SSTIKS Education
SSTIKS Mentoring Rubric
SSTIKS emphasizes the full gamut of Greenland cultural traditions. The classes are geared towards learning what you need to know to paddle qayat (kayaks) safely using traditional equipment and techniques. We also emphasize the skills needed compete in the SSTIKS Greenland Games.
Our own mini Greenland Games feature rolling, ropes, and harpooning competitions as well as a race.

Hunting Skills
Using Arctic Kayaks
This class is suitable for everyone. Kayaks will include those very easy to paddle and those more challenging. Topics covered will include the history of the kayaks, getting into and out of traditional boats safely, strokes and maneuvers. We may also teach rolling traditional kayak, rescue, and on water safety considerations.
Harpooning
Strokes & Maneuvers 1
This class is for those who are fairly new to qajaqing. It will cover the basic forward stroke and how it can be modified to control your qajaq.
Strokes & Maneuvers 2
Fine tune your use of a Greenland paddle. Experiment with various rudders and stroke types.

Survival Skills
Basic rolling and survival skills
Side Scull
Chest Scull
Standard Greenland Roll
Roll with hunting float
Storm Roll (low brace over masik)
Variations on the standard roll
Paddle in Crook of Arm
Spine Roll (paddle projecting over head)
Paddle held behind back
Standard Roll with Paddle held behind head
Armpit Roll
Successive Standard rolls performed in 10 seconds
Paddling upside down
Rolls with less buoyancy – throwing stick rolls
Reverse Roll with Paddle held behind head
Roll with arms crossed
Successive Storm rolls performed in 10 seconds
Throwing stick, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward
Throwing stick, start leaning aft, sweep from stern to bow
Throwing stick, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft
Hand rolls and more
Hand roll, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward
Hand roll, start leaning aft, sweep from stern to bow
Hand roll, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft
Hand roll with a clenched fist, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward (added 12/2005)
Hand roll with a clenched fist, start leaning aft, sweep from stern to bow (added 12/2005)
Hand roll with a clenched fist, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft
Elbow roll
Advanced scull & brick rolls
Vertical Sculling Roll
Sculling Roll with paddle held horizontal on foredeck
Sculling Roll with paddle held horizontal above “backrest”
Sculling with paddle held under kayak
Hand roll holding eight kilogram brick, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward
Hand roll holding eight kilogram brick, start leaning aft, sweep from stern to bow
Hand roll holding Eight kilogram brick, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft
Straight jacket, no hands-roll
Deep water rescues
Qajaq exit and reentrancy in deep water
Towing another qajaqer
Hand of Pavia rescue

Winter Skills
Allunaariaqattaarneq (Rope gymnastics)
Paddle Carving
Paddle carving class will be held at SSTIKS starting on Thursday. There is a separate registration process for this class. Please contact Don Beale directly:
info at bealepaddles dot com
SSTIKS 2020 Schedule is coming soon. The 2019 class schedule should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Thursday PM Schedule (early birds)
- 4:00-5:30 PM
Mentors Session. Teaching Greenland Skills. - 6:30–7:30
potluck dinner (Bring something to share. - 7:30–9:00 PM
Film Presentation
Friday AM Schedule
- 7:30 AM
Check-in desk opens Morning class registration starts - 7:30-8:30 AM
Yoga on the beach Bring your mat or towel. - 9:00-9:30 AM
Safety Talk! You must be present. - 9:15-9:30 AM
Get your gear ready to go! - 9:30-11:30 AM
Session 1 Courses & Kid’s Track - 12:00-1:00 PM
Catered Lunch
Friday PM Schedule
- 1:00-1:15 PM
Get your gear ready to go! - 1:30-3:30 PM
Afternoon Courses & Kids Track - 4:00-4:30 PM
Skin on Frame Parade - 4:30-5:30 PM
Allunaariaqattaarneq (Ropes) Demo - 6:30-7:30 PM
Catered Dinner - 7:30-8:30 PM
Evening Presentation – Eiichi Ito Keynote - 8:30-9:30 PM
Evening Presentation – Second Event TBD - 10:00 PM
Quiet time
Saturday AM Schedule
- 7:30 AM
Check-in desk opens Morning class registration starts - 7:30-8:30 AM
Yoga on the beach. Bring your mat or towel. - 9:00-9:15 AM
Safety Talk! You must be present. - 9:15-9:30 AM
Get your gear ready to go! - 9:30-11:30 AM
Session 3 Courses & Kid’s Track - 12:00-1:00 PM
Catered Lunch
Saturday PM Schedule
- 1:00-2:00 PM
Rolling Demo & Competition - 2:00-2:15 PM
Get your gear ready to go! - 2:15-4:00 PM
Session 4 Courses & Kid’s Track - 4:00-4:30 PM
Kayak Race - 4:30-5:30 PM
Dead Fish Polo - 5:30-7:00 PM
Silent Auction - 6:00-7:00 PM
Catered Dinner - 7:30-8:30 PM
Live Auction! - 8:30-10:00 PM
Film Festival
Sunday AM Schedule
- 7:30-8:30 AM
Yoga on the beach Bring your mat or towel. - 8:30-10:00 AM
Informal mentoring on the beach - 10:00-10:30 AM
Kid’s barge race followed by the Wedding of Palo Relay Race - 11:00-12:00 PM
Greenland Skills Awards - 12:00-1:00 PM
Catered Lunch - 1:00 PM
Good-bye SSTIKS 2019 – Clean the Campgrounds and Beach
Kid’s Program Schedule
Friday Kids Program
- strokes
- maneuvering
- rescue
- rolling
The games and activities that we do include tailtag where kids practice maneuvering in their kayaks while trying to grab tags off of everyone else’s bows and sterns and preposterous propulsion.
Saturday Kids Program
- strokes
- maneuvering
- rescue
- rolling
Sunday Kids Program
- Barge Building
- The Great Barge Race