EC in beard and moustache, WC in wife carrying or WC in scree fishing. There are many strange championships. But in Narvik at Lilland brygge there is a tradition that possibly takes the cake. For the twelfth time in history, the World Championship in Cod Head Drilling will be held on the morning of Saturday 6 August. Drilling? you might ask. Should I just throw a fish head and win money? – Absolutely not, says organizer and prime mover Ragnar Bøifot. – The difference between a throw and a prank is the curse. You don’t get a trick if you throw. You need to gather aggression and power. – Have prepared manuals for this The competition rules are simple. The participants must lure a cod head into a lifebuoy located in the sea. Whoever hits, wins the prize. – It sounds simple, but we have prepared manuals for this. It is a technique, says Bøifot. He invented the competition himself. He got the idea when he and a friend were bored on a fishing trip. The comrade gutted a fish and threw its head into the sea. Then they looked at each other. A championship was born. In the past, between 120 and 150 have participated in the competition. This year, the organizers expect around 200 participants due to the large prize pool. Photo: Evenes kystlag / Evenes kystlag Previously, the competition involved throwing a cod head as far as possible. The standing world record is at 50 metres. But last year they changed the rules. Then one would rather hit a lifebuoy in the water with the cod’s head. So far, no one has managed this. Therefore, the world champion title is vacant. – This year it is therefore a jackpot, but I expect that no one will hit this year either. So the real jackpot will probably come next year, says Bøifot. The participants can compete in three classes to trick the cod head. Women stand in “Thyvkjærringer”, men in “Hæstpeisa” and children in “Sjitonga”. Photo: Evenes kystlag / Evenes kystlag – Completely corny project Beate Føre has traveled from Tromsø to Narvik to take part in the competition. – It’s a completely “corny” project really, but it’s incredibly fun, she says. Føre has participated in the competition every single year since it was first organized. Beate Føre from Ballangen in Nordland has taken part in the competition every year since it was first organised. In 2013, she even won the women’s class, “Tjyvkjærringer”, with the longest drill. It was over 20 meters. – It’s mostly for fun, but it would have been very exciting if someone ran away with the winnings. I’ll gladly take it, says Føre. – What keeps the coastal team alive The profit from the event goes to Evene’s coastal team. It is an important contribution to the coastal team’s economy, according to deputy chairman Morten Korneliussen. – This is what keeps the coastal area alive, as well as the social aspect. People can meet, both those who live in Evenes and for those who are at home on holiday. – This is the main pillar for Liland. The coastal team’s manager in Evenes, Åshild Sørensen, says it is important for Evenes’ coastal team that the competition is held every year at Liland brygge in Narvik. Photo: Evene’s coastal team – It is very important that there is such an event in the summer. It has been a very popular event for many, and unifying for the area, says participant Beate Føre. – It is very important that you have such zealots. It is very important.
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Cod head drylling at Liland in Evenes – can win NOK 24,000 – news Nordland
