CHESTERFIELD INLET - Students at Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet completed another building phase in their kayak program this past month.

The students took the final two weeks of the semester to finish the skin on seven kayaks, bringing the school's total kayak armada up to 22.

Victor Sammurtok students Darren and Junior Tanuyak, back row from left, and Lavinia Tanuyak, Maani Brown, Brandon Ipkarnerk, Roger Tautu, Thor Ittinuar and Ashley Tanuyak, front row from left, proudly display the latest additions to their school's kayak fleet in Chesterfield Inlet earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Glen Brocklebank

Teacher Glen Brocklebank said the students also worked on achieving credits during the two weeks.

He said they did a framing course - during which they built a stage for the school - before moving on to sew and stain the kayaks, and construct a new shed to house their gear.

"We also had time to retrofit our big shed so it would accommodate the extra seven boats," said Brocklebank.

"We focused on a lot of planning and construction to apply towards our career-and-technology studies.

"Our attendance takes a bit of a hit after the fishing derby, so this allowed students who took part to get three of the 27 unspecified credits they need to graduate."

A total of 18 students from Grade 9 to Grade 12 took part in the projects.

The school scheduled exams a bit earlier this spring so the students could finish the year working with their hands.

Brocklebank said the approach worked well.

He said the students who participated did a good job and worked very hard on the projects.

"The boats look incredible and we're going to spend the first two weeks of school next year kayaking.

"First we'll learn how to paddle them properly and then head out on the land.

"We plan to just overnight our first time out, and then go a three-day, two-night trip following that.

"We hope to paddle down one of the lakes to the ocean and then paddle back on another."

Brocklebank said the experienced students are really looking forward to the kayak trips.

And, he said, the younger students coming up behind them are looking forward to their first experience with the boats.

"The Grade 8 kids were watching us in the gym and kept asking if there was anything they could do to help us out.

"They'll start fresh in our kayak program next year, but they're actually getting a little impatient waiting to be involved."