Downpour Turns Västervik into a Water Park: Campers Paddle Between Tents

The holiday paradise of Västervik turned into a water park when 40 millimeters of rain fell in less than two hours. Campers resorted to inflatable boats to get around, but despite the chaos, the mood remained upbeat.

Peter Björling, 66, was enjoying his vacation in Västervik until the sky suddenly opened up. In just an hour and a half, 40 millimeters of rain poured down.

"Many were standing in two decimeters of water inside their tents," says Peter.

The campsite at Lysingsbadet quickly transformed into a water park. Inflatable boats were brought out, and both children and teenagers embarked on adventures among puddles and flooded tents.

"They were paddling around in both inflatable and paddle boats. The nice thing about such a disaster is that it creates a rather cheerful atmosphere where everyone runs around, takes pictures, and talks to each other."

Laughing at the Chaos

Peter himself escaped the storm, but many of his neighbors got soaked and had to move their tents to escape the water.

"You can't do anything but laugh at the chaos. It's nothing serious, just material things. The nice thing about such events is that everyone remains happy, the children have been swimming in the water and having fun."

Peter notes that the summer in Västervik has otherwise been unusually dry, estimating that only 20–25 millimeters of rain fell throughout June.

Now the storm has passed, and the sun is shining over the campsite once again.

"Now people are enjoying the warmth and swimming while their clothes hang out to dry."