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Greenland Forum

The Delmarva Paddler’s Retreat kayak build class o...
Mike Hamilton

The Delmarva Paddler’s Retreat kayak build class of 2023!


If you’ve ever wanted to build your very own skin-on-frame Greenland kayak or Aleut iqyax (baidarka), you simply won’t find a better time and place than at the 34th Annual Delmarva Paddlers Retreat under the expert guidance of Anders Thygesen of Kajakkspesialisten and his able assistant, Jannie Heegaard. We can promise that you’ll work long hours, learn about the intricacies of kayak construction and woodworking hand tools, meet wonderful new kayak-crazy friends, probably use up a bunch of band-aids, and possibly even utter a swear word or two. We also guarantee that by the end of the week, you’ll go home with a beautiful custom-built kayak, a huge sense of accomplishment, and smiling so much that your face muscles will ache.



Build participants will arrive on site at Camp Arrowhead in Lewes, Delaware on Friday evening, September 29, getting to work bright and early on the morning of Saturday, September 30. The kayak build class runs concurrently with the Delmarva Paddlers Retreat, which officially begins on October 5 and runs through mid-day on October 8.



Registration is now open and the class will be limited to 8 students. The Early Bird registration fee of $2,350 includes lodging for the week beginning September 29 through October 8, Anders’ hands-on instruction, all materials to build and skin one kayak, and full access to four days of the Delmarva Paddlers Retreat. BTW, the retreat is fully immersive and includes all meals, housing, classes, exhibits, presentations and fun!!



On July 1, the registration fee for the build class will increase to $2,600. As always, let us know if you have any questions that are not answered on our web site and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.


Delmarva Paddler’s Retreat: www.delmarvapaddlersretreat.org

Email: info@delmarvapaddlersretreat.org

Kajakkspesialisten: http://kajakkspesialisten.no/e_index.php


About Anders Thygesen

Anders Thygesen is Danish, but has lived in Norway since 1992. He founded Kajakkspesialisten in 1996 and has since then worked on building traditional kayaks, teaching others to build traditional kayaks and giving kayak technique courses.

Anders has 3 years' education as an outdoors guide from Telemark Høgskole, and 3 years' education as an arts & crafts teacher. He has been involved with the Norwegian Canoe Association since 1998 as a member of Technical Committee for Sea Kayaking. Among other duties he has been responsible for the sea kayak instructor education programme in the Norwegian Canoe Association.


Anders works all over Norway, and in other countries. He collaborates with private institutions, organizations, unions, schools, clubs etc., or works independently.

David Belako
Is the full cost due at the time of registration?

Mike Hamilton

We had a cancellation, so we still have room in the qajaq build class. Our special guest this year might even help sew on your skin... and you would own a piece of qajaqing history! More to come on who this may be! Go to delmarvapaddlersretreat.org for more info and to register.

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