waterlines
frozen land devoid of the essentials of life. Tose who inhabited the coastal areas were es- pecially deprived of the gifts of the land—nat- ural resources in the forms of vegetation and land animals were simply not available. Te sea became their source for sustenance and their needs dictated the path of their ingenuity. Life for the ancient Inuit depended on their
ability to make the most of the meager ma- terials at their disposal. To not create meant extinction, so they created perhaps one of the greatest design and engineering feats in history. From a dearth of construction materials, and in the worst of environments, the Inuit devel- oped the kayak. Made from bones and driftwood, covered with seal skin sewn by the hands of a crafts-
Journey of the Spirit T
DELICATE CRAFT, TREACHEROUS WATERS BY MICHAEL WALMSLEY
he ancient Inuit chose as their domain a very inhospitable environment. A vast,
man, the original kayaks made a mockery of the harsh land in which they were built. Te noble hunters braved the extreme elements to pursue the elusive seals, developing the neces- sary skills to manoeuvre their vessels and hunt from the confines of the cockpit. It was a job held in high esteem. Te hunter was the pro- vider of life for his village. Without his success- ful forays over the treacherous waters, the Inuit people would not survive. His was an existence tied to courage and heroism. And tied to a boat—the hunter’s boat! One can readily imagine the social position
of the Inuit kayaker. His was an existence pred- icated on risk, for the dangers he faced from the cockpit of his tiny vessel were always present. Te ancient kayaker, after having sighted and then stalked his prey in the unforgiving waters, would trade paddle for harpoon and, in the
pitching swells, launch his weapon while main- taining the delicate balance that kayakers often seek so desperately with a flick of the hips. With the fate of the entire village riding on
his skill and courage, the kayaker’s launch into the hunt was a momentous occasion, heralded with sacred chants and actions focused on suc- cess and survival. What a scene must have en- sued as the hunter, at one with his kayak and the frigid waters, pushed off from the icy shore- line and pulled those first few strokes of his mission. Te kayak, its decks laden with har- poon and attached air bladder, would quickly become a silhouette on the horizon. As you slip into the cockpit, dare to feel the
spirit for which your kayak yearns. Te an- cient lines and purpose that have evolved its existence speak a sacred language to you, if you care to listen. For those onlookers who see only a recreational paddler dipping the first paddle strokes of a pleasant journey, feel pity. Tey do not see the spirits of the hunter and hunting vessel that guide your voyage.
Michael Walmsley resides in Orangeville, Ontario, where he and his wife operate Inukshuk Kayak, a company enhancing the culture of kayaking through art.
WATERLINES is our reader essay column. Send your 500-word personal essays or stories to
editor@adventurekayakmag.com.
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Taking You to Another Place.
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