The skyline of Gothenburg has been changed by the arrival of a new structure drawing inspiration from the rugged charm of the Swedish west coast.
Visitors to Scandinavia’s largest amusement park are now discovering a fresh addition to the harbour-themed landscape, designed to serve a specific demographic that often finds itself caught between the gentle pace of children’s rides and the high-intensity thrills of major roller coasters.
The official opening of Stormvåg, translated as “the Storm Wave,” took place on 14 May with a ceremony deeply rooted in local nautical tradition. Given the attraction’s aesthetic ties to the city harbour, it was fitting that representatives from the Port of Gothenburg were central to the proceedings. In a creative adaptation of the maritime custom of christening a new vessel to ensure safe passage, the ride was inaugurated with the breaking of a bottle. To maintain park safety and adhere to the “Liseberg spirit,” the bottle was crafted entirely from sugar, ensuring the celebration concluded without the hazard of shattered glass.
First rides
The ceremonial duties were performed by Kristina Karlsson, Port Officer at the Port of Gothenburg, while Harbour Master Pontus Bengtsson officially initiated the premiere ride. Public anticipation for the new arrival was high; more than 1,200 people entered a competition for the chance to be among the first 24 passengers to board the attraction. This inaugural group highlighted the intended multi-generational appeal of the ride, with participants ranging in age from 8 to 74 years old.
Among the first riders were Wilma Enander, 10, and her sister Molly Enander, 15. Despite the typical Swedish rain, Wilma Enander awarded the experience a perfect score, expressing a desire to ride it “millions of times”. Another young guest, Albin Käck Jones, 11, who attended with siblings Astrid and Axel, noted that while the ride was enjoyable, it still provided a genuine sense of excitement, describing it as “pretty scary” but a “strong 8 out of 10”.
Broad family appeal
Stormvåg represents one of the first installations of the Wild Swing XL model, manufactured by the German firm Art Engineering. The structure stands 14.5 metres tall and features a capacity of 24 guests per cycle, with 12 riders seated on each side. While the swinging motion may evoke nostalgia for classic “Topspin” style attractions, the Wild Swing XL is engineered for a broader audience, providing a series of swings that never result in the riders being turned fully upside down.
Emelie Spelmans, Project Lead at Liseberg, noted that the construction and installation phase began in September. According to Emelie Spelmans, the addition serves as a natural transition point within the park’s layout, situated between the Fisketuren and Jukebox attractions on the site formerly occupied by Kristallsalongen. The design was a collaborative effort involving Alex Korting of Themed Entertainment Design and David Schofield, Creative Director at Liseberg.
The attraction is now open to the public, with a height requirement of 120 cm, or 95 cm for children accompanied by an adult.
