Traditional Qajaqs, Skills & Community
the Pacific Northwest's premier community event for Greenland-style and traditional kayaks, rolling, and traditional skills.
SSTIKS 2026 is honored to welcome these exceptional paddlers, builders, and teachers to the Columbia River.
Dubside is one of the world's foremost practitioners of Greenland rolling, having mastered and documented the full canon of traditional Inuit rolling and ropes techniques. His instructional films and workshops have introduced thousands of paddlers to the discipline.
Brian Shulz is the founder of Cape Falcon Kayak and a leading voice in traditional skin-on-frame kayak building. His designs draw from historical Greenlandic and Alaskan kayaks, refined through years of paddling and teaching.
Peter Strand is the incoming President of Qajaq USA.
SSTIKS is hands-on and on the water from morning to night. Build skills, meet mentors, and share meals.
Never rolled a kayak before? This is your starting point. Patient mentors guide you through the fundamentals of Greenland-style rolling in a supportive, shallow-water environment. You might just surprise yourself.
For paddlers ready to push further. Explore the full catalog of traditional Greenland rolls — from balance braces to hand rolls — with guidance from experienced coaches who live and breathe this craft. Push your limits, refine your technique, and maybe, just maybe, unlock the elusive SJR.
A kayak goes where you tell it to — in theory. This session covers the Greenland paddle techniques behind tight turns, precise edging, and smooth boat control. Small adjustments, big differences. Your kayak has opinions. This session teaches you how to politely disagree.
A unique and athletic tradition from Greenlandic culture, rope gymnastics build the core strength, flexibility, and body awareness that directly translate to better rolling and paddling. A surprisingly fun challenge at all levels.
Watch a traditional Greenland paddle take shape from a raw plank of wood. Prolific carver Don Beale walks you through the process, explaining the design principles behind one of the most elegant and efficient paddle forms ever developed.
Get up close with a stunning collection of traditional Greenland-style kayaks. Admire the craftsmanship, ask questions, and try one out on the water. A living showcase of the qajaq-building art.
Competitors take to the water to roll through as many of the traditional Greenland rolls as possible. Whether you're competing or cheering from the bank, it's one of the most exciting and beautiful spectacles of the event.
Friendly competition on the Columbia River — sprints, relay races, and paddle games that bring out the playful side of the sport. All skill levels welcome. Fast kayaks are optional, good humor is a plus, and heckling is mandatory.
Good fun happens off the water too! On the first evening, paddlers trade their wooden sticks for wooden spoons and bring their best dish to the communal table. Everyone brings a favorite dish to share, and count on there being just a little too much food. Come hungry, and bring a side of good stories.
Teams race against the clock to build a seaworthy — and we use that word loosely — kayak from sticks, duct tape, shrink wrap, and optimism. The real twist? You don't just have to paddle it. You have to roll it. May the stickiest team win.
Start your morning with a gentle stretch along the Columbia River — led by Dubside, Greenland rolling legend and surprisingly bendy yoga instructor. Loosen paddling muscles, improve flexibility, and set a calm tone for a full day on the water. All levels welcome.
Learn in small groups and 1:1 from a roster of talented paddlers and experienced mentors.
SSTIKS is more than an on-water symposium. Learn the values and principles that guide the gathering.
Originally the "South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayak Symposium," SSTIKS was held for nearly 20 years on Washington's Hood Canal. The event has moved, but we are keeping the name!
SSTIKS is rooted in traditional Arctic kayaking, family, and a commitment to sharing skills. The full SSTIKSishness statement outlines what makes the event distinct and how the community keeps it that way.
SSTIKS 2026 will be held at Skamokawa Vista Park. Located on the shore of the Columbia River, the park has tent sites and RV parking. There are also hotel and motel options nearby.
Tent sites, yurts, and RV parking keep the community close. Expect long evenings by the water and open-air demos between sessions. Camping is included with your ticket.
Skamokawa Vista Park is right on the Columbia River, giving quick access to sheltered water, rolling practice, and sunset paddles.
Prefer a bed? Hotels and motels are available nearby if you want a quieter reset between sessions.
Skamokawa Vista Park
SSTIKS 2026 will be held at Vista Park in Skamokawa. Attendees begin arriving Thursday afternoon, June 11th, with on-the-water activities planned for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Bring food and supplies to camp comfortably for the full period.
Thanks to the businesses, organizations, and individuals backing SSTIKS in 2026.
