Note: This year's Hudson River Greenland Festival is sold out! 

Our Goal

The focus of this weekend is to learn, refine, and share traditional kayaking techniques in a stimulating and enjoyable environment. Whether you are new, along, or far down this path, come join us for a great weekend of Greenland-Style kayaking!

The Instruction

We will have a passionate group of mentors that will offer, for all skill levels, the opportunity to either discover or further engage the deep and significant repertoire of the Greenlandic seal catchers. No matter what your paddling experience, come explore these very practical strokes, braces, and rolling skills.

A comprehensive strokes session will be offered both days for all levels, beginning with the best teacher of all, the paddle itself. A short land talk/Q&A on history, material, paddle-sizing, kayak fit, basic stroke, posture and legwork will be followed by an on-water session covering forward stroke, canted stroke, back-paddling, braces, sweeps, rudders, draws, and more.

Did we mention rolling? Are you interested in mastering sculling for support or the basic standard roll?  More advanced layback techniques, such as the crook of arm or spine roll? Norsaq rolls? Hand rolls? Would you like to learn forward-finishing techniques, like the storm roll, or the reverse sweep? Do you want to push even deeper into the ?rolling list??

And there is more to Greenland-style than paddling and rolling!  See a ropes demonstration (how the Inuit kept fit during the long winter months). Other on-land demonstrations will include paddle-carving and SOF construction discussions. There will also be a Roll-Off by event participants, skill-inspired games and a very fun Greenlandic relay race! 

So, come join in the fun!  Seize this day! Explore the origins of kayaking! Here is your opportunity to try traditional gear, including paddles, ?paatit?, skin on frame ?qajaq?, and paddling jackets, ?tuilik?. Bring an open mind and a set of nose plugs! Dress to get wet!

Logistics

You may arrive on Friday anytime. We will have open activities?paddling, ropes play, socializing. The park is open 8 am to dusk. Parking is free for all participants. Otherwise parking is $8.00/day. Event registration will be Friday from noon?8pm.

Lodgings consist of a choice of either shared cabin space or tent camping, and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Each cabin can accommodate 6 people, 3 small rooms with a kitchen area in the rear. Bathrooms, with showers, are in separate buildings, one in the cabin area, one by the tenting sites and another located in the RV camping area.

HRGF headquarters will be at the Lodge in the cabin area.

Food - Dinner Friday and Saturday will be a pot luck, with HRGF providing meats and basics and participants bringing side dishes and/or deserts. BYOB, we'll all share. A nourishing breakfast will be  served Saturday and Sunday mornings, lunch provided Saturday and Sunday.

Silent Auction - to be held Saturday night at the lodge. Items to include kayak gear and crafts; feel free to bring items to donate to the table.

Safety

We require a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device to be worn during on-water segments.

Fees
     
$155.00 for the entire 3 days, ACA members subtract $5.00 for insurance.

The Schedule

Friday Night 

Noon-8 pm Check in. Checking in later will be possible. If you know you will arrive later than 8pm, indicate this on your registration form and we will give you a cell phone number to reach us.

Saturday

6:30am Yoga

7:30am Breakfast 

8:30am Morning Meeting

9:00am Instruction Kick off

12:30-1:30pm Lunch, see food for options

1:00pm Afternoon meeting

1:30pm Afternoon Instruction

4:30pm Break for day, let the festivities begin!

5:00pm Ropes demo (at the lodge)

Sat evening Potluck Dinner, Silent Auction, Miscellaneous Fun!

8:00pm Presentation: The Rodriguez Family Adventures in Greenland!

Sunday

6:30am Yoga

7:30am Breakfast 

8:00am Morning Meeting, clear camp

9:00am Instruction Kick off

11:00am Roll-off

12:30-1:30pm Lunch

1:00pm Afternoon Meeting

1:30pm Relay Race

2:30-ish PM Palo Race Award Ceremony, free-form practice

Afterwards... Group paddle/free association

The Hudson River Greenland Festival will be held in Croton Point Park. Croton Point Park is a 508-acre park situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the udson River. It is located in Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New 

York.

on Google Maps
Search for Croton Point Park, Croton, NY.

directions from east of the Hudson River

From the East [Port Chester and points East] Merritt Parkway (South) or New England Thruway (South) to 287. 287 to the Sprain Brook Parkway North, to the aconic Parkway North, 3rd exit, 100/9A north. Stay on 9A to RT 9 north of Ossining, and take first exit, Croton Point Avenue. Make left, follow signs to the ark.

directions from west of the Hudson River
From the West [Rockland County and points West] New York State Thruway to Exit 9 (Tarrytown). Proceed North on Route 9 for approximately 10 miles and exit at Croton Point Avenue, turn left at end of ramp; turn left at light; Park entrance
straight ahead.

directions from north of Westchester County
Take your best route to Route 9 South. Take Route 9 South to Croton Point Avenue exit; follow signs for the park.

directions from south of Westchester County
Take your best route to Route 9 North. Take Route 9 North to Croton Point

Avenue exit; follow signs for the park.

Registration  forms

 Click here for registration form and waivers - (Sold out for this year)

Images from last year's Hudson River Greenland Festival