At the very edge of northwestern Norway, where the coastline turns to meet the open ocean, lies the Stad peninsula. Here you'll find Hoddevika — perhaps Norway's most famous surf beach — the mighty West Cape (Vestkapp), and a stretch of sea that commands respect: the Stadhavet. If you're looking for a paddling adventure out of the ordinary, this is the place.
I'm Øystein Pilskog, an NPF-certified sea kayak guide based near Ålesund. The Stad area is some of the wildest and most beautiful coastline I know, and in this guide I'll share what awaits you there — from kayak surfing in Hoddevika to paddling beneath the West Cape.
Hoddevika — Norway's surf mecca
Hoddevika is a wide sandy beach framed by steep, green mountainsides plunging towards the sea. The waves rolling in from the Atlantic have made the bay one of Norway's best surf spots, and the tiny village has become a gathering place for surfers from all over the world. But the waves aren't just for board surfers — they're a fantastic playground for kayaks.
Kayak surfing — riding waves in a kayak
Kayak surfing (known in Norwegian as 'brottpadling') means paddling in breaking waves and surf — and it's some of the most fun you can have in a kayak. You learn to read the waves, time your way in and out through the surf zone, and ride the kayak down the face of a wave towards the beach. It's a huge confidence-builder and makes you a far safer paddler on open coastlines. I run kayak surfing courses and trips for paddlers with basic sea kayaking skills.
The West Cape and the Stadhavet
The West Cape plateau rises nearly 500 metres straight out of the ocean and is one of the most dramatic points on the entire Norwegian coast. Paddling beneath these walls, with the open Atlantic as your nearest neighbour to the west, is an experience that demands respect — the Stadhavet is notorious among sailors, and we only paddle here in good weather windows, always guided. But when conditions play along, few places in Norway can match it.
Selja — the monastery island
On the sheltered side of the Stad peninsula lies the island of Selja, with the ruins of a medieval Benedictine monastery tied to the legend of Saint Sunniva. A kayak trip to Selja combines calm coastal paddling with a thousand years of Norwegian history — the perfect contrast to the wild waves on the outer side.
When should you go?
Summer offers the calmest conditions and is best for coastal touring and trips to Selja. Autumn brings the best and most consistent waves for kayak surfing in Hoddevika. Whatever the season, the weather is in charge at Stad — we always plan with flexibility and alternative routes.
Safety first
Stad is not a place to paddle alone without experience. All activity here is with a certified guide, groups are kept small, and weather and swell forecasts are assessed carefully before every session. With the right setup, kayak surfing is safe — capsizing is part of the fun, and you learn to handle it in controlled conditions.
How do you get there?
From Ålesund, the drive to the Stad peninsula takes around two and a half to three hours including a ferry. It works best as a weekend trip — one day in the waves at Hoddevika, one day of coastal paddling at the West Cape or Selja, with accommodation in the village.
Join a trip to Stad
I run kayak surfing courses and guided weekend trips to Hoddevika and Stad in season. Get in touch via kajakkguiden.no and we'll tailor a trip to your level. This is coastal paddling at its rawest — and its most beautiful.