Greenland Kayak Balance Stool - Issiaveeraq qajaasarfik

Introduction

 

Issaveeraq qajaasarfik roughly translates to Kayak Learning Stool. In order to preserve  the  Greenland heritage and history of the Board  this has been adapted to Greenland Kayak Balance Stool . There is a replica on display in the museum at Tasiilaq on the East coast of Greenland.

The Danish Researcher H.C. Petersen, on page 10, of his book "Qaannamik pinnguaatit", Atuakkiorfik, 1994, has written that the balance stool in Greenlandic is called: "Issiaveeraq qajaasarfik".

 

Quote:

Boys, when growing up, become progressively good travellers but are too young to use a kayak. At this time they already have and use (playing) spears. They start with a piece of unfurnished wood which they play with all day long. The spear is only furnished when they grow older.

 

    At home, they are given a small chair. It is elongated, approximately the same size as the boys thighs. The legs (on the chair) are boards, placed on the further ends of the chair, the part touching the floor is curved. Therefore it is prone to wobble which is exactly the purpose. The boy is sat on the chair placing his legs on the longest part. He (really moves his thighs), and capsizes a lot. But when given a kammiut (a wooden tool for softening kamiks) as a paddle, he learns not to capsize that often. Mother's kammiut makes the boy feel he is kayaking for real.

 

    When father is already home, when the family is about to eat, the father or the grandfather gives the boy seal ribs to rip (with his teeth) telling him to eat it while sitting on the chair, telling him to eat the ribs while holding it with both hands. The boy, while ripping, tries to sit upright, using his body his arms bent on his elbows and (using) his legs to sit upright. 

 

    The chair is used by the boys to practice on to sit upright on a kayak before getting a kayak. Long time ago it has been used. How far it has spread is hard to say. It was rare in the 1900's so the memory of it is limited. 

 

 

(Text under picture)

A small chair 'where you pretend to be a kayaker' where boys practice sitting upright.

 

Grateful thanks to: Aviâja Rosing Jakobsen, Curator Greenland National Museum & Archives in Nuuk Greenland for the information.

Dina Fisker Sandgreen @ Qeqertarsuaq Museum Greenland for the translation.

 

How can this piece of Inuit equipment help the modern day kayaker?  By improving balance for paddling a kayak whilst working on core strength, flexibility, posture, alignment and muscle memory during the stroke.

 

 

 

Consider this extract from the ICF Coaching Manual:

 

5.2  BALANCE

Good balance is critical to successful canoeing. Balance is always a factor for paddlers, from the beginner to the elite athlete. A strong sense of balance becomes more and not less as paddlers advance to racing.

The characteristics of the practice of canoeing determine that the stability of the paddle and therefore the boat is considered of great importance in the technical training of athletes. If the paddler cannot solve his stability problems in the kayak or canoe it will result in development becoming partially or wholly limited.

Any paddle motion that involves correcting the balance of the boat directly takes away from the propulsion of the vessel thus reducing the forward speed.

The stability of the paddler depends on several internal and external conditions.

Internal conditions are weight , height, sense of balance age etc, all these can be controlled by the paddler. The external elements are wind ,waves and currents which cannot be controlled by the paddler.

BETTER BALANCE COMES WITH PRACTISE.

The next part of the ICF Manual includes a matrix titled the The Seven  Faces of Training. Stage one is all balance. This reduces to fifty per cent on stage two and twenty five per cent on stage three. Balance only disappears when the paddler is considered to be at an advanced stage.

This part of the ICF manual is confirmation that improving a paddlers balance is of critical importance to improving speed and efficiency.

When we first start paddling some of us are taught using the simple but well known four stage formula of Catch, Power, Recovery and Set Up. As we progress beyond beginner to intermediate and beyond we naturally develop slightly different paddling styles and techniques but still utilising the original basic formula. It is for the individual to mould and adapt their variations of this basic technique  to produce a style which they are  comfortable with. The effectiveness of  different styles and equipment varies. The pursuit of the ultimate stroke is a journey which has no end. It is important to be constantly thinking about your stroke and to keep it under review. You should never sit back and think for one moment that you have cracked it.

The Balance Stool provides a valuable land based resource to supplement and assist training and learning. This is especially so when conditions are not conducive to paddling for instance when it is  cold, dark, wet and windy outside or we are in Lockdown and are not permitted to paddle on water. It is particularly useful for introducing paddlers to the interaction between the various components of the body which are used during the cycle of the four main parts of the stroke.

It is written that One stroke cycle involves twenty five thousand muscle movements and is one of the hardest movements to learn in sport.

There is a saying in Yoga, once a week is a pastime, two or three times a week is a hobby. Six times a week is a way of life.  If you are to learn and efficiently coordinate these twenty five thousand movements then the same applies to paddling. To improve and learn you must spend time to practise.

There is a wealth of knowledge currently on the internet with lots of really useful videos. In order to transfer this information to the boat you must first understand the information given out by the various coaches and then practice it. This practice needs to be, correctly learnt and then repeated numerous times for it to become natural otherwise old habits will return. Any time spent being coached and watching videos will have been wasted.

The board is basic and without any moving parts. It can be frustrating when you try to decide what to actually do with it. You can sit on it and practice your stroke or wobble from side to side. A big mistake, often made, is to think that the board is some form of Ergo or paddling machine. This is not what it is designed for. Also just like a cycle turbo trainer unless there is some set programme to work to the chances are you will become bored very quickly.

For most, if not all of your sessions on the board you are going to be on your own and without the benefit of a coach. If you are to achieve the aim of using the board several times a week you will need to become self reliant and able to see and adjust your form in real time as you go through the drills. The ultimate goal is for you to coach yourself. To achieve this a mirror is strongly recommended when carrying out these drills. It should be propped up at the front of the board. This is essential for you to check your set up prior to each drill. What you think and feel you are doing is quite often very different to what you are actually doing.

To use the board you will need a) a mirror as just described b) a paddle shaft without blades. Once you understand the 90 x 90 x 45 rule described in Stage 1 you should mark the inside of your hand position on the paddle shaft with insulating tape. You will be able to quickly readjust your hand position should they move or slip.

The stability of the board can be adjusted by varying the floor surface under the board. A hard smooth surface such as tiles will make the board less stable than a deep pile carpet or Yoga mat.

When you first sit on the board remember the phrase: WHEN IN DOUBT FEET OUT

Where feasible perfect each drill with your feet on the floor before bringing them onto the board.

Below is a list of drills which  have been adapted for use on the Board.