VIKING OF THE MONTH: For Roger Pande Løvall (47) from Nevlunghavn, it all started with restoring older clinker-built boats. Now, he’s taking his passion further as a volunteer builder of the Gokstad Ship.
By Einar Chr. Erlingsen
“With six burial mounds on my property in Nevlunghavn, I could hardly avoid becoming interested in history,” Roger explains. His interest led him five years ago to join the Nesjar Boat Group, a division of Nesjarspillet in Helgeroa. Nesjarspillet “recreates” the historical Battle of Nesjar, fought between Saint Olaf and his opponents in 1016.
11 Boats Saved
The boat group focuses on clinker-built boats and has restored no fewer than 11 boats from the period 1850 to 1950, ranging from 16 to 25 feet in length.
“Our mission is to preserve both the boats and the traditional construction techniques. The use of the boats is also important. I had never sailed before, but I learned from YouTube! Now I can handle all 11 of our boats,” Roger says enthusiastically.
Roger’s experience with the boat group, along with his connection to OVA’s department head in Sandefjord, Tore Forsberg, recently brought him to the construction sites of the archaeological replica of the Gokstad Ship. Much of the shaping of the ship’s individual components takes place at Viking Park in Sandefjord. From there, the parts are transported for assembly at the shipyard in Tønsberg.
A Thousand-Year Legacy
“My motivation for volunteering on the Gokstad Ship is primarily because I think it’s important to preserve the building traditions and pass them on to the next generation,” says Roger. “It’s essential that they aren’t forgotten.” He finds something deeply fascinating in studying shapes and lines and how challenges in construction were addressed.
“Many of the techniques and solutions have been used for over 1,000 years. Working and learning from this experience gives me so much. Plus, it’s good for my health!”
If you’re interested in joining as a volunteer, feel free to drop by during working hours at either Viking Park in Sandefjord or Vikingodden in Tønsberg. There’s plenty to do, and necessary training will be provided.
