Memorial Notice from the entire Crew

We are deeply heartbroken to share the news that our dear friend and fellow explorer, Karla Dana, has passed away. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Karla’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. We extend our deepest condolences and support, and we hope they find solace in the cherished memories of Karla and the profound impact she made on our lives.

Karla was a treasured member of our expedition, part of a six-person international crew led by Swiss skipper Andy Fitze, undertaking a journey to honor the legacy of the famed Viking navigator Naddodd. This mission was a tribute to historical exploration and a reflection of Karla’s dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and preserving cultural heritage.

The crew was made up of highly experienced explorers who undertook extensive training and implemented all necessary safety measures for this ambitious journey. Their preparation was thorough, and they took every precaution to ensure their safety. Despite their diligent efforts and adherence to these measures, the outcome was unforeseen and deeply upsetting.

We are honored to share a statement from Alejandra Dana, the sister of Karla, Grant McDaniel the fiancé of Karla, and Veronika Bschorr, best friend of Karla, which captures their reflections during this time:

Karla lived by one simple quote:

Nothing is impossible. The word itself says
“I’m Possible” - Audrey Hepburn

She tackled every adventure with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She always made life look easy.
She created a light that illuminated everyone around her everywhere she went. If you ever had the opportunity to know her, consider yourself one of the luckiest people on this planet.”

 

We remain committed to supporting Karla’s family during this difficult time and honoring her legacy through our continued efforts in exploration and scientific advancement.

Karla’s memory will forever be cherished, and her pursuit of meaningful science will continue to inspire us all.

With deep appreciation and grief,
Andy and the Crew

Karla Dana

Credit: Saeny Blaser

Welcome to The Viking Voyage

Meet online the Skipper Andy

🚀 "The Viking Voyage" is about to enter its critical phase. We've found our weather window, and both the boat and crew are ready. ⛵️🌊 To give everyone a glimpse of how challenging this sailing trip can be, I'll be explaining the boat and all the details online this Friday. I'm excited to have you join us! 😊

You're invited to The Viking Voyage - Meet the Skipper Online

Fri Aug 23, 2024, 17:00—18:00 (Swiss Time)

Tap on the link or paste it in a browser to join.

The Crew

The crew consists of six adventurers, including two esteemed Explorers Club members and a rower holding five world records. This diverse and accomplished group shares a common goal: to traverse challenging terrains and delve into the mysteries of the past.

Andy Fitze

Andy Fitze

 Expedition Leader
Skipper
Explorers Club Member

Livar Nysten

Livar Nysten

Ocean Rower
World Record Holder

Karla Dana

Karla Dana

Viking Archaeologist
Explorers Club Member

Martin Fitze

Martin Fitze

 Master Helmsman

Georg Aebi

Georg Aebi

Outdoor Survivor

Säny Blaser

Säny Blaser

Photographer

Viking Blog

Week 34 2024

Chasing Viking Legends: Sailing the Mystical Waters of the Faroe Islands

Hello from windy and rainy but ever mystically beautiful Faroe Islands. Being here feels like we followed the steps of a crew from a sea folk tale, and reached a mystical green island beyond the fog, where water flows and the food is rich—an island that men would risk shipwreck in an attempt to reach. In fact, Naddod, the Viking king after which our boat is named, did cast off from Norway with his crew in an attempt to find and settle in the Faroe Islands, and a storm blew his ship off course. He overshot the Faroe Islands and ended up being the first Viking to reach Iceland.

Read more »

Exploring Faroese Seafaring Traditions: Rowing, Knot-Tying, and Preparing for Our Voyage to Norway

After staying up until 2 a.m. playing Rummikub with the crew, our 7:30 a.m. wake-up felt heavier than usual. But this dissipated rapidly as we got our gear on and went on the dinghy to the harbor, so we could row Naddoddur back to the boathouse. Georg constantly directs the crew’s attention to situational awareness and preemptive problem-solving, so that when any situation arises, we’re not disorganized and clumsy in handling it. “We’re about to reach the dock. What do we need to think about? Is there enough space for us to row? Which way is the wind blowing? What’s our plan, and what can you do to prepare?” It’s a good quality in a leader to constantly look ahead to predict and prepare.

