Kevin Floyd could probably talk forever about Inuvialuit qayaqing.

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the impression he gives anyway, when his eyes light up and he starts describing the ways Inuvialuit qayaqs are built, how his people used to hunt birds and whales with them, the skills involved in rolling and staying quiet in the water.

SA国际影视传媒淩ight off the bat, our paddles are different,SA国际影视传媒� he said when asked what makes Inuvialuit qayaqs different from southern ones.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 shaped a lot like a plane propeller. It was designed a long time ago to be optimum in the wild up here, in the water. It gives you lift when youSA国际影视传媒檙e in the water. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 nice and quiet. And then our qayaqs, theySA国际影视传媒檙e skin on frame.SA国际影视传媒�

He pulled one out from storage in the Midnight Sun ComplexSA国际影视传媒檚 pool.

Floyd went through every part of the qayaq, which is made from wood and then wrapped in a skin.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot like the 1950s flared fenders on cars,SA国际影视传媒� he said about the pointed-up ends. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e heard a lot of people say itSA国际影视传媒檚 a handle. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not comfortable to carry it like this any distance. I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 just for style and design.SA国际影视传媒�

Inuvialuit hunters would use the qayaqs to hunt ducks, geese and whales.

For ducks and geese, they used a tool that flung a three-pronged spear. Floyd hunts, but he mostly uses a shotgun.

Whales take a little more work.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou have to get up to it, make a good placement with your harpoon and then finish it off with a gun,SA国际影视传媒� said Floyd.

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 if youSA国际影视传媒檙e doing it on your own or with another person. Traditionally, in the old days, there would be dozens and dozens of families all gathering out in the Delta. They would paddle out to sea and then corral the beluga whales into the shallows where they canSA国际影视传媒檛 maneuver, and then they would use a big lance to spear them.SA国际影视传媒�

Floyd hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 gone whale hunting himself, but he did build a qayaq for a young man who wanted to.

The slim shape, rounded hull and length of the qayaq mean it can be turned on a dime, which is exactly whatSA国际影视传媒檚 necessary to pursue fast-moving belugas.

The Inuvik Qayaq Club held its annual general meeting last week. The group meets regularly to practise skills in the rec centre pool and then use them out in the water on day trips.

SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to potentially see an overnight trip,SA国际影视传媒� said Jennifer Lam, vice-chair of the organization, at the meeting.

More opportunities for members to build qayaqs and oars were also suggested going forward.

Anyone is welcome to drop by the clubSA国际影视传媒檚 pool practice sessions from 5 SA国际影视传媒� 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Even people who have trepidations about being in the water, and especially rolling upside down in a qayaq in it, are encouraged to try it out.

Floyd said some people have come in with a huge ingrained fear and panic response to being upside down in the water, and they have since progressed to being able to hang under for 45 seconds before twisting themselves and their qayaq up.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey get up to about 45 seconds and then they just get bored and come up,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪o itSA国际影视传媒檚 gone from someone whoSA国际影视传媒檚 been terrified of being in the water to SA国际影视传媒榊eah, ISA国际影视传媒檓 rocking it.SA国际影视传媒� You donSA国际影视传媒檛 have to be a swimmer.SA国际影视传媒�

The rolling skill is key to the traditionSA国际影视传媒檚 history.

SA国际影视传媒淚n the Inuit qayaqing culture, if you flip upside down and you canSA国际影视传媒檛 get back up, youSA国际影视传媒檙e not going to be a very good hunter,SA国际影视传媒� said Floyd.

Floyd and Lam will both be south this weekend at the Pacific Paddling Symposium in Victoria, BC.

They will be teaching traditional Inuvialuit qayaqing skills.

Anyone interested in the sport is encouraged to contact the Inuvik Qayaq Club on Facebook or drop in to one of the Sunday sessions.