Two traditional Tlingit canoes powered by local students traversed 17.64 miles between Statter Harbor and Douglas Harbor on Friday, June 25, 2021. (Courtesy Photo/Chuck Seaca, Alaska Humanities Forum)

Paddling the channel

Local students complete 17-mile journey

Juneauites peering out into the Gastineau Channel Friday were treated to a rare sight — two traditional Tlingit canoes snaking through the water.

The canoes were powered by local students who completed a 17.64-mile trip over almost seven hours on Friday. The group left Don D. Statter Harbor and arrived at Douglas Harbor with just two quick stops along the way.

“We’ve been training for the last few weeks,” said Kyle Worl, who led the expedition.

Alaska Science Forum: A trip to a ghost forest in Southeast Alaska

Worl, who also serves as the Native Youth Olympics coach, said the group has been training in Auke Lake to prepare for the all-day trip.

The journey was part of a summer school class that combines traditional games with physical education as part of the Juneau School District’s summer schedule. The course is a partnership between the school district, Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, the Douglas Indian Association and the Alaska Humanities Forum, Worl said.

Visitor rescues fisherman trapped in mud near hatchery

Battling the elements

Friday’s weather didn’t lend itself to an easy journey.

“It was choppy at first,” Worl said, adding that the group endured rain all day along with rough waters. “It’s part of the experience. It builds strength.”

Students on the journey reported a sense of accomplishment as they celebrated Friday afternoon after completing the trip.

“This was really good. Lots of fun,” said Jordan Bennet, who will enter tenth grade at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé this autumn. She said the rowers sang traditional Lingít songs to pass the time on the water.

Fellow rower Kyle Kinnville, a rising senior at Thunder Mountain High School, said that he enjoyed the day.

Kinnville said the two canoes started to race as they rounded the final stretch into Douglas Harbor.

“The racing was hard. That’s a lot of pulling, he said as he enjoyed pier-side pizza Friday afternoon. “But, I wouldn’t mind going back out.”

• Contact reporter Dana Zigmund at dana.zigmund@juneauempire.com or 907-308-4891.

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Sept. 17

Here’s what to expect this week.

Jordan Creek flows over a portion of a footbridge behind a shopping center Thursday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake until 10 a.m. Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake issued until 10 a.m. Friday

Glacier Highway, structures near Jordan Creek may inundated, according to National Weather Service.

Soon-departing Assembly member and Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski smiles for a photo at her seat in the Assembly chambers Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Q&A: Deputy Mayor Gladziszewski prepares for departure, shares advice to candidates

The long-serving Juneau Assembly member nears the end of her final term.

Participants in the 38th Annual International Coastal Cleanup carry a fishnet to a boat on a coast near Sitka in August. (Ryan Morse / Sitka Conservation Society)
Resilient Peoples and Place: Coastal cleanup removes 1,400 lbs. of trash from Sitka’s beaches

Effort by wide range of groups part of global project that has collected 350 million lbs. of waste.

Cars drive past the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in Juneau on Thursday. This year’s Permanent Fund dividend will be $1,312, the state Department of Revenue announced. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This year’s official Permanent Fund dividend: $1,312

Distribution of payments will begin Oct. 5.

Albino Mbie, a Mozambique-born musician whose band is now based in Boston, performs during a youth jam at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday night as a prelude to the Áak’w Rock Indigenous music festival that starts Thursday. His band is scheduled to perform at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Áakʼw Rock ready for full-fledged opening as ‘monumental, historic event’

Youth jam Wednesday offers preview as only Indigenous music festival in U.S. makes in-person debut.

This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Sept. 21, 2005. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Sept. 24

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Photo of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Jarvis, date unknown. (Courtesy of Jack Hunter/ All Present and Accounted For)
Of things Jarvis, heroic men and reindeer

Author Steven Craig giving a talk on David Jarvis and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Jarvis

Eleven of the 14 candidates seeking four seats on the Juneau Assembly in the Oct. 3 municipal election answer questions during a forum Friday night at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Assembly candidates challenged to offer plan of action, not just talk, at Tlingit and Haida forum

11 of 14 contenders for four seats get extra time to respond to some tough questioning.

Most Read