GEARLAB New Ambassador Helen Wilson

4 views
Skip to first unread message

Mac Carter

unread,
May 22, 2020, 10:37:55 AM5/22/20
to Hole in the Wall Paddling Club EMAIL LIST
I thought you might find this interesting and a pleasant distraction from virus and political news.

Cheers,
Mac




   

Dear Mac
  
GEARLAB Athlete, Helen Wilson tells us about her passion for 
Greenland Style Paddling

Photo credit: as seen in Men's Journal featured athlete.

Feel free to contact us for with questions you might have, or to discuss samples or images.
Beth Cochran
 
Gearlab Ambassador - Helen Wilson 
Profile May 2020
Northern California

Please meet Helen Wilson, ISKGA Coastal Guide and an ACA Instructor with an ACA Rolling Endorsement. She is a Wilderness First Responder, and the Curriculum Publications Managing Editor and a Field Instructor for NOLS. She is on the Board of Directors and President American Chapter of the Greenland Kayak Association- Qajaq USA. In addition to writing for Sea Kayaker, Ocean Paddler and other leading industry publications including Men's Journal and the like; she is the Editor of Qajaq USA's publication, The Masik .
 
Helen Wilson got her start kayaking in her hometown, a sleepy coastal community in Northern California. She started out kayaking with her son in the lagoons and gentler rivers," Helen recalls. "Living in Arcata, where there is lots and lots of water, I just wanted to get in the middle of it."

She adopted a Greenland-style paddle early on, at a friend's recommendation. "I loved it," she says. "It felt natural from the start! Even if it's a composite, a Greenland paddle feels so personal. I feel an immediate connection because of the history behind the sport."

While she got her start on local waterways, she soon realized that the sea is where she wanted to be. After buying a more seaworthy kayak, she began to hone her ocean kayaking skills on the coast's rough waters. 

The next step was to build her own skin-on-frame kayak, which she did under the guidance of Bob Kelim.  As she began to explore traditional rolling, Helen became obsessed with learning the language of Greenland-style paddling and rolling techniques. Meanwhile, friends began urging her to compete at the Greenland National Kayaking Championship. "At the time, traveling to Greenland to participate was out of my reach. Greenland or Bust was a fundraising effort that later became my business."

After multiple medal wins at the championship, she started to get requests to teach and present at skills symposiums. "People wanted me to teach," she says, "and I discovered I love teaching as much as learning. I'm a journalist. I like words. I like figuring out skills and then finding a language to explain those skills that people will understand. A Greenland paddle is like a piano," she adds. "You move your hands along it, playing the whole thing and develop a close connection between the paddle, the water and the kayak.

After leaving her day job, Helen transitioned to teaching and paddling full-time. She is now an ISKGA Coastal Guide and an ACA Instructor with an ACA Rolling Endorsement. She is also a Wilderness First Responder, and the Curriculum Publications Managing Editor and a Field Instructor for NOLS.

Although she is best known for her mastery of traditional Greenland rolling and paddling techniques, she is happy to teach rolling to students who use both Euro blades and Greenland paddles. The important thing, she says, is to get out on the water and do what you love. "There's a lot of cross-over between Greenland and contemporary paddles. As long as we're having fun, that's what matters," she says.

Helen is also a brand ambassador for GEARLAB and has recently tested out the Kalleq for the first time. Her verdict? "It's amazing," she says. "A Greenland paddle needs to feel just right, and it fits in my hands perfectly. It's a beautiful paddle with the right weight and just the right measurements."

For those looking to learn more about Greenland-style paddling, Helen recommends Qajaq USA, the American Chapter of the Greenland Kayak Association, where she is on the Board of Directors and President. In addition to writing for Sea Kayaker, Ocean Paddler and other leading industry publications, she is the Editor of Qajaq USA's publication, The Masik.

When Helen is not running multi-week trip for NOLS, she can be found on her own far-flung adventures. Asked to name favorite trips, she struggled to narrow it down to just a few.

"I'd have to say Trinidad, California, which is where I first learned to kayak -- my heart is still there. I also love paddling in Israel where the water is warm, clear and salty, and you can kayak along the coast and see gorgeous views, including ruins. In East Greenland, you can paddle around giant icebergs. Of course, Canada is beautiful. I also love Iceland, especially the northwest area. The people are amazing and friendly, and there are hot springs to jump into."

"Even in flat water," she adds, "it's difficult to go out anywhere and not have a good time."

To learn more about Helen and see videos of her in action, visit her website at  www.greenlandorbust.org

As seen in 








For past eight years GEARLAB has designed and manufactured Greenland-style carbon-fiber paddles for ocean kayakers around the world. Created by a team of award-winning industrial designers and outdoor enthusiasts, the paddles are adapted from indigenous Inuit designs. Greenland paddles provide the longest range, efficiency and precision while reducing injury and fatigue. Made from 100% continuous carbon-fiber material, GEARLAB perfects thousand-year old ergonomics with advanced material strength and durability. GEARLAB paddles will open up a new realm of adventure for both weekend kayakers and professional. Info:gearlabpaddles.com

Contacts:  Mike Shih | GearLab | mike...@gearlab.com.tw
Communications: Beth Cochran | What's UP PR | Coc...@whatsuppr.com


Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages