Touristguide

Hvide Sande

Situated midway along the isthmus, Hvide Sande is in every sense of the word its centre. It is also a typical West Jutland fishing town with all the activities associated with such a community. Hvide Sande is a young town. Founded in 1931, it grew up around the large lock and sluice between the North Sea and Ringkøbing Fjord. From modest beginnings, the town grew with the development of the fishing industry, leading to extensive expansions of the harbour. The inhabitants of Hvide Sande district currently number about 5400, 3500 of whom live in Hvide Sande itself.

Kirken

One of the first buildings of note when entering the town from the south is the church. Like the town itself, the church is relatively new. Built in 1954, its name Helligåndskirken dedicates it to the Holy Ghost. The church fulfilled a major wish among the people of Hvide Sande and about one third of the cost of its construction was collected in the parish. So it was a festive day when the Danish King and Queen came to join the congregation at the inauguration of the church (a special folder on local churches is available from the Tourist Bureau).

The Fishing harbour

Proceeding to the centre of Hvide Sande, we find the fishing harbour, the heartbeat of the town and almost always teeming with activity: 215 boats are based at Hvide Sande, of which approx. 145 exceed 5 tons.

Fish are divided into two categories, edible fish and trash fish. Walking around the harbour enjoying the very special atmosphere so typical of a vibrant and active fishing harbour, you will note that some boats carry a lot of buoys and flags, while others have drums with large trawls. Those with buoys fish with nets for edible fish, while the others trawl for edible fish or trash fish.

A small nod, a lifted eyebrow is caught immediately by the auctioneer, and the purchase is registered. So if going to watch an auction, make sure to keep still! When the fish have been sold, they are taken by lorry for processing at local plants, or exported directly in large refrigerated vans.

Tourist Auctions

If you want to try your hand as a bidder, you are welcome to join one of the tourist auctions held in the building during summer. These are relaxed and fun occasions and you can choose to watch or bid on fresh fish form the North Sea. And while a visitor here at Holmsland Klit, don´t forget to treat yourself to a taste of freshly caught fish. Whether it´s your own catch, or you have bought and prepared it at home, or at a restaurant, it is a delicacy.

And the range is wide enough to tempt any palate: cod, haddock, plaice, turbot, sole, herring, mackerel, lobster and many others. Try it! See more about Touristauctions.

The Ice Works

As mentioned, the boats take ice on board if the trip is to last for several days. The ice is supplied by the ice works in the middle of the harbour and is available day and night. The plant itself is one of the world´s most advanced. The loading of ice is completely automatic and follows the same principle as filling the petrol tank of a car.

Trawlers unload their catches in Nordhavnen, the northern section of the harbour, and activity on the wharf can be hectic on a summer evening with full boats to be unloaded and trucks being loaded with trash fish.

Fishing is the central nerve of Hvide Sande. Most of the town people are dependent on the upturns and downturns of fishing, and developments in the industry are followed closely in practically all homes in town.

Statistics show that each seafaring fisherman maintains three jobs on land. This of course involves secondary industries, as is evident in the harbour itself, where a string of suppliers, metal workshops, electricians, boatyards, merchants etc. stand ready to service the boats.

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