The Dubcast With Dubside

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE:  Dubside travels to Sweden to sit down with Björn Thomasson, the designer of the legendary Black Pearl kayak. Drawing inspiration from traditional East Greenland designs, Björn shares insights into the nuanced differences between East and West Greenland kayaks and the process of adapting centuries-old traditions for modern paddlers.  Björn opens up about the chall...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside sits down with Taagi , a master craftsman and wood carver from Qaqortoq. Taagi shares his firsthand observations of the resurgence of traditional kayaking in his hometown, home to Greenland's oldest kayaking club. He reflects on the legacy of seal hunters and recounts ancient legends of violent encounters between the Inuit and Norsemen. The conversati...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside takes listeners on a journey to Greenland for the 2024 National Kayaking Championships, where he competed in harpoon throwing and proudly took home a medal in the short-distance race. Dubside shares the highs and challenges of the trip—tracking down fresh vegetables for his signature breakfast, squeezing into a single room with the Ilulissat kayaking team,...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside sits down with musician Christian Elsner of the band Nanook . Christian and his brother Frederik grew up surrounded by music and musicians in the Atlantic Music recording studio which was founded by their parents. Over the years, the brothers channeled their passion and talents into Nanook . Their unique sound has taken them beyond Greenland, with performa...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside interviews legendary Greenland National Kayaking champion Maligiaq Padilla . They discuss Maligiaq's journey back to his homeland after a series of unexpected challenges forced him to leave Alaska. Now a celebrity coach, Maligiaq is using his skills to mentor at-risk kids, instilling values of discipline and resilience. We'll also hear his though...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside and Swedish traditional kayaker David Täng discuss Dubside's recent journey to Qorqortoq, Greenland --a trip that turned into a multi-day odyssey. From flight delays due to bad weather and frustrating miscommunications, Dubside faced every traveler's worst nightmare. Yet, amidst the chaos, there were pleasant surprises that helped turned things a...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside reads from his article, "Paartok 2012: A Two Day Race Along Greenland's Coastline," originally published in the April 2013 issue of Sea Kayaker Magazine . Dubside shares his experiences from the race and delves into how today's modern paddlers compare to the legendary Inuit paddlers of the past who traversed these same waters. Tune in f...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: In the olden days, the great Inuit seal hunters knew of a paddling technique which was used to make a kayak go really fast, called kussarsarluni paarneq . Dubside explains how it might have worked. Plus the music of Nanook, "Sivittorpormi" (It Has Indeed Been A Long Time). LINKS: Eastern Arctic Kayaks: History, Design, Technique  by John Heath Efraim Ado...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside shares highlights from his recent trip to Greenland, Sweden, and Denmark. During his journey, he reconnected with old friends, met with Greenlandic musicians, and interviewed traditional kayaking enthusiasts, designers, and builders, gaining fresh insights into the craft. Dubside also demonstrates the power of the Dubcast Index--a comprehensive catalog of...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside recalls an article he wrote on navigating the waterways around Philadelphia for the March/April 2001 issue of the Anorak Newsletter, demonstrating the surprising advantages and hazards of using a folding kayak. As he unfolds his experiences, he is reminded of the harrowing tale of Sir John Franklin’s doomed arctic expedition in search of the Northwest Pass...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside dives into the art of traditional Inuit qajaq rolling, offering listeners a judge's perspective on what to look for during a competition. He shares insights on the criteria and techniques that define exceptional performances and discusses his mission to make Inuit qajaq rolling more accessible and engaging for spectators. Join us for a fascinating exp...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside recounts his first thrilling adventures canoeing on the serene Rancocas River in New Jersey and delves into the poignant story of Hack's Canoes, the beloved local canoe rental business that once thrived but ultimately met an unfortunate end. Join Dubside for a heartfelt journey through personal memories and local history. LINKS: Derek Hutchinson'...