Alutiiq/Sugpiaq History of the Paddle

Alutiiq/Sugpiaq hunters used skin-covered kayaks and single-bladed wooden paddles for coastal navigation, distinguishing them from neighboring cultures' double-bladed paddles. The craftsmen made these paddles from hard woods found on local beaches. Kayakers paddled while kneeling, alternating strokes on either side for stability in rough waters. They stored their paddles on the kayak deck and carried a spare for emergencies. In storms, kayakers could raft their boats together, and in winter, paddles were used to scrape ice off the kayak. Additionally, men used the paddles to detect sea mammals by feeling vibrations in the water.