It feels like time stands still each time I´m in Hoddevik.
Hoddevik is a small village located on the western coast of the Stadlandet peninsula in the municipality currently known as Selje. Hoddevik also happens to be the family name carried by many original inhabitants of that village and their progenies. The village will soon be a part of the new and bigger municipality named “Stad” as Selje merges with the neighboring municipality of Eid, effective 01. January 2020.
The village of Hoddevik boasts of a 1.5 kilometer long sandy beach that attracts surfers from all over Norway as well as other nearby countries.
My husband and his four brothers grew up in Hoddevik, and are proud to be called “Hoddevikarar,” as the residents with original roots there are called in the local dialect that resembles the nynorsk version of Norwegian.
I assume the village of Hoddevik was once a bustling farming community, but I have yet to research on this, especially which farm products and animals the village once supplied to nearby villages, as well as in which years this took place.
Each landowner there has a “naust” or boathouse. I hear that some residents who own boats still exercise their fishing rights in the Hoddevik sea.
Back in 1905, the municipality of Selje included the geographical areas that now belong to the present municipality of Vågsøy. It was only from 1910 onwards that Vågsøy became an entity separate from Selje. Thus, from history´s point of view, it is sad, at least for me, that the municipalities of Selje and Vågsøy didn´t get to be merged again like in the old days. The majority of the residents of Selje said “No” to the proposal to merge Vågsøy and Selje in a referendum and the politicians of Selje preferred a merger with the mucipality of Eid. In contrast, the residents and politicians of Vågsøy said “Yes” to the proposal of a merger between Selje and Vågsøy. In the end, Vågsøy´s politicians chose to merge with another coastal town, Flora, after the rejection from Selje and other neighboring municipalities. .
This matter is now spilt milk, but I just have to mention this here, in view of historical and geographical facts. Life goes on, and I hope the upcoming municipality of Stad can give Hoddevik a good chance to develop its potential as a place that offers peace and quiet to souls who want to enjoy these, and as a wonderful “sea adventure” village to those who enjoy swimming and surfing.
