At Arctic Wind Riders, we've harnessed the power of sports, the beauty of nature, and the strength of local communities to create a movement that empowers Northern Canada. Discover a unique program where the wind becomes a source of empowerment on the land.
Our mission is to empower individuals through sports, connect them with the raw beauty of nature, and tap into the boundless energy of local communities. Through the Arctic Wind Riders program, we aim to:
Arctic Wind Riders is more than just physical activity; it's a pathway to self-discovery, confidence, and empowerment on the land. We encourage young leaders to reach out to their peers, break down barriers to an active lifestyle, and become change-makers in their communities.
We collaborate with local and regional recreation departments, provincial and national youth engagement movements, and organizations dedicated to suicide and crime prevention. The program also contributed to promoting Participaction's national program in Nunavut, including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
Join us in experiencing the unique blend of sports, nature, and local energy that defines Arctic Wind Riders. Feel the empowerment on the land and become part of a brighter future for Northern Canada.
The week-long initiation camps are the cornerstone of our program's success. It's a week of activity for everyone, where participants learn sailing skills with a traction kite and alpine ski techniques to travel the land with the wind. Each day is divided into sessions, sometimes in 4 periods of 2 hours for groups of 10 students, depending on groups and wind conditions. The formula often includes a program coordinator/instructor, accompanied by one or two instructors from participating communities.
The initiation camps serve multiple purposes, whether is to launch the new kite-ski club, kick-start the spring season, or to bring energizing colors to a regional event. In addition to assisting the local club, our objective is to train two to four (2-4) emerging participants as instructors, ensuring that expertise is passed on within the community.
Through daily initiation camp activities, AWR promotes a healthy and active lifestyle among young people. Demonstrations and races are enjoyed by playful minds of all ages. Community members are welcome on the ice and often bring tea, bannick, and maktak to share with the young participants. They particularly appreciate the display of colorful energy and its positive impact on the whole community. Video of initiation camps: Whale Cove, Igloolik. Quikiqtarjuaq, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Grise Fiord.
Our instructor program reaches out to young people aged 14 to 25. Students who have acquired expertise in hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities in the winter are often the first to get involved and eager to share their passion and their knowledge of the ice, tides, local fauna, and best practice sites. By sharing their passion for this new sport, they develop leadership skills and become active and productive members of their community
During our exciting initiation camps, enthusiastic facilitators emerge and receive valuable training advice from instructors. They have the opportunity to become certified instructors by attending our annual instructor clinic at the beginning of the season. Those most involved locally are invited as an instructor to co-lead initiation camps with a senior instructor in other communities where they continue to develop their skills in leadership and in the sport itself.
This is where the groundwork is laid: organizing care, acquiring expertise and sports equipment, and planning weekly programs of supervised activities for the season. Depending on the region, favorable conditions with safe snow and ice stretch between November and May. The club's equipment needs are planned well in advance to ensure delivery before the scheduled initiation camp. At the end of the week, in collaboration with the recreation department, we organize a work schedule and a budget, enabling new kite-ski instructors to continue their support throughout the season.
Since 2006, the Arctic Wind Riders program has been introduced in twenty-six (26) northern communities in Canada, mainly in Nunavik and Nunavut. The initiation camps alone have reached approximately 4,000 students and young adults. All participating communities have developed technical and leadership skills by training two to four (2-4) instructors and have sufficient equipment to provide training and supervised practices in their community.
In Nunavik, the Kativik Regional Administration (KRG) has been managing the program with the communities since 2012. It offers support for the development of the local kite ski club with the supervision of a regional coordinator, sports equipment, and part-time salaries for local instructors who assist their Recreation Coordinator with recreational, after-school, and weekend activities.
Nunavik (Québec) : Akulivik, Aupaluk, Inukjuak, Ivujivik, Kangiqsualujuaq, Kangiqsujuaq, Kangirsuk, Kuujjuarapik, Kuujjuaq, Puvirnituq, Quaqtaq, Salluit, Tasiujaq, Umiujaq et le Parc des Pingualuit. Québec : Kawawachikamach
Nunavut : Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, Grise Fjord, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Resolute Bay, Whale Cove.
