Maine Greenland Kayak Festival

September in Maine

Clear days, warm water, rocky shorelines, lighthouses, and the full harvest moon. The crowds are gone and we have the islands to ourselves.

Portland average September sea temperatures:

• Max: 18.2°C / 62.8°F
• Avg: 15.8°C / 60.4°F
• Min: 13.5°C / 58.1°F

Our Venue

Peaks Island and the surrounding waters, islands and ledges offer a unique paddling environment: from the calm, protected area by our beach, to channels between islands affected by tidal currents, to paddling in the exposed ocean swell around rocks and under towering cliffs. These "micro-environments" provide a perfect gradual progression for paddlers to experience a wide range of conditions in close proximity.

8th Maine Museum & Lodge

We have reserved the entire 8th Maine Lodge on Peaks Island for the event. The 8th Maine is an historic, Civil War era regimental hall perched above the shore. Views of Whitehead Passage and the sunset over Portland are unparalleled from its huge, wraparound porch.

Festival Classes

The Maine Greenland Kayak Festival aims to help Greenland paddlers develop the knowledge, skills and experience for exploring the ocean environment. We have invited coaches and mentors who have extensive experience with beginning to advanced rolling, ocean expeditions, and rough water paddling, all using a Greenland paddle. Together, we aim to help you broaden your horizons, taking the Greenland style of kayaking out into the sea and along Maine’s unique coastal environment.

The following classes will be offered during three sessions: Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning. You will sign up for the sessions of your choice each evening for the following day. As always in ocean environments, the classes may be modified depending on forecasted and actual weather and sea conditions.

Rolling - Beginner and Advancing Rolling Techniques in Protected Waters.  Led by accomplished and renowned Greenland rollers, this class will train beginning and advanced paddlers in a variety of Greenland rolls.  Paddlers will be divided into small, mentor-led groups so you can work on the roll (or rolls) you want to learn and perfect.  These classes will be in protected waters, allowing you to work on perfecting techniques in a low-stress environment.  

Rolling - Chest Sculling, Sculling and Advanced Rolls in Protected Waters.  Sculling rolls are important and often ignored or forgotten topics in the rolling repertoire.  Additional advanced rolling techniques further refine the close relationship between the paddler and his or her boat.  Exploring these techniques with our instructors and mentors will further your ability - not to mention your confidence - in being able to recover when the unexpected occurs. 

Journeying - Building Efficient Forward Stroke Technique.  Paddling distances in exposed waters can be challenging.  This class will focus on dialing in the most efficient ways to paddle your kayak with a Greenland paddle.  From planting your paddle, to body mechanics, to directional control, you will learn how the grace and power of the Greenland paddle can get you to those far-off places few others can reach.  

Rocks & Obstacles - Advanced Maneuvering with your Greenland Paddle.  This class introduces paddlers to a variety of steering techniques that are especially useful in the tight areas of harbors and rocky shores.  Instruction will cover a variety of bow and stern rudder techniques, as well as draw strokes.  You will then apply those skills by threading your kayaks along our rocky island shores.  

Rough Water Management - Paddling & Bracing in Currents, Swells & Waves.  The idea of taking your Greenland paddle out into rougher waters can be unnerving for some.  This class will progressively introduce you to paddling and bracing with a Greenland paddle in swells, waves and currents.  You will then apply those skills as you paddle into gradually more exposed waters, helping you push the boundaries of your comfort zone and expand the areas you my choose to explore.  

The Surf Zone - Pivoting on Waves, Surfing, and Rolling in the Surf.  This advanced class will introduce adept rollers to maneuvering and rolling in waves and surf.  Depending on the conditions, it may include punching through waves, bracing into waves, and using the shape and energy of waves to help you turn and move your kayak.  Our goal is to include rolling in waves - so be sure you have a good roll before signing up for this one.  The objective with this class is to introduce Greenland paddlers to this wave and surf zone, not to overwhelm people with extreme conditions.  Given the rocky and variable nature of our shoreline, this class will depend on the weather conditions at the time.  

Self Rescues - Re-Entry & Roll, Paddle Float, and Cowboy/Cowgirl Techniques with a Greenland Paddle.  Inevitably there will be a time when a roll didn’t work, or it wasn’t the best option, and you had to exit your boat.  Make sure you can get yourself back in with your Greenland paddle by taking this class.  We will introduce you to a series of self rescue techniques, and if things go well we will wrap the session up by working on The Dump - a Body, Boat, Blade technique that works especially well with the NDK sloping bulkhead.

Seamanship - Wind, Waves, Tides & Topography: Reading the Ocean Environment.  This is an indoor and/or outdoor option for those who want to learn how to predict the ever-changing ocean environment.  The class will introduce you to evaluating ocean conditions based on information gleaned from charts, tide tables, swell & wave data, weather reports, and old-fashioned visual observations.  These are crucial skills for those venturing out to sea in small boats.

Exploring the Islands - A Relaxed Kayak Tour of the Peaks Island Area.  For beginning Greenland paddlers, or for those of you who want to take some time out from rolling and rougher waters, this relaxed module will give you the chance to work on your Greenland paddling techniques as you gently explore the islands, forts and wildlife surrounding our beautiful Peaks Island.

Festival Coaches, Rolling Mentors & Registered Maine Guides