The qajaq program at Victor Sammurtok School (VSS) in Chesterfield Inlet is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.
The program was established in 2004 with high school students from grades 9 to 12 making nine qajaqs in October in the school gym.
VSS teacher and program founder Glen Brocklebank said the first year that program participants got on the water was 2005.
He said this year features one of the biggest groups of students to ever take part in the qajaq program.
“The first day for our swim test this year we had 33 students in life jackets, in gear and in the water,” said Brocklebank.
“We added the swim test for the first time about a decade ago. The first thing we started with was putting students in qajaqs and doing the wet exit. But, a lot of the students at the time didn't know how the dry suits worked or how they felt, and how the life jackets would hold them up.
“So, we decided to do a swim test instead and that's worked out phenomenally. Now students are comfortable before they capsize. They know what the water will feel like, what the gear will feel like and how they'll stay buoyant when they capsize.”
There is no swimming pool in Chesterfield Inlet, so there's greater emphasis on safety awareness when on the open water.
Brocklebank said student attendance at the high school is currently the highest it's been in years. He said he believes that's a direct reflection of the impact the program has had.
“The students can earn up to three high school credits. Grade 9 is considered high school in our school because we have split grades. So, students from Grade 9 to Grade 12 take part in the program every year.
“We only have 32 qajaqs at the moment, so we're going to have to build some more to make sure we can keep up with this large a cohort.
“Some students feel more comfortable on the fresh water lake and are a little leery on the ocean, while some can't wait to get on the ocean to try their skills and try to surf some of the waves that are coming in.
“The program wrapped up on Friday, Aug. 30. We had a week-and-a-half of qajaqing and water safety.”
Brocklebank said the qajaq program at VSS won the Arctic Inspiration Prize of $140,000 in 2017.
He said everyone involved with the program hopes it continues for the foreseeable future.
“The learning our students are doing in the program is a ton of water safety, as well as being more secure in the water. And, I think, they're also able to learn about their own risk-assessment abilities and have confidence in their abilities.
“We've found that the lessons we can draw upon from the qajaq program and use in class later on in the year to be almost immeasurable. We can point to when a student didn't think they could paddle across the bay — and then did.
“So, through teamwork, encouragement and being together, we've seen skills develop and explode.”