Inuits are known to be very competitive in hockey, and now in kite-skiing too. The Arctic Wind Riders Championship is the most anticipated moment for instructors and the most competitive of the great family of "Inuit riders". it's an opportunity to meet other instructors from remote communities during a week of competitions. During this event, participants engage their competitive spirit and share their passion and it's a chance to develop new friendships, challenge their own limits, and deepen their knowledge through on-site training clinics.
Kite maintenance, kite safety configurations, and the importance of having a safe approach. Clinics also cover ski sharpening, waxing, and binding adjustments. During the championships, the teaching techniques are also practiced with young people from the local school and adults who come down to the bay to observe the activity, following an invitation on the airwaves of the local radio. Since 2007, 9 championships have been organized including Kangirsuk, 2008, Iqaluit 2009, Kuujjuaq 2010, Inukjuaq 2014, Puvirnituq 2016 et Kangiqsujuaq 2012-13-15-18.
Post event video : Iqaluit Championship Kuujjuaq Championship
Kite-ski being practiced on the wide open bays, we often interact with passing-by hunters, who happen to like this new outdoor activity. In some communities we have to be escorted by guides/hunters to protect the kids from polar bears spotted close by, so they become part of the activities. Since many young do not get the opportunity to get out on the land while others are just hooked up to their mobile, we collaborate with community hamlets, schools, and social services to coordinate projects bringing together experienced hunters and young people to share knowledge specific to their territory, ice, winds, and wildlife but also the opportunity to learn other traditional techniques and knowledge specific to the local Inuit culture.
In 2019, with Kangisujuaq Hamlet, Landholding Corporation, Arsaniq school, social services, and local hunters, we planned a five-day excursion filled with on-the-land activities for nine young people, four girls, and five boys. Beginning with a 100km travel to a well-known fishing and hunting ground, participants had the opportunity to participate in igloo building, ptarmigan hunting, under-the-ice net fishing, preparing char and ptarmigan meals, visiting seal & goose hunting islands, combined with dog sledding, kite-skiing, downhill skiing, and fat-bike.
During our visits to the communities, we strive to maximize the opportunities to learn and to remain active outside. Since the equipment for traction skiing requires boots and downhill skis, or even a snowboard, and since many communities have a favorable environment, the initiation to downhill skiing becomes natural, even a must in some communities. Much appreciated by young people, this activity also attracts many enthusiastic adults. In spring, with the presence of the sun until 10h-11h PM depending on the region, the practice of downhill skiing continues after supper.
Although alpine skiing is practiced when the wind is insufficient for the use of kites, many have acquired a remarkable level in a short time. Over the years, we have noticed that young Inuit demonstrate impressive athletic abilities to perform as high-level athletes from day one, whether in kite skiing or alpine skiing. Video : Pangnirtung, Grise Fiord, Igloolik
To explore the Arctic, traction kites and skis are the vehicles of choice for environmentally conscious travelers. Light and powerful, they color the present moment and leave no prints. Up north, exotic opportunities can be found simply in front of the community where the bay quickly leads to a fjord or on sea ice. Browse the pictures from some of our favorite spots.
Apart from working with Hamlet recreation services and with the school, kite-ski instructors have the opportunity to offer their service to visitors, workers coming up for a few weeks, the school, and local residents. We offer support to local instructors to communicate their offer and organize their operation in collaboration with local Hamlet and economic development.
In 2014, the first expedition to the crater made it possible to equip the facilities of the Park near the crater with kite skis and alpine skis to test the possibilities of the sector and allow young students and tourists who frequent it to practice these new activities.
In 2018, a small group excursion to Pinqualuit Park gives an idea of what you can find. Kite skiing back from the crater to Kangiqsujuaq over 4 days with wind conditions ranging from 10 to 40 knots, alpine descents in the crater, and various gorges along the way. Travels are always punctuated by stops to warm up, and for visitors, a unique chance to taste traditional food. Arctic char fishing is ubiquitous along the route. Mussel fishing under the ice, a local delicacy that can be found just off the village, is accessible only with seasoned local guides.
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