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: In this captivating episode, Dubside embarks on an unforgettable journey to Qaqortaq, Greenland, where he meets Efraim Adolfsen, one of the last surviving Inuit seal hunters who once navigated the icy waters in a traditional kayak. But the adventure doesn't end there. Dubside faces ongoing bewildering confrontations with a local photographer, fiercely protect...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Join Dubside as he delves into one of Greenland's most tragic maritime disasters in this gripping episode. But it's not all about tragedy. Dubside also explores the incredible feats of human endurance, discussing successful attempts to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a kayak. Hear about the daring adventurers who pushed the boundaries of what was thought pos...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Join host Andrew Elizaga as he dives deep into the world of Greenland rolling with special guest Pamela Powers . Pamela shares her remarkable journey of building and paddling the "Freya," a wooden stitch-and-glue kayak designed by renowned kayak designer John Lockwood for his daughter Freya to compete in the prestigious Greenland National Kayaking Champi...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside sits down with Dave Sides , who was the head organizer behind the Hudson River Greenland Festival (HRGF) for over a decade. They delve into the intricacies and challenges of organizing such a unique and culturally rich event, including the logistics of flying in Greenlanders to participate. Dave shares behind-the-scenes stories of coordinating food, ropes...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside dives into the fascinating world of kayak building and instruction with guests Anders Thygesen and Jannie Heegaard . Join them as they share their passion for traditional kayak craftsmanship and recount the journey that led them to transform an old church in Vestfossen, Norway, into a hub for kayak enthusiasts seeking hands-on learning experiences. LINKS:...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: We embark on an exhilarating journey as Dubside unveils his thrilling plans to attend the Greenland National Kayaking Championships in Qaqortoq this summer. Dubside delves into the fascinating nuances between Iceland and Greenland, while pondering the remarkable possibility that Inuit kayakers paddled all the way from Greenland to Scotland. Plus, don't miss o...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Join cohosts Andrew Elizaga and Dubside in this exciting episode as they unveil their plan to send Dubside to the National Kayaking Championships in Greenland this July. Dive into the history of kayaking with Dubside as he shares the captivating story of Edi Hans Pawlata, the first European to roll a kayak. Learn about Pawlata's unique teaching techniques for...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside interviews Tony Schmitz , the recently appointed president of QAJAQ USA, during the 2023 Delmarva Paddler's retreat. Originating from Minnesota and deeply rooted in canoeing, Tony provides a glimpse into his contributions to launching the Traditional Paddlers Gathering and his editorial role for the QAJAQ USA newsletter. Tune in to explore the dynamic...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside and Andrew delve into the controversial topic of cultural appropriation, focusing on British kayak company Valley Canoe and Kayak's use of Inuit kayak designs. Dubside shares insights on winter camping, offering tips for staying warm and highlighting essential features when choosing a sleeping pad for cold weather adventures. LINKS: Dr. Jared Diamond:...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dive into an insightful conversation between Dubside and traditional paddler Peter Gengler , recorded at the 2023 Delmarva Paddler's Retreat. This episode provides a glimpse into Peter's unique combination of paddling expertise and cinematic storytelling. A regular participant at Delmarva since the 1990s, Peter passionately discusses wooden kayak buildin...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Dubside dives into the world of sea kayaking in this interview with two seasoned British sea kayakers, Kevin and Nicky Mansel . Kevin, an original member of the Jersey Canoe Club, and Nicky share their wealth of experience and discuss the nuances between Greenland paddles and the Euroblade, recount their expeditions in Svalbard and Greenland, including their encou...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: In this interview, Dubside engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Kenneth Høegh , Head of Representation of Greenland in the United States and Canada. The dialogue delves into topics crucial to Greenland's future, including the pursuit of independence, the pivotal role of fishing and mining in the economy, and ambitious plans for constructing new ai...

Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE: Emanuele Korneiliussen's granddaughter Paninnguaq discovers that her grandfather had a key role in the origins of the modern British sea kayak as the creator of the seal skin kayak that anthropology student Ken Taylor brought home from Greenland. LINKS: The newsletter of Qajaq USA, The Masik Kalaallit Nunarput