Life Forge Norway

16/04/2025

Here are some quick updates on what we will be offering this padding season, from kayak and SUP rental in central Oslo, to våttkort beginner kayak courses, private events and whitewater rafting and more in Sjoa!

29/03/2025

After we were given another chance to show how our sauna and paddling base was safe and should be allowed to operate, our architects from White Arkitekter sent in a new application showcasing how we would address all concerns. You can read that here on our case file under “Komplettering - fra Whit...

18/03/2025

The show must go on! Read the latest article about our sauna closure case in Tjuvholmen by Avisa Oslo 🐐🔥

– Det har vært en enorm psykisk belastning, sier daglig leder.

12/03/2025

Very Quick Update:
Today we head to Rådhuset + new case files on PBE, etc.

Hey Goats of Oslo!

Just real quick to keep all of you who I know are very invested in this case and its outcome + some extra fun stuff!

Today we head to Rådhuset at 1700 to sit in on the case hearing for out signature campaign - https://minsak.no/sak/3251

There are a few more case files on our PBE case that you might be interested in reading. We have also requested that our latest application, which addressed safety concerns around swimming be uploaded to the file but they are not there yet - https://innsyn.pbe.oslo.kommune.no/saksinnsyn/casedet.asp?direct=Y&mode=&caseno=202458483

FYI Goats, we are gearing up for a massive, huge and super fun paddling season this year. We have already received a lot of group requests for our Akerselva Kayak/Packraft tour, Våttkort courses and Oslo Fjord Tour. If you are planning an event make sure to get in early and book out the date and time you desire before the prime dates are all reserved - Get in touch here!

Lastly, Goats are never inactive and during this whole sauna closure debacle, we have worked on a new project called “FORGE”, which is all about health optimisation and community, so that we can keep kayaking, hiking and jumping around with joy and enthusiasm into our later years. A weekly community fitness event is incoming, so go sign up to the newsletter if you are interested! - https://forge.no

That’s it team Bleaters! We promise to keep you updated on the outcome and if we are allowed our saunas back to Tjuvholmen we will work with super Goat speed and efficiency to make this a reality ASAP! :)

https://mailchi.mp/madgoats.no/quick-update-on-the-sauna-case

There are a few more case files on our PBE case that you might be interested in reading. We have also requested that our latest application, which addressed safety concerns around swimming be uploaded to the file but they are not there yet - https://innsyn.pbe.oslo.kommune.no/saksinnsyn/casedet.asp?...

27/02/2025

Important Update on Approval Process

Dear Mad Goats Community,

We have some significant updates regarding the status of our floating sauna case. Following our appeal, Plan- og bygningsetaten (PBE) has decided to reopen our case, acknowledging that several aspects of our application require further review​.

What’s Next?
PBE has requested additional information to clarify the different elements of our proposal, including:
Kayak/SUP storage platform
Two floating saunas
One floating changing/staff facility

We must submit the requested documentation by March 5th, 2025. After that, the case will be re-evaluated, and PBE will consult Oslo Havn for further input. This means we have another chance to demonstrate that our project aligns with city planning goals and meets safety and environmental requirements​.

Addressing Safety Concerns:
PBE has emphasized concerns related to safety, particularly regarding potential conflicts with boat traffic. To strengthen our case, we will highlight:

Strict "No Swimming" policies, enforced with clear signage and lifeguard monitoring. Yes, this means no more swimming in the fjord and we will instead install a cold tub which you can use to wash / cool off in.

Existing precedents, showing that similar floating saunas operate safely in even busier harbour areas (for example both Kongen Marina Sauna, KOK, and Fjord Tokt operate inside guest boat harbours, and Oslo Badstuforening and KOK have sauna boats which drive in and around their sauna bases, literally making them into boat marinas - we do not even have sauna boats).

*We will also be converting our saunas to electric, meaning there will be no smoke, and our saunas will be non-alcoholic.

Upcoming Public Hearing at Oslo Rådhuset
On March 12th, 2025, we will attend a hearing at Oslo Rådhuset regarding our signature campaign on Minsak. This is an important opportunity to push for the approval of our project and show the city that there is strong public support for accessible and sustainable fjord activities.

Estimated Timeline for Reopening
If all goes well, we hope to receive final approval by the end of March. This means we aim to have the saunas back up and running by early May. Due to the challenges we've faced, we will start small before scaling back to full capacity. However, we are goats, and we will climb back stronger than ever!

Thank you for your continued support—we couldn’t do this without you!

The Mad Goats Team - maaaeeeehhhhhhhhh!!
https://innsyn.pbe.oslo.kommune.no/saksinnsyn/casedet.asp?direct=Y&mode=&caseno=202458483

https://minsak.no/sak/3251

18/02/2025

Onwards and upwards!!! 🛠️🐐❤️🔥
“Catch you@on the water!”

18/02/2025

The Fight Continues - Updates on Saunas, Paddling, and Justice

Dear Goats,

We’ve got some important updates for you, so let’s bleat right in - maaeeh!!