Read more »

Preparing for Our Viking Voyage: Rowing Naddoddur, Safety Briefings, and Final Preparations

Another day of preparations with the boathouse crew has come to a successful close as we get ready for our upcoming voyage. We spent the day practicing rowing Naddoddur in the fjord before bringing it into the boathouse for some final reinforcements. The boathouse team repurposed an old sail to create a sturdy shelter at the bow, which will serve as our sleeping cabin during the trip. Designed to accommodate just two people, this space will be crucial as we face long days, limited sleep, and constant watch shifts.

Read more »

Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime in Suduroy: Viking Culture, Sailing, and Unforgettable Friendships

Another eventful day in Suduroy has come to pass. The night was longer than I’d have liked it to be, as I couldn’t escape the cacophony of snores from my crewmates. Livar to the left on his couch, Andy to the right on his mattress, and all the rest of the men in their various sleeping places snored the night away, as the heavy winds creaked around the boathouse. Low sleep or not, it feels good to be on a sailing crew becoming fast friends as we spend more time together, all set on crossing the ocean one or way or other in tribute to Viking culture and shipbuilding tradition.

Read more »
Week 33 2024

Life at the Boathouse in Suduroy: Preparing for Our Viking Voyage

Hello from the boathouse in Suduroy! Saeny the Red, Andy and I woke up to boathouse old men coming in and greeting us upstairs. Saeny and I rapidly changed out of our pajamas and headed downstairs to join the morning coffee get-together. One by one, all the boathouse men filtered into the boathouse, and sat down for coffee and pastries.

Read more »

Exploring the Majestic Faroe Islands: A Viking Voyage Begins

As our plane descended through the misty clouds, the Faroe Islands unveiled themselves—a hidden gem of the North Atlantic, where rugged cliffs meet lush, green landscapes. The pilot's voice came through the speaker, “There’s a good westerly wind, so the landing looks promising.” This was the beginning of my introduction to the Faroe Islands.

Read more »

Viking Voyage: Arriving to Suduroy

August 16: an important day for the crew of the Viking Voyage. Andy, our skipper, arrived to the airport with three enormous duffel bags, filled with gear and knives. The crew is steadily assembling.

Read more »

From Airport to Adventure: My Wild Ride into Viking Life

With my bags full of gear and a sense of adventure building, I zipped up my rucksack—a small yet significant act that signaled the completion of months of intense expedition training. The airport loomed ahead, marking the start of a long journey to the Faroe Islands. As I settled into my cramped plane seat, I couldn’t help but think that these meager comforts—poorly fluffed pillows and all—might be the best I’ll experience for the next two weeks.

Read more »

The Viking Voyage: A Journey Through Time and Tradition

Welcome to the first blog post of "The Viking Voyage," where we embark on an incredible journey that bridges history and adventure. This blog will chronicle the exciting expedition of Naddoddur, a replica Viking ship, as it sails from the Faroe Islands to Norway. This voyage, set for August 2024, is more than just a daring adventure on the open seas—it's a tribute to Viking culture, a preservation of ancient seafaring skills, and a celebration of historical exploration.

Read more »

Discover the Adventure

In August 2024, a crew of six adventurers will embark on a historical voyage from the Faroe Islands to Norway aboard Naddoddur, a replica Viking ship. This expedition aims to honor Viking navigator Naddodd, preserve Viking culture, and pass on navigational skills to future generations.

Medias

Livar on a Viking trip: – It was hard to say no to this

in.fo
The trip has been named The Viking Voyage, and this is an ambitious trip, where the crew really comes to test their limits on the open sea.
The plan is to sail to Norway across the North Sea with Naddoddi, which is a boat that reminds us of the Viking boats in the time of sail. “That's something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember. To make such a journey, just like the Vikings did. Vikings have always been of great interest to me. So when you get an opportunity like this, it's hard to say no, says Livar Nysted.

