Klitmøller has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a quaint fishing village into a dynamic and vibrant surf destination. The once-sleepy town, now famously dubbed “Cold Hawaii,” has attracted a diverse community of newcomers who have embraced its surf culture and laid-back lifestyle.
By the age of 33, Mai Knudsen had achieved a high level of success as a civil engineer, reaching what many would consider the pinnacle of her career. Yet despite her professional accomplishments, she found herself increasingly stressed and dissatisfied. “Work was so stressful,” Knudsen reflected. “I would spend my weekends doing nothing just to recover before the next workweek. I felt like my life needed a change.”
A single visit to Klitmøller in north-west Denmark proved to be transformative for her. She decided to leave behind her high-pressure life in Copenhagen and move to a seaside home with views of the dunes and surf. There, she realized her long-held dream by opening a pancake café on the ground floor of her new house. Now, a decade later, Knudsen spends half the year managing Kesses Hus, her beloved café, and devotes the winter months to surfing.
“I knew I could really live here,” Knudsen said, expressing her contentment with the decision.
Knudsen is part of a growing trend of transplants in Cold Hawaii, many of whom have traded urban hustle and bustle for a more relaxed life by the sea. The once quiet north-west coast of Denmark is now teeming with new businesses, including galleries, boutiques, organic bakeries, and a co-working space, many of which have been established by people from over 20 different countries. The influx of young South Africans, Brazilians, Australians, and Germans has been particularly notable, with many moving to the area post-Covid to work remotely or raise their families. Among the newcomers is renowned Danish artist Jeppe Hein, who left Berlin to volunteer in local schools, teaching children how to express their creativity through painting their own breath.
