene by learning how to create their own kayak paddle. “Sea kayaking is a beautiful way to view the world,” said Dean Einerson, a graduate student at UMD.
On Thursday, March 6, Pat Kohlin, community programs specialist for UMD Recreational Sports, taught three UMD students how to carve Greenland-style paddles for kayaking.
Greenland kayaking is a form of kayaking that was invented by the Inuits of Greenland so that they could fish and hunt for seal and whale according to the article “The Greenlandic Kayak” from greenland.com. There’s a stylistic difference between Greenland kayaking and other forms of kayaking. The main difference is that the Greenland style is more user-friendly, easier on the joints and good for long distances, said Kohlin.
According to nicholsexpeditions.com, kayaking has gained in popularity and sea kayaks have become the personal watercraft of choice for thousands of individuals and couples worldwide. “I’m just interested in it,” said senior Brian Hadfield. “It’s definitely worth a try.” When buying kayak paddles at a canoe and kayak store, paddles can cost upwards of $200. At tuktupaddles.com, prices for a Greenland-style paddle range from $145 to $265. This is why Kohlin suggests making your own paddle, because a piece of wood from Menards or Home Depot could cost around $7.
Once the paddle has been measured, marked up for cutting, carved out and sealed against water damage, it can be used for sea kayaking on Lake Superior, the St. Louis River or anywhere there is cold water. “It’s liberating [to kayak],” said Kohlin. “You’re under your own power.” Many people might prefer canoeing over kayaking because kayaking takes more planning and is less spur of the moment, mentions Kohlin.
However, one advantage of kayaking over canoeing is that it allows for more independence. “[In a canoe] you may end up going wherever [your partner] wants to go,” said Kohlin. Kohlin suggests for anyone wanting to get involved in sea kayaking to get instructions from a certified instructor. They will have access to good equipment as well as accurate information and safety instructions, said Kohlin. He adds that this is important because kayaking can be dangerous, especially on Lake Superior. “A lot of people have died,” said Kohlin. “It happens yearly, but it’s preventable.”
With good safety instructions, kayakers can enjoy fun trips on Lake Superior or anywhere. As soon as the ice starts to melt and the water warms up, people will be hauling out their kayaks. “I’m looking forward to paddling when it’s above 30 degrees,” said Kohlin.
McKayla Boelter is at
boel0044@d.umn.edu
