Randøya Island Trip: Biology, Rowboats, Fishing, Sea Kayaking, and Motorboats

Our final trip of the semester began with gusto. We piled onto the bus that would take us to Kongshavn, or King’s Harbor, where we would then transfer our gear onto a motorboat. With corona restrictions as tight as they have ever been, all of us had to function a bit differently and the leadership style from our four instructors obviously changed. Kjetil and Thomas, our two primary leaders, avidly instructed us on the necessary protocols and guidelines for the duration of our time on the island. Having different people in charge and teaching was one of the most interesting and helpful parts of this trip. The change allowed me to see contrasting leadership styles and the intensive planning that is required for multi-day trips like this one.

The twenty-four of us were split into four groups that would rotate around four different activities: biology, rowboats & fishing, sea kayaking, and motorboats. After some free time to get settled, my group was first up for biology. I was most excited for this station because biology is a large part of my environmental science degree program and what I enjoyed studying back home. We met with Svein who embodied the most typical biologist and science professor demeanor and character—which we all loved! Along the walk to the study spot, we stopped to pick and eat the plants along the trail. I loved Wood Sorrel the best which tasted like sour green apple. Every one of us was baffled by knowing we could just eat what was alongside us and normally stepped on. We made our way to a sandy beach in a channel between Eastern Randøya and a small island called Burholmen. Here we were given and initial explanation of the area and then waders, wire nets, and aquascopes. With free reign to explore and the chance to ask Svein about anything and everything, all six of us when nuts like children. Screams of excitement erupted every new animal or plant we found, and we’d run back to shore to place them in our trays for analysis—or cooking.

Eventually, we piled around our four trays and chose which animals we wanted to try so Svein could boil them while we looked at the rest of what we collected. A wild find by Pauline and Svein was a female crab holding a cluster of eggs which allowed for a more in-depth discussion on crab anatomy and reproduction. I then began cutting at the adductor muscles of a couple cockle, which I know from biology courses would allow me to open it. I passed the raw cockle around while Svein shared the oyster, snails, and mussels. Half of the group loved the shellfish, and the other half was slightly repulsed by the former. Nonetheless, learning how to identify species of plants and animals around this coastal environment is incredibly useful not only for survival but also enjoyment and appreciation.

That night, the entire group of twenty-four was led around the island by Svein for a cultural history tour. I personally enjoy history so learning of the rich geologic and military history of the Kristiansand area was incredibly entertaining. After looking at some sites at the peak of Østre Randøya, we headed through “tick land” to the main bunker which held the primary control center. Svein lead each group through the unfinished tunnels to the communication rooms and command center. Here we were able to see where military operations took place not long ago and comprehend how they relate to the identity of Kristiansand.

Day two was equally as fun as the first. Our group was ready to tackle rowing and fishing in the morning with Petter. We sat down to listen to Petter before hopping in the row boats, but that was solely for him to explain his hands-off teaching style. I was fairly apprehensive and already a bit frustrated with his leadership but kept an open mind. We split into groups of two and hopped into three different row boats with a bucket of fishing gear. Immediately we struggled. Lucky for me and Luca, Petter was in our boat so we could ask him questions on how to turn, avoid turning, and be efficient. I felt as though the other four members of our group got a disproportionate amount of teaching given Petter was only instructing Luca and I while the rest drifted and attempted to figure the techniques out. Ultimately, I saw myself improve immensely over the two-hour session and become a confident in the basics of rowboats and rowing technique—though I do not think others were as fortunate.

Though rowing was fascinating to learn, I was far more interested the fishing aspect of this session. Unlike the group the night before, we were not going to set nets. Instead, we fished off our boats with a jig set up that had five lures and just a handle with the line wrapped around. Our first catch happened unexpectedly, and we were unsure who caught it because Pauline’s and Luca’s line became intertwined as we all drifted to a rocky shore for a break. The excitement was insane given the two had never caught a fish before—they were hooked now! This invigorated the group to continue fishing and a friendly competition between boats. I caught the second fish and was absolutely thrilled to be able to catch a fish here in Norway and affirm my love for the activity around the world. It was another cod and a big one. The other boats were not able to catch anything, which might have had to do with lack of instruction from Petter and inexperience in fishing. We then returned to shore and Petter handed the reigns to me to teach the group how to clean and fillet the fish. Being able to teach another skill I know well was a great opportunity to practice my role as a Veileder in a small group setting. It was also a happy realization that I sincerely enjoy sharing knowledge and seeing others enthusiastic to learn new things.

