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It was a triumphant return to the water for kayak lovers Natasha Kimmaliarjuk, Kelvin Putulik, Nuvak Ippiak, Aaron Alogut, Anulik Kadjuk, River Autut, KJ Putulik, Jeffrey Kukkiak, Matt Woods, Vanessa Mimialik, Paaka Aggark, Maliki Kattegatsiak, Simon Aggark and Ryan Qiyuk, from left, this past month in Chesterfield Inlet. - photo courtesy of Ana Leishman

IGLULIGAARJUK/CHESTERFIELD INLET
Members of the Victor Sammurtok School Kayak Club in Chesterfield Inlet returned to the water with a vengeance this past month after a year's hiatus from one of their favourite pastimes.

Teacher Glen Brocklebank said this year's kayak program was one of the best he's ever run in a number of different ways.

Brocklebank said there wasn't enough gear or kayaks to accommodate the 35 students who took part.

He said more students gave kayaking a try this past month than at any other time.

"We spent more time working on skills because we had to split the program in two," said Brocklebank.

"Because we had so many students, and not enough gear, we didn't accomplish as much as we could have.

"We had about four polar bears a day reported in the community and that put a bit of a damper on things.

"We didn't do our usual overnight camping trip because of safety concerns."

Brocklebank said the students did go on one trip, with the support of the recreation co-ordinator, school community counsellor, wildlife officer and an elder.

He said students in grades 9 to 12 were able to paddle out and around Chester Point for about a three-kilometre trip.

"Some of the kids felt more comfortable sticking to the fresh water, while others were right out on the ocean.

"The weather was absolutely fantastic, with most of our time on the ocean being without any wind at all.

"It was absolutely perfect for kayaking and the only bummer was the bears."

Brocklebank said it's obvious 22 kayaks are no longer enough to support the program.

He said they'll apply to Culture, Language, Elders and Youth (CLEY) for more funding this year.

"We didn't meet the regulatory requirements to access funding the last time, but, hopefully, we'll be able to meet it this year.

"We wouldn't have a program without the CLEY funding we got in the past.

"It was pretty unbelievable how pumped the kids were to have the kayak program back.

"It seemed like every student in grades 9 to 12 was excited to have kayaking back, so a year of no funding exploded interest and demand for it this year."

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