Boat pulling at Bjørkedalen

About the tradition and knowledge

Boatbuilding and boat pulling are related traditions in Bjørkedalen in the Volda district, West Norway. At its height, there were 27 boatbuilders in the settlement, which lies some ten kilometres from the fjord. It goes without saying, it was hard work getting the finished boats from the boatbuilder’s shed down to the water, generally at Kile or Straumshamn. It required community effort and cooperation, and if the roads and weather were fit, several boats were often pulled on one day.

Clinker construction is the traditional way of building boats at Bjørkedalen. The smallholders have boatbuilding as a side occupation and use the techniques and materials common to the entire Norwegian coast. The craftsmanship is a variant of the shared Norwegian clinker-built boat tradition.

Boats have been built at Bjørkedalen for over 1000 years. Local written sources show that boats were being built here in the 16th century. Local historian Per Årviknes reports that Saxe Balle (1534-1620) was building both boats and sailing vessels. The Heimskringla Saga states that Earl Håkon was in Halkjelsvik to repair his boats before the battle of Hjørungavåg at the end of the 10th century. Halkjelsvik is the old name for Volda centre. It is natural to assume that boat pulling has been practised for just as long, as the boats had be removed from the shed and taken down to the fjord even then.

The first phase, pulling the boat out of the shed, requires people, slipways and keel blocks. How many people depends on the size of the boat. The helpers spread out on both sides, with their back to the boat; they hold it up, balance it and move it forward over the keel blocks. One man shouts out instructions for everyone, as it is very important that everyone works together and pulls in unison. The work is not without its dangers.

With heavy boats, horses used to be employed for pulling while the men supported the boat. As motorised vehicles became common, tractors, lorries or diggers were taken into use.

Once the boat is out of the boatshed, there is still a long way down to the fjord. This part of the process has developed from horses and men via horses and carts to tractors with trailer. Whatever the means used, muscle power is essential for getting the boat out of the shed and the final phase of getting it onto the fjord.

As boats were built on practically every farm in the settlement, each farmer received help from the others. Everyone made themselves available for boat pulling, and neighbourhood feuds were set aside on those days. Each was dependent on help from the others.

The boatbuilder stood ready with refreshments for the volunteers. Boat pulling was hard work and could take all day, as it was a long way down to the fjord. The women prepared the food. Before sandwiches became commonplace, “dravle “(simmered sour milk with whey) was the usual picnic food. As a rule, this was mixed with cold porridge. A similar dish was called “soppe”. This was skyr with bits of flat bread, mixed up and eaten with a spoon. As drink something called “syreblende” was often used. This was half whey and half water. The fluid left over from churning butter was also used. The women would also serve potato dumplings and porridge made with soured cream.
In days gone by, it was also usual for the boat’s buyers to be present during pulling and launching. They were often generous with drinks to seal the bargain and not just to the boatbuilder. In later times, the pale “kornøl” beer was often brewed when large boats were ready for moving from the boatyard.

The people who took part in boat pulling were primarily the men from the farms round the Bjørkedalen lake; farmers/boatbuilders, their sons and farm hands. The young men often had the task of going round the farms to give notice of the boat pulling.

From the 1970’s onwards, large copies of the Viking ships were built at Jakobsgarden. The boat pulling would take several days, and advertisements and posters were used to invite people to take part. Several thousands were sometimes present for these boat pulling days.

The number of people taking part in present-day boat pulling depends on the size of the boat. The boatbuilders themselves are always involved. Often the people who ordered the boat are also present, together with neighbours and other interested persons. Large boats still require lots of people to get the boat out of the stocks. The odd woman can be seen, but it is mainly the men who shoulder the heavy work.

Many have a special interest in the traditions and craftsmanship associated with boatbuilding and see boat pulling as a way of getting involved. Not least the 120 members of the Bjørkedal Coastal Club are eager to encourage and perpetuate these traditions.

The number of boats built is fewer than before, but boat pulling of some kind is still necessary for delivery.