On the first two days of the trip we paddled down the Byglandsfjord from Bygland to Evje. During this two days we slept on an island. The third day we biked to Kilefjord, where we would go climbing (top rope climbing and abseiling) and also spend the night. The last day we biked back to Kristiansand. During all these days we had really beautiful weather, sunny and almost no wind. I think that also played a part in the experience I had on this trip. The trip would be completely different, if it was bad weather.
It was nice to be again away in a bigger group, the half of our class. In the evening we al sat together and made a bonfire and talked about the day and other things, which was really nice to get to know each other even better and what also developed the group cohesion more and more. A bonfire is such a good way to get to know each other better and get a better connection. It was also really nice to get to know our teacher (Len) better. This was the first time that he overnighted with us, which was really nice. We joked and talked about other years and our year with everyone. During everything we could work good together as a team. For example during loading the car or taking the gear we needed out. During the two days of paddling we switched partners every day, so you could feel the difference by switching partners. For example my second partner had more strength in her body, so that made us go faster but also had to make our paddle technique better to stay in a straight line. I already paddled two or three times in a canoe, but it was nice to develop my paddle technique further and learn some new techniques. The tips I got from our teacher and my partners were also handy to get, so I would know where I had to pay attention on. For example turning my whole body when paddling, so that I use my whole upperbody strength instead of only my arms. We also did some navigating on the water, which was easier than I expected. The islands were very clear to see and then find on the map, which made it easy to navigate where we were. It was nice to also lead the group. You had to make sure you went in the right direction, but you also had to take care of the group, by checking if everyone could follow, if everyone was okay and if no one would go too far from the side of the fjord/river. Leading the group was more about being the leader or veiledner, than leading the group from point A to B. During the climbing I had a lot of support from one of my classmates, which was really nice. She told always everything very clearly what she was doing and made sure that I felt safe and comfortable to do the climbing. She also gave me tips during the climbing, for example where I could try to go up. I was really thankful for this, because this made me feel safe and comfortable, what was also her aim. I think that was a really good skill from her for being a leader. I learned that I had a lot of strength in my body, because I could hold myself really long when I was not sure where to go during climbing, but I also learned that I had to trust more on the capabilities of my body while climbing. During the biking we decided to bike all together as a group. This can be nice, but it is also more difficult, because of all the different speeds everyone is used to. It went really well! We stayed together and slowed down if the last people couldn’t follow, we made breaks when someone needed them and I also had my music box with me for motivation, because that’s something I learned from the last two bike trips I did, like I already wrote in the last assignment. The two stops at a cafe during the biking, where also really nice and good for the cohesion and group dynamics. On this trip I also experienced again that friluftsliv is everywhere and can be experienced in different settings, this time during padding, climbing and biking. Every time again the nature surprises me with the beauty and peacefulness.
Just like the last trip, this trip I could also perfectly use in Belgium during my future carrier.