WhiteWater Highlights Achievements at IAAPA Expo 2024 Press Conference
WhiteWater, a prominent waterpark manufacturer, has proudly announced its ISO 14001 certification while sharing insights on significant projects, accomplishments, and industry trends during a press conference at the IAAPA Expo 2024.
The company also took the opportunity to honour its CEO, Geoff Chutter, who was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame.
ISO 14001 Accreditation
WhiteWater has received the ISO 14001 accreditation, which serves as the global standard for environmental management systems. This certification assures clients and partners of the company’s commitment to mitigating its negative environmental impacts.
The scope of this accreditation will expand in the coming years, currently encompassing the management of environmental hazards across product development, design, marketing, sales, manufacturing, logistics, installation, and service from the head office.
WhiteWater’s inaugural Impact Report highlights the company’s commitment to ethical business practices, including environmental, social, supply chain, and governance initiatives.
“How we do business is as important to us as what we make,” states Chutter, emphasising that WhiteWater is renowned for crafting world-class attractions that keep adventurous clients returning for major projects.
The UAE
WhiteWater has been a key partner with Yas Waterworld since its inception. The company is collaborating once again with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading provider of immersive experiences, on an exciting expansion project in the Middle East. In 2025, Yas Waterworld aims to boost guest capacity by 20%, introducing 18 new rides and 3.3 km of slide paths designed by WhiteWater, bringing the total attractions to over 70.
This expansion will feature the UAE’s largest water slide, a 40-metre-high Flatline Loop, and the world’s first integrated water coaster, Shoot the Chute. This 20-seat ride will continue the Legend of the Lost Pearl narrative, plunging riders into a 15-metre drop that promises a refreshing splash.
Additionally, the expansion will include the world’s largest and longest Parallel Pursuit competition slides, innovative Master Blasters, and a new children’s section featuring the first Mini Blaster Fusion slide, ensuring fun for all ages.
The Americas
The leisure industry in Latin America is thriving, with developers increasingly active, particularly in the hotel and resort sectors. WhiteWater is engaged in several projects within premium properties.
Families are a primary audience in the region, and in 2025, Thermas dos Laranjais in Brazil plans to unveil a tower featuring two six-person raft rides, each incorporating three iconic water slide elements. Furthermore, the Master Blaster will debut at Brazil’s Beach Park, becoming the tallest water coaster globally at 27.9 metres.
The surf park trend is also gaining traction in Brazil, with Endless Surf Angra set to open at the luxurious Brasil Surfe Clube in 2026, marking the largest surf pool in South America.
As the Latin American market expands, there is a strong emphasis on sustainability, an area where WhiteWater is well-equipped to contribute through its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Notable project openings in the USA during 2025 will include:
- Rafter’s Rage. This attraction at Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Tennessee will be the world’s first Wall Runner, offering unmatched drifting sensations and lateral acceleration for a thrilling zero-g experience.
- RiverRacers. The Blaster Battle at Kings Island’s Soak City Water Park in Ohio will be the state’s first and only duelling water coaster.
- Dawn Breaker. This new ride at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Ohio is a stunning themed Boomerango that transports riders from darkness to dawn.
Key Trends
The overall visitor experience is just as crucial as the rides themselves, and WhiteWater’s attractions management platform, Vantage, is gaining traction across various venue types. Vantage is collaborating with the San Antonio Zoo to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations, building on its existing water park installations.
SmartPay, SmartNotify, SmartControl, and SmartVue are part of a suite of tools designed to boost guest engagement and return on investment. Vantage’s flexible approach allows for integration with other third-party systems, providing versatility for venue partners.
While indoor water parks are not a new concept, advancements in HVAC, construction systems, and architectural designs are revitalising this market. Enhanced lighting, movable walls or roofs, more entertainment options, and adult-only areas are all features of the next generation of indoor water parks.
Recent projects utilising WhiteWater for all aquatic attractions include:
- Bavarian Inn. Michigan’s largest indoor water park is set to open this winter, featuring 20 new attractions, including the state’s first duelling water slides and a Bavarian-themed aquatic play structure.
- Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Wisconsin Dells. The expansion at this Wisconsin attraction will debut in 2026, including a children’s section and a family water slide complex featuring the world’s first covered Boomerango that extends beyond the building.
- Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Spotsylvania County. Virginia’s largest indoor water park is scheduled to launch in 2026, covering 16,250 square metres (175,000 square feet).
The trend is also evident beyond North America, as WhiteWater supplies all water slides and aquatic recreational equipment for major projects such as:
- Water World at Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Skiing Theme Resort in China. This water park, located in the largest indoor ski hall globally, opened this year.
- Aquapark Dalmatia in Croatia. Set to launch this winter, this new indoor water park will complement its acclaimed outdoor counterpart.
- Sportoase Sint Niklaas in Belgium. This sports complex, funded through public and private collaboration with a focus on sustainability, is expected to open in 2026.
Industry Recognition
WhiteWater’s CEO has received one of the industry’s highest accolades for assisting clients in realising their visions and shaping aquatic entertainment over the past 40 years.
On 18 November, Chutter was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame during the “LEGENDS: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair” event. Since founding WhiteWater in 1980, he has significantly influenced the attractions sector, including water parks, theme parks, resorts, and surf spaces worldwide. He will also join the 2025 IAAPA Board of Directors, leveraging his extensive commercial knowledge and expertise.
Chutter expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’m truly humbled to be inducted into IAAPA’s Hall of Fame. I interpret this as a reflection of the hard work of our teams across our six business units. My recent appointment to the IAAPA Board only underscores this gratitude. I look forward to serving.”
As the year draws to a close, receiving industry recognition and celebrating with peers has been a highlight for WhiteWater. The company anticipates another successful year ahead.
Recently, WhiteWater announced plans to unveil new attraction categories and introduce more new products than ever before at the IAAPA Expo, where it will be exhibiting at booth #2254.