Crew "The Viking Voyage"

Viking Voyage on the Move

vp.fo
On Saturday, a public event was held in Salt á Tvøroyri, in connection with Naddoddur's historic voyage to Norway.
At the event, Sirið Stenberg, Minister of State, delivered a speech and said, among other things: ... now will be rigged for another voyage across the sea. Viking Voyage is about to become a reality. Six people from different parts of the world are now going on an exploration trip and will sail their way from Naddoddi to Norway. The historical and scientific journey must be sailed with sails. It will be fantastic to follow you along the way and learn what comes out of it, and what you will experience on the journey. Good morning, you six who are now leaving. We see you and send you all the best along the way.
...

Naddoddi's trip postponed

The Viking Voyage – the voyage to Norway – with the six-year-old Naddoddi from Tvøroyri is postponed by firstly the weather, and secondly the boat is not quite ready yet. What other reason is there to indicate that the trip is postponed? Yes, no matter what is said about climate change, the Faroe Islands have never, as far as people know, been subjected to such a bad weather in August as this year. So the Faroe Islands have certainly lived up to the name they received during the war, "The Land of Maybe", than now. ....

Naddoddi's Viking trip to Norway postponed

dagur.fo
The Viking Voyage – the voyage to Norway – with the six-year-old Naddoddi from Tvøroyri is postponed by firstly the weather, and secondly the boat is not quite ready yet.
This is announced by the organizers. - But no one has lost the tournament, and the song is good. Ólavur Rasmussen, CEO of SALT and the crew at Naddoddi organized yesterday, Sunday 18 August, and today, Monday 19 August, a large-scale information event at the cultural center SALT in Drelnes. Schoolchildren from Vágur, Hvalba and Tvøroyri, in addition to the Faroese After School on Tvøroyri, filled the hall and balcony of SALT this morning, the day after the also introductory meeting yesterday, Sunday, August 18th. And this afternoon, Tvøroyri municipality invites the crew of Naddoddi, the committee and volunteers in the boat club Naddoddi lunch in the Naddoddaneystinum at Tangan on Tvøroyri.

Adventurers to cross from Faroe to Norway in open Faroese boat

local.fo
Looking to “bring the fascinating world of Viking culture and maritime history to life,” an international team of six adventurers is about to embark on an expedition in honor of viking navigator Naddodd. The start of the Viking Voyage, originally slated for August 17th, has been postponed on account of poor weather conditions but is expected within days, according to Swiss skipper and expedition leader Andy Fitze.

“Our expedition is a tribute to the legendary Viking navigator Naddodd and will take us from the Faroe Islands to Norway—a journey of some 500 nautical miles—on a replica Viking ship,” Fitze noted.

The explorers will sail from Tvøroyri to Norway aboard the Naddoddur, a 10-meter, wooden double-masted boat built in the Faroese rowboat tradition.

 ....

Livar and the others told the students about the planned Viking trip

in.fo
Yesterday there was a public event in SALT at Drelnes, where it was reported about the planned trip, where to row in Naddoddi from Tvøroyri to Norway.
The Explorer Club from 1904 is organizing the trip, with Livar Nysted as one of the participants. Today, all schools in Suðuroy were in SALT, several hundred students, where they heard about the planned trip to Naddoddi from Tvøroyri. They also heard about previous trips that the skipper Andy has been on and not least, so was tried to talk about this with an excursion, and why it is necessary for such exploration trips, and tried to stimulate and arouse the curiosity of the younger generation. The crew is as follows: Andy Fitze, skipper from Switzerland, Livar Nysted, sea rower from Hvannasund, Karla Dana, Viking archaeologist from Mexico, living in Florida, USA, Saeny Blaser, photographer from Switzerland, Georg Aebi and Martin Fitze. ....

