SUPing to work!

Ever since we moved into our new offices in Mölndal back in December, I'd been biking along Mölndalsån on my daily commute. Parts of it looked ugly and dirty, but others were beautiful with flowers along the banks, tree branches hanging over the water, and different birds living along it. So for a long time I'd been considering taking the waterway to work, and yesterday I finally did it.

After some basic scouting, I saw that the creek ran through the amusement park Liseberg, so I figured that part would be blocked off. Further south, there is a section that seemingly goes underground below a road that crosses in from the motorway to the east. Closer examination made it seem like there was no fencing or similar to prevent navigation of that tunnel. 

I left the house an hour earlier than usual, with my inflatable SUP in its bag on my back, and hopped on the tram to the Liseberg stop. I walked behind the amusement park, and just past the south entrance found a spot to inflate and embark. All went smoothly for about 300m, until I got to the first bridge. There was a log underneath it, chained to the banks on either side! With a SUP it should be no issue to cross, but I had to get across with the fins below the board also. Turned out not to be so difficult, and with some light manoeuvering I was beyond it. 

Time to set paddle! Liseberg in the background

Got my gear with me

Continuing along, I passed many familiar places that I normally pass by bike, and I got lots of curious looks from commuters above me. I myself had never seen any kind of vessel at all on the creek for the last 2.5 years I'd been living in Göteborg. It was a lot of fun paddling along, dodging water lilies, and seeing all the ducks and birds fluttering around. Eventually I go to the tunnel near Lana, it looked dark and foreboding. I crouched down on my knees and slowly entered, with one thought crossing my mind that perhaps the air in there would be no good? The water was still though, and I could easily paddle the 300m around a bend and out the other side. Now it was plain sailing, as the scenery got nicer and greener the further into Mölndal I got. At one bridge a city worker was watering flowers hanging off the bridge, and she was turned away from me and wearing headphones so didn't see me coming. Thankfully I passed between watering left so I didn't get any spillage on me :) 

The light at the end of the tunnel

Troll under the bridge - who's that stomping up there!?!

Entering green and leafy Mölndal!

Alas, when I hit 4km, I'd reached the end of the line where the creek really goes underground before hitting the hillside where the creek comes rushing down from Mölnlycke. As I made landfall, my colleague Marie pulled up on her bike and welcomed me ashore! That's also how I got the photo of yours truly! 

End of the line, with the office in the background

Arrival at Mölndal

At work during the day, people were surprised that I'd come by SUP to work, but I was challenged to see if I could make it through Liseberg also! Seeing as there was nothing to lose, that evening I paddled back north on my way home also. The cree, although slowly, flows north so I had some extra speed on the way home. It started raining about halfway, but was still drier than if I'd been in the water. Arriving to Liseberg, I simply ducked down under the bridge there and emerged inside the park! People lined up for their rides stopped mid ice cream lick, and stared as I passed by. It was quite fun and ridiculous to be paddling through there! Another bridge came along and people crossing stopped to look, with one kid shouting out that I should watch my head. I was more concerned though about the waterfall coming up ahead! They have some kind of pipe creating a waterfall across the creek! Luckily there was a gap along the side and the turbulence in the water wasn't bad so I made it through. Further along, by "båtbryggan", a kid ran along and shouted "Killen! Killen! Vad håller du på med??" (Dude, dude! What are you doing?) I just said "I'm on my way home from work!" His eyes went big and he seemed shocked! Soon I was through the park, and out underneath the main road that goes to Korsvägen. Just past there, I saw my friends from work! They'd gone out to get snacks, and were waiting for me in the grass along the creek! So I got a grand welcome ashore, and we sat down for some wine and chips to finish off today's little adventure.

After Liseberg, passing ICA Focus