Greg is the past-President and founder of Qajaq USA, the American Chapter of the Greenland Kayaking Association (Qaannat Kattuffiat). Greg loves to teach and has coached across the USA and worldwide.
Greg is perhaps best known for his study, teaching and writings of Greenland technique and culture. He authored several articles for Sea Kayaker magazine and the chapter, “Using Greenland Paddles” in “Eastern Arctic Kayaks, History, Design, Technique” by John D. Heath and E. Y. Arima. Greg is a featured paddler in Justine Curgenven’s “This is the Sea” video, and is a guest-instructor in “Nigel Foster’s Sea Kayaking Series”.
A minimalist by nature, Greg was attracted to Greenland-style kayaking and began learning Greenland-style skills in the late eighties. He credits the late kayak historian, John Heath, and six-time Greenland champion Maligiaq Padilla, as his primary mentors. In 2000 he attended a week-long training camp in Qoornoq, Greenland and learned from some of Greenland’s best kayakers.
Greg participated on the first American team, when the annual Greenland Kayaking Championship was opened to outsiders in 2000. He won his age group in the World Class (combination of all Greenlanders and foreigners). Greg returned again to participate in 2002. While there he enjoyed kayaking in several locations along the Southwest Greenland coast in a traditional skin covered kayak; “The Greenlandic coast and fiords are truly soul-inspiring in their beauty. Works of man are few, and the immense landscape both humbles and empowers you at the same time”.
Some of Greg’s favorite kayak camping destinations includes the Pukaskwa coast of Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands, Isle Royale in Lake Superior, the Westfjords of Iceland, and exploring the coastal areas of the Florida Everglades.
In June 2007 Greg and Freya Hoffmeister circumnavigated Iceland (1,620 km) in 33 days (25 paddling days), a record. Greg paddled an NDK Explorer and used a carbon Superior Kayaks Greenland paddle.
In June 2008 Greg circumnavigated Newfoundland solo (2,102 km) in 44 days (35 paddling days), a record. Greg paddled an NDK Greenlander Pro and used a take-apart carbon Superior Kayaks Greenland paddles on the trip (86″ and 88”).
In 2013 and 2015 Greg won his class (solo kayak) in the 300 mile Everglades Challenge, a 300 mile expedition-race from Tampa to Key Largo. Greg raced using an Epic 18X kayak with an ONNO Endurance wing and a Greenland paddle.
