SSTIKS 2007

I need to interrupt my San Juans Stories yet again to say that I had another amazing SSTIKS experience this year, despite only attending on one very wet Saturday.  I was amazed at how many kayaks were set out on the beach before the opening ceremonies, and then later in the water during the instruction sessions.  Mike Hanks thought that attendence could reach 150, compared to 100 last year.  Sorry to sound like such a rabid revolutionary, but we are witnessing the efflorescence of Greenland Style! 

If you have the opportunity to go to SSTIKS and are also familiar with the mainstream kayak symposium scene you will notice immediately that the traditional kayak symposium experience is unlike any other.  Where are all the dealers and kayak manufacturer's reps with their colorful banners and tents?  This is a gathering of a grassroots movement, whose members are motivated not by profit but simply by enthusiasm for the tradition.  It's so hard to contain our enthusiasm that we can't help drawing our kids and entire families into it. 

Where are the booths selling drysuits, PFDs and exotic kayak vacations in Costa Rica?  The kind of stuff for sale here are things like willow shoots for making baidarka ribs, cans of pine tar, pieces of caribou antler, an authentic Qaannat Kattuffiat jacket from Greenland, a draw knife, and a norsaq/harpoon assembly.  These items were donated for the SSTIKS auction to raise money for next year's event. 

In fact, I donated one of my own kayaks, Necromancer, for the auction.  My personal reason was because it was simply too painful to see her sitting in my storage canopy at home, in perfect condition, but unused for nearly two years.  I needed to get rid of her and move on.  I had thought about trying to sell her on eBay or Craigslist, but in the end I thought the best way to find someone who would really appreciate her would be to auction her off at SSTIKS.  Then the money raised would also go to a good cause.  So congrats to Tim Mattson for his winning bid -- I hope she gives you plenty of good years on the water!

Also congratulations to my friend Dick, for finally getting his roll down!

Check out the second-to-last picture -- that's Greenland National Kayak Championship 2006 competitor Alison Sigethy sitting in my kayak!  She flew in from Virginia to attend SSTIKS, and when she needed a kayak to teach the advanced rolling class I offered mine.  It was a real pleasure to meet her.  I probably wouldn't have gotten the opportunity if Dubside hadn't tapped me on the shoulder and said, "You're in the rolling demo with Alison and me."  So there I was rolling between Dubside and Alison at SSTIKS!  Can you imagine a tougher crowd to play for (with the exception of Greenland?)  If this sort of thing is going to happen more often I better start learning more rolls!