Rooted in Nordic ancestry (mother was originally from Lom, Gudbrandsdalen; father came from Gjemnes, Nordmøre), Geir Magne Røvik grew up in the Grorud Valley close to Nordmarka, about 20 km from Nittedal, close to where the Hagen family originated. It is likely Geir shared the same hiking and skiing grounds as the Hagens, particularly on the downhill slopes of Varingskollen, an alpine area just 30 minutes north of Oslo.

“Geir” is derived from the Old Norse name for spear, while “Magne” means to be mighty. A name befitting Geir, a wooden shipbuilder, who specializes in Nordic traditions and Viking shipbuilding. He is one of the founders of the Oseberg Ship project in Tønsberg and was responsible for the famous replica of the Oseberg ship Saga Oseberg, which he also masters as one of her captains.