1. Awaiting Oslo Havn’s Final Confirmation
Oslo Havn has indicated they have no issue with our paddling activities and saunas as long as there is no swimming in the fjord and we install a wash-off tub or shower. We are now waiting on their official confirmation in writing.

2. Why Are Other Sauna Operators Still Open?
We are still waiting for a clear answer on why other sauna organizations in the same unregulated areas have been allowed to continue operating while we were forced to shut down. We will keep pressing for transparency and fairness!

3. Per Arne Damm Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Economic Crimes
Karma is a bitch. The man who worked to shut us down is now going to jail for financial fraud. Poetic justice? We’ll let you decide.

4. Signature Campaign Moves Forward!
The petition you all signed has now been processed and will be voted on by local Oslo politicians in Oslo Bystyre on March 12th. It’s incredible to see democracy in action—your voices are being heard!

5. An Epic Paddling Season Awaits!
We’re gearing up for an incredible season ahead. In Sjoa, we’ll have full-time staff offering camping, sauna, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and packrafting—come visit us! Meanwhile, in Oslo, we’ll be running our famous Akerselva Kayak & Packrafting Tour, Oslo Fjord Kayak Tour "Fjord City", Våttkort Kayak Courses, and SUP & Kayak rentals. And soon, we’ll have saunas back again—just wait!

The Goats will never give up, and we will never be defeated! Even if the path to victory is not a straight one, we will climb it like a goat scaling a steep and jagged mountain.

The Mad Goats Team 🔥🐐🌊

Oslo Havn has indicated they have no issue with our paddling activities and saunas as long as there is no swimming in the fjord and we install a wash-off tub or shower. We are now waiting on their official confirmation in writing.

28/01/2025

08/01/2025

We know all about it. 🙏🏼

Var kasteball mellom kommunale etater i to og et halvt år: - Det har vært en lang, frustrerende og kronglete vei, sier badstugründer Eivind Westhagen ved Sollerudstranda.

23/12/2024

Response to Oslo Havn's Assessment

Upon further review, several points raised in the assessment appear unreasonable or inconsistent. Below is a detailed response addressing these concerns:

1. Swimming Safety
Existing Use: The area in question is already a popular swimming spot, regardless of sauna activities. Our operations do not introduce swimming but provide structure and safety to an activity already taking place.

Commitment to Safety: We have committed to employing full-time lifeguards, which will make the area safer than ever for all users, not just our customers.

Contrasting Risks: It is worth noting that the only fatal accident in the inner Oslofjord this year was caused by a collision between two ships, unrelated to swimming or paddling. This highlights that the primary safety risks in the area stem from boat traffic, not recreational activities like ours.

2. Kayak and SUP Activities
Unaddressed Proposal: Oslo Havn's response does not mention our kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) activities. These are low-impact, environmentally friendly activities that support Oslo Havn's goal of increasing public access to the fjord.
Need for Clarification: We require a clear response on whether these activities are supported, as they are a significant part of our operations and community engagement.

3. Support During Havnelangs Festival
Previous Collaboration: Oslo Havn has actively supported and promoted both our sauna and paddling activities during the Havnelangs Festival in September.

Inconsistency: It is contradictory to publicly support and include us in a high-profile event, yet deny support for our formal application. How can the same activities be acceptable for a festival but unsuitable for regular operations?

4. Precedent with Oslo Badstuforening
Approved Permits: Oslo Badstuforening has received approval from Oslo Havn for similar floating sauna activities in regulated boating areas.

Comparable Case: This precedent demonstrates that such activities can coexist safely with maritime traffic. We have attached documentation supporting this comparison for reference.

5. Comparable Applications: KOK
KOK's Application: We understand that KOK, another operator in a boating-regulated area, has submitted a permit application. Their location is directly beside a boat dock and a "kiss and sail" dock for short stops.

Future Consistency: If Oslo Havn denies our application based on safety concerns in a boating-regulated area, will the same reasoning apply to KOK's application? Consistency in decisions across similar cases is essential for fairness.

Conclusion
Our proposal actively enhances safety through lifeguards, supports Oslo Havn's goal of public access to the fjord, and follows precedents set by other operators. The inconsistencies in Oslo Havn's response suggest a lack of balanced evaluation. We therefore request a reconsideration of our application based on these points.

Links to PBE case: https://innsyn.pbe.oslo.kommune.no/saksinnsyn/casedet.asp?direct=Y&mode=&caseno=202458483

Links to Map regulation: https://od2.pbe.oslo.kommune.no/kart/?saksnr=202458483

Link to our email: https://mailchi.mp/madgoats.no/oslo-havn-does-not-support-us

Make sure to sign up to our Newsletter on our homepage for more context and updates on this ongoing case: https://madgoats.no

Lastly, link to Fjord Byen Mandate which clearly states the activities we provide are inline with the cities visions, so in theory we should be getting support from Oslo Kommune - https://www.oslo.kommune.no/slik-bygger-vi-oslo/fjordbyen/

Stay Goaty!