Wolfgang Brinck
Wolfgang Brinck
1615 Seaborn Ct.
Alameda, CA 94501
Telephone: (510) 846-5488
email: boats@wolfgangbrinck.com
Wolfgang Brinck Boat Bio
Summary
Wolfgang Brinck has been active in buidling traditional skin on frame kayaks, researching them, spreading information about them and teaching others how to build them since 1987.1987 - Build first traditional kayak
In 1987, I built my first traditional Greenland style kayak based on a book written by a Greenland School teacher named HC Petersen.
1987 onward - Start research on traditional kayaks
After the first boat, I built more boats of different types. As I did so I started doing more and more research, collecting books and visiting museums with Arctic collections. The research is ongoing.
Wolfgang Brinck examining an Aleutian kayak frame at the Phoebe Hearst Museum in Berkeley. Just behind Wolfgang, Steve Littlebear, fellow researcher.
1987 onward - Start kayak testing program
In addition to building, I also did extensive testing of the boats I built. I now have 17 years worth of experience in the strength, longevity and durability of traditional kayaks. I also improved my kayaking skills. Among other things, fellow kayaker, Martin Honel and I started kayaking Lake Michigan year-round, developing expertise in cold-weather paddling. This sort of experimentation throws light on the capabilities of traditional boats.
1991 Cofound the Native Watercraft Society
To share our knowledge of traditional boats and to encourage further research into traditional kayaks, fellow boat builders Martin Honel, Dan Joyce and I founded the Native Watercraft Society. The society published its research in the Journal of the Native Watercraft Society.1993 - The Aleutian Kayak is published
The next few boats I built after the initial Greenland boat were Aleutian style kayaks for which there were plans but no construction books.
To remedy the problem , I wrote The Aleutian Kayak which was published by Ragged Mountain Press, a division of McGraw Hill.
The book went through two printings and in the words of one builder became the bible of Aleutian style boat building.
Reviews and testimonials to the books can be found here.
1994 - Start teaching traditional kayak construction
As I got a reputation as the local kayak building expert, I started teaching building classes to local kayak clubs.
2004 - Start Boatbuilding and Paddle making full time
In 2004 I started boatbuilding and paddle making full time. I also started teaching boat building and traditional kayaking skills.2004 - Teach Boatbuilding in the Aleutians
In the spring of 2004, I was invited to the Aleutians by Akutan High School teacher and Principal Kurt Schmidt to help his class build traditional Aleutian kayaks. Before I left, we launched the first kayak that had been seen on local waters since the 1930's.
Karen Winkler on the beach in front of Akutan's school with her finished baidarka frame.