Kite-skiers set sail into Nunavik’s fourth annual tournament

Kite-skiers sail across Wakeham Bay in Kangiqsujuaq during Nunavik’s 2013 regional championship. Sixteen skiers have returned to the same community this week to take part in this year’s event. (FILE PHOTO)

It’s one of Nunavik’s fastest-growing sports.

Kite-skiing, the wind-powered sport that uses large kits to sail across ice and snow, has attracted dedicated skiers in almost all of the region’s 14 communities.

And this week, the best of Nunavik’s kite-skiers are in Kangiqsujuaq on the Hudson Strait for the region’s fourth annual kite-ski championship, when 16 Inuit kite-skiers will face off along windy Wakeham Bay.

But while the sport has up until now attracted mostly men, two young women from Inukjuak are taking part in the event this year.

Natalie Echalook and Qumangu Ningiuk both started kite-skiing when a Kativik Regional Government program sent instructors and equipment to their Hudson coast community.

“When the instructor came to our community last year, I wanted to try it,” said Ningiuk, 19. “And I l really liked it.”

The KRG now runs the Nunavik Kite-Ski program, with the help of the Quebec-based Arctic Wind Riders.

The program outfitted many of the region’s communities with equipment, which is kept at local municipal offices to loan out to local skiers.

That’s what Echalook, 23, does many evenings and weekends once she’s finished a day of work at the municipal office.

“I just put some music on and go,” she said.

Between April 30 and May 3, kite-skiers will take part in a number of events in Kangiqsujuaq, including the triangle race, the long-distance race, speed runs and freestyle demonstrations.

Kite-skiers will also have a chance to attend workshops on how to push their limits by doing jumps and “kite loops.”

“We are really excited about this year’s event and we invite all Kangiqsujuammiut to come out and join the activities,” said Nancianne Grey, who heads up the KRG’s recreation department.

“We are glad to have competitors from so many communities.”

For Nungiuk, the championship isn’t so much about winning, she said, as it is about having fun and meeting new friends.

“I’m excited,” she said.

The view out over Wakeham Bay, framed by snowy mountains, doesn’t hurt either.

“The view on the bay is great and it makes it a special place to ride on skis,” said Aparta Saviadjuk, Kangiqsujuaq’s recreation coordinator. “The kids and youth are inspired by the kite-skiers they can see riding in the bay.”

When the wind dies down, the skiers can even climb up the mountains and sail down the hills, she said.

“Kite-ski gives the opportunity to our youth to do something positive, have fun and move,” she added. “When they have nothing to do, they often get involved in negative activities.”

The championship’s closing ceremonies and medals will be handed out on May 2.

You can follow the competition on the Nunavik Kite-Ski Facebook page.