Kayak 2.1, Builder/Historians: David Zimmerly

Courtesy David Zimmerly

Courtesy David Zimmerly

Courtesy David Zimmerly

Luke Anguhadluq, Baker Lake, 1976.

Courtesy David Zimmerly

Courtesy David Zimmerly

Pete Catches, Courtesy David Zimmmerly

David Zimmerely was a working  anthropologist for over thirty years, associated in that time with various Canadian museums.  During his tenure he did some important work, surveying close to thirty kayaks and building ten and writing about them. There's a two part series on building an Aluet Badairka which appeared in The Small Boat Journal in 1983 and has wonderful drawings. There's also a piece on building an East Arctic Kayak for Sea Kayaker available on his website, and a reconstruction of another East Arctic Kayak, a 55 page manuscript, available for $10.00. He's also written two books on the history and construction of Aluet and Siberian kayaks and a book on Hooper Bay kayak.  His website, Arctic Kayaks is full of useful and interesting data, including an extensive piece on Ammaslimuit kayak (East Greenland) evolution from1889 to 1966 byRobert Gessain(1968) and I have especially found invaluable his annotated bibliography of kayaks. But there's lots more of interest for the traditional kayak enthusiast.

David has retired and is living a rich and interesting life pursuing other interests, including weaving in native north American techniques and photography, all found on another website.