Foto & Video credits: Saeny Blaser, Maurus Fitze, Curdin Fitze - copyright

The Explorers Club

We are an Explorers Club Flagged Expedition

“Our request to use the venerable Explorer Club flag as the standard for our upcoming expedition was officially granted, and we are thrilled to share this exciting news. This recognition holds great significance for our team, as it reflects our dedication and commitment to the spirit of exploration. We are proud to announce that our expedition is now formally recognized as an official Explorer Club expedition, joining the ranks of many historic and groundbreaking journeys. This prestigious endorsement fuels our determination and enthusiasm as we prepare to embark on this incredible adventure.“
Andy Fitze - Expedition Leader

About the Explorers Club

The Explorers Club flag represents an impressive history of courage and accomplishment and has been carried on hundreds of expeditions by Club members since 1918. To carry the Club flag is an honor and a privilege. It has flown at both poles, from the highest peaks of the greatest mountain ranges, traveled to the depths of the ocean, to the lunar surface, and outer space. A flag expedition must further the cause of exploration and field science.
An early flag featured a four-pointed white star with the name Explorers Club in the middle, all on a red silk field. It is believed that the first member to carry the flag on an expedition was the zoologist Theodoor de Booy, who journeyed to Venezuela about 1918. The current flag was designed by Frederick S. Dellenbaugh, one of the Club’s founding members. Between the red of courage and the blue of fidelity lies a broad white diagonal displaying the initials of the Club’s name and a compass rose, symbolizing the worldwide circle of the Club’s inter-
ests. The first members to carry the new flag were Clyde Fisher and Carvath Wells, who journeye to Lapland in 1924 while leading an astronomy expedition for the American Museum of Natural History.
Today there are over 200 numbered flags, each with its own history. Many of the older flags have been retired. A select handful of these retired flags are framed and displayed at headquarters in New York City, including the flags carried by Roy Chapman Andrews, Bob Bartlett, Thor Heyerdahl, Naomi Uemora, and the miniature flag carried by the astronauts onboard Apollo 11.

Our Sponsors

Henri Lloyd

Sailing Jackets

Outletking

Outdoor Jackets

Spinlock

Life Vest
Safety Lines

Victorinox

Give Aways for Kids

ZOVOZ

Sun Glasses

Lions Club

Main Sail

Fønix

Liferaft

VIKING

Survival Suits

Youth Explorers

A significant highlight of our preparations is the announcement that the boat Naddoddur will sail back home from Norway to the Faroe Islands in 2025 under the leadership of skipper Andy Fitze. The crew for this journey will be composed of young people from the Faroe Islands. To select the crew, a casting event will be held in mid-August, open to all interested youth aged 15 to 25. This is an exciting opportunity for young adventurers to become part of a historic expedition, continuing the legacy of Faroese seafaring

The Story

The journey from Tvøroyri in the Faroe Islands to Norway is approximately 500 nautical miles and will take 3-5 days. The voyage will test the mental and physical endurance of the crew as they navigate the challenging North Sea.

Naddoddur, the vessel for this expedition, is a double-masted wooden Viking ship replica built by a Faroese shipbuilder. The ship’s construction follows the traditional clinker or “lapstrake” style, enabling it to land on any shore with its short draft. Measuring 10 meters from bow to stern, Naddoddur embodies the robust and practical design of Viking ships.

This expedition not only retraces the historic route of Naddodd, who discovered Iceland, but also aims to complete his intended journey to the Faroe Islands, which he could not finish due to being blown off course. This tribute to Naddodd seeks to promote the preservation of Viking culture and navigational skills for future Faroese generations.

Join Our Community

Join us as we embark on this thrilling journey that celebrates our rich maritime heritage, honors the traditions of our ancestors, and engages the next generation of explorers. The Viking Voyage promises to be a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure, providing a memorable experience for all who participate and witness this epic expedition.

FAQs

How do you sleep on this open boat?

That really is a challenge. The boat has no special place to sleep. 2 people can sleep in the bow on our materials and probably under a cover. The boat basically has no protection from the sun, wind, rain and waves. In addition, 2-3 of the 6 crew members will always be steering the boat.

How do you go to the toilet?

We don't have a toilet on the ship. We will have a bucket. During business, the rule for everyone is: "Look away". Special rule for men: no peeing overboard. We don't want to rescue anyone from the water and the risk of unbalanced action is too great. And DO NOT pee into the wind, for the benefit of the crew.

How long is the journey from Faroe Islands to Trondheim, Norway?

We expect 3-4 days for the approximately 480nm. The last 100nm are particularly challenging as we are sailing along the Norwegian coast.