My euphoric high from the morning session was halted as soon as I remembered our afternoon session was kayaking. After the two days of practice and a distressing experience on our coastal tour, I was not keen on getting back on the water. Thomas, who we had met before during cycling, explained the two and a half hours ahead and I became more and more anxious. My group, however, knew my fear of the water and mental struggles I have around sea kayaking. People like Luca and Laura were extremely comforting and reassuring throughout the whole tour. Even as we were boarding our kayaks, Thomas asked, “You don’t like doing this, do you?” I laughed and affirmed his suspicions. Throughout the skills session and touring out to the open ocean, he was attentive to my concerns and reassured the boat’s and my abilities. This was the clearest moment during the semester for me to see differing leadership skills. Len and Thomas led sea kayaking in very different ways, but both methods worked. After a rough patch and side wind, I ended up having a lot of fun and trusting the skills I developed and exponentially improved that day. Surprisingly, I was excited to practice capsizing at the end and had no problem going through the even new procedures of an open water rescue. When it was my turn to capsize, Luca and I tried the ‘X’ method which was so much fun and left me smiling as we headed back to shore.

That night was a free time to do whatever we pleased. Some continued to kayak, swim, and others played spikeball. After fishing some more, I proceeded to the kitchen to finally prove my cooking abilities to the entire group. This entire semester I have been baffled by how everyone loves to bake and cook—I cannot relate. However, I do know how to catch, fillet, and bake fish so I prepared the cod how I know best, and we shared our eleven fish with the group. Everyone enjoyed the meal which left me delighted. I was especially happy this final trip was all together so we could enjoy each other’s company and have a final night of singing into the sunset before some of us began departing for home in a week.

The last morning began with packing up and cleaning our temporary, military home. There was no social loafing, negative feelings, or visible conflict throughout the group during this or the duration of the trip. This and many other reasons made it my favorite trip. Our group dynamics were pristine whether that was from us finally reaching the “performing” stage of Tuckman’s model and or us being aware of what all goes into ideal group dynamics.

My group then began our final session of the trip which was motorboats. Kjetil began by taking us onto the big motorboat that brought us out to the island on Monday. We discussed the differences between types of motorboats, their engines, and the rules applicable to motorboat use. I had experience with these types of boats, but none in relation to the ocean or in-depth so this was all new and useful knowledge for me. Kjetil passed out a marine navigation charts to each one of us and we began decoding them. We all had preliminary knowledge from the previous weeks lecture but had yet to discuss them hands on. He worked around the group, allowing each one of us to point out a potentially important feature on the map that would be useful for navigation. Most everything I heard was new and it was obvious we were all incredibly intrigued, taking the time to ask plenty of questions and digest the material.

Then it was time to hop in the boats and learning the necessary maneuvers for captaining the boat. By this point in the week, the three small boats everyone was using to practice and learn were giving out. Consequently, we divided into groups of three to take the better of the two boats with Luca and Pauline leading with their experience and licensed knowledge. We proceeded to practice the starting procedures, steering, and docking of the small boats which I found harder than expected. Nonetheless, I managed each task and enjoyed the brand-new challenge. Unfortunately, though, the other half of our group’s boat engine was not working, and they had to row the boat in. Mira and I were happy to switch out of our boat and allow Laura and Nico to practice what we had just done. Notably, our group of six functioned so well throughout the trip and fell so easily into the nuances of group management and preservation. The size, as we know from the theoretical side of this program, was ideal for teaching and this trip so easily reflected that. It was a joyous final field trip to end the semester and the Outdoor Education program and I hope my fellow “internationals” felt just as I did.