This fall, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and Delmarva Paddlers Retreat are partnering up to offer the public a chance to build their own skin-on-frame kayak.
Scheduled for Friday, Sept. 30–Thursday, Oct. 6, this weeklong intensive will be led by Anders Thygesen of Vestfossen, Norway. Thygesen, himself an expedition kayaker, is a favorite guest of the Delmarva Paddlers Retreat and has been building traditional craft since 1996.
Thygesen models his build classes on the best tradition of the Inuit, where skills are passed on from person to person. Participants will enjoy the opportunity to personalize the kayak as they wish, both in form and function, as each person builds their own kayak from scratch. Simple hand tools will be used, and a working knowledge of planes, chisels, and small hand saws is recommended. If time allows, participants will also be able to carve their own paddle.
The program takes place on CBMM’s waterfront St. Michaels, Md., campus from 8am–6pm each day, and costs $1,975 per participant, which includes materials for a completed kayak. Participation is limited; to register email [email protected].
Visit bit.ly/CBMMKayakBuild to learn more.