WhiteWater Wins Five 2024 WWA Leading Edge Awards for Projects
During the World Waterpark Association Show held in Las Vegas, USA, WhiteWater Awards were presented to WhiteWater for their exceptional contributions across five remarkable projects:
- Meryal Waterpark
- The Rise of Icarus at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park
- Wilderness at the Smokies
- Aquascope
- Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Breaking Records While Blending History with Today: Meryal Waterpark
Meryal Waterpark, located in Lusail, spans an impressive 60 acres and features 69 attractions catering to all guests—from playful water activities for young children to exhilarating water slides for thrill-seekers. This intricate setting pays tribute to Qatar’s oil and gas heritage. The standout feature is the Icon Tower, which is the tallest water slide tower in the world at 85 meters (278 feet) and boasts a record-breaking 12 slides. Other notable attractions include three Abyss funnel slides, one of which is suspended 40 meters (131 feet) in the air, the Middle East’s first Walhalla—the fastest six-person raft ride globally, reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph)—and the region’s first SlideWheel®.
America’s Tallest Water Slide Tower: The Rise of Icarus
In 2022, Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park introduced the first SlideWheel in the Western Hemisphere, and in 2024, they unveiled another groundbreaking project: the tallest water slide tower in the Americas—The Rise of Icarus. Towering at 160 feet (48 meters) in Wisconsin Dells, this vibrant structure tells the story of a young man who flew too close to the sun. The tallest water slide in America, aptly named “The Fall,” launches from 145 feet (44 meters) and stretches 780 feet (237 meters) at speeds of up to 30 mph (48 km/h). Additionally, four more body slides on the tower offer a thrilling variety of ride experiences.
World’s First Reverse AquaLucent Slide at Wilderness at the Smokies
Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville, Tennessee, marked its 15th anniversary with a significant expansion of its Wild WaterDome, adding 40,000 ft2 (3,716 m2). A highlight of this expansion is “Ridge Runner,” a three-story Master Blaster featuring the world’s first Reverse AquaLucent effects—vibrant, captivating patterns on translucent flumes. Riders experience exhilarating uphill blasts and heart-pounding drops at speeds of up to 29 mph (46 km/h), while the Reverse AquaLucents mesmerise onlookers, enhancing the park’s lively atmosphere.
Kids’ Area at Aquascope, Europe’s First Aquatic Cinema
Futurocope in France has launched a new water park named “Aquascope,” which features Europe’s first aquatic cinema. The kids’ zone, themed underwater, includes “La Faille de Kraki,” where a friendly octopus’s tentacles transform into slides. This area, complete with AquaSplash and AquaSpray Toys, is designed to ignite the imaginations of children.
A Cruise Ship Staple: FlowRider® on Board Icon of the Seas
Since the first FlowRider was sold to Royal Caribbean in 2006, it has become a staple for guests, and the Icon of the Seas—the largest cruise ship in the world—was no exception. With 24 FlowRider Doubles across 20 Royal Caribbean ships, providing both active fun and spectator enjoyment, WhiteWater Awards are a testament to their commitment as a trusted supplier for future vessels.
“It’s an absolute privilege to collaborate with such ambitious clients,” stated Onno Meeter, WhiteWater’s President of Water Parks. “Our teams thrive on the challenges presented by these award-winning projects. Innovative