Cool Skateboarding Spots | Klabböle Rännan

Umeå is also known as the capital of northern Sweden, surrounded by mountains, forests and limitless shoreline, it’s a haven for out of doors fans. Town additionally holds notoriety for some of the distinctive and coolest skateboarding spots, a very wonderful place that needs to be on the bucket listing for any skater. Our article was additionally featured in subject 33 of Confusion Skateboarding Journal, so remember to purchase a duplicate and verify that out.

Rännan, brief for timmerrännan, is a log flume situated in Klabböle, a village simply outdoors Umeå. The flume was inbuilt 1959 alongside the development of the close by Stornorrfors Energy Plant. It´s goal was to drift timber downstream, which offered an affordable and comparatively simple technique of transportation. These might be discovered throughout Sweden, nevertheless, they had been notably standard within the north of the nation due its dense forests. Initially 6 kilometres in size it was constructed with aluminium sheeting which was later changed with galvanised metal of upper energy. The flume transported round 30,000 logs per day and as much as 12 million per 12 months. It was in operation till 1980 but in 1984 giant quantities had been offered for scrap. Fortunately at this time 500 metres of it has been preserved on the Umeå Energicentrum. Rännan’s construction mimics that of a u-pipe, the pace and circulate which are created together with its sheer size are out of this world.

To get an understanding of Rännans skateboarding historical past I caught up with some first technology road skaters from Umeå, Jonas Lyxzen and Jonas Lindahl.

“After I was 19, I moved to Umeå. At the moment, me and my pals had been driving round searching for skate spots within the metropolis. There have been no cell telephones or Google Maps, simply phrase of mouth. I do not forget that I heard a hearsay that there was a “Ränna” in a spot referred to as Klabböle. I believe this was round 92. We took my previous Saab 900 and went trying. I do not know if we had been the primary ones skating it, however we had been for certain amongst the primary. Once we first noticed it, we knew it was constructed for skateboarding. Ever since then now we have been skating it recurrently. It appears to be like cool and mellow, however it’s a lot more durable to skate than it appears to be like.” Jonas Lyxzen

“I began skating Rännan throughout the nineties, most likely someplace round mid-nineties. As I keep in mind it there was not a lot give attention to tips at the moment. The main focus was taking place the factor a few instances carving and hanging out and possibly going swimming within the river. There have been no concrete parks round at the moment and we didn’t have an indoor park but. In addition to smaller mini ramps we didn’t have a lot expertise of gnarly trannies and (at the very least for me) doing lip tips appeared fairly intimidating.” Jonas Lindahl

Through the mid 2000’s skaters began adopting extra of a trick oriented strategy to Rännan and the place gained extra recognition as skaters began pushing its boundaries.

“As I keep in mind within the early days we largely skated it as a mini ramp, simply going backwards and forwards and doing lip tips. In 2010 the concrete park Sparken was constructed and other people from throughout Sweden and overseas began coming to Umeå for contests. It’s round this time that Rännan grew to become well-known. Social media most likely helped quite a bit too.” Jonas Lindahl

Throughout 2014, Rännan featured on the duvet of Swedish Skateboarding Journal Giftorm which additionally adopted with a characteristic in Giftorm’s Heja Sverige tour video throughout 2016. Its recognition and curiosity additionally elevated with footage shot of skater John Magnusson. Extra not too long ago its recognition has gained worldwide consideration. In 2016 it was skated by Wes Kremer, his footage was captured by filmmaker Jonathan Lomar, which was launched in an episode of the Bitter Recordsdata enhances of Transworld Skateboarding. It has additionally made some latest drops on social media by Karl Berglind for Purple Bull Skateboarding. But Rännans look within the media goes approach again, documented in various early Swedish skate movies. Throughout 1999 footage was launched in a movie referred to as Vita Nouva, it additionally made a characteristic in P-Rullen launched 2006 and Futurum in 2010.

Throughout latest years Rännan’s native ambassadors have been utilizing social media to advertise the individuality of this spot. Palen and his YouTube channel underfliped options content material that showcases this wonderful setup. I caught up with Palen to get an understanding of what Rännan means to him.

“As a child lengthy earlier than I began skateboarding I used to run down it like many different youngsters rising up. Later in life once I began skating I used to be pals with a rollerblader who wished to movie there. I keep in mind considering it was the scariest factor I ever did doing a rock to fakie there! After that it grew to become a yearly custom to do a rock to fakie there each summer time. Round 2015 I acquired myself a Gopro and filmed simply cruising within the pipe. Since then I’ve come to like this spot. The aesthetics and site makes for a cool expertise! Not less than yearly I’m going there simply to carve and really feel the push. Touchdown tips here’s a actual problem so it is at all times enjoyable to see if I can escape with one! I’ve guided guests all through the years to this spot, and the look on their faces once they see this place for the primary time is priceless! Youngsters on Christmas morning”. Palen

Not too long ago, worldwide guests, Dan Cates and Trawler had been fortunate sufficient to spend a weekend with Palen driving it throughout the Summer time of twenty-two. Dan was captivated by the spot after seeing it featured in a video from movie maker Phil Evans. Trawler then again is devoted to travelling and documenting distinctive skate spots, he made a psychological word of the spot after it was featured in a clip of skater John Magnusson. His go to to Rännan will characteristic in a chapter of his newest e book, “The Ditch Rider’s Information To The Galaxy” coming 2023.

“Your biggest concern if you’re fortunate sufficient to ever make it to the flume, will little question be the unforgiving trifecta of no flat backside, sharp lip and no platforms. Don’t flip up with expectations of performing your finest mini ramp run both as a result of I can guarantee you that this spot, as epic as she is, is a merciless mistress.” Dan Cates

“I discovered it finest to trip as a corkscrew choosing up pace and getting up into the highest 6 inches both facet. It’s not simple to trip as a mini ramp because the lip is angled again and it is just a few inches broad. In my expertise of driving down the chute you’re in your thoughts’s eye two or three turns forward of your self and you do not get that in regular skateboarding, it looks like driving a motorcycle, searching forward of your self “. Trawler

Regardless of now gaining extra worldwide consideration, Rännan’s roots lie with the native skateboarding group. A number of issues that grew to become obvious throughout the strategy of writing this text was the northern group’s pleasant nature and love for skateboarding. Their ardour for Rännan shines as does their pleasure for its uniqueness. Time and time once more I’d hear of locals taking guests underneath their wings to permit them to expertise the spot. Everybody who skates Rännan, native or not, creates lifelong recollections and remembers the place of two issues, the individuals and the setup.

Don’t neglect to take a look at Rännan’s IG account @rannanskate.

Wish to discover out extra about this cool skateboarding spot? Be sure you stream our podcast episode on Skate Spot Pod for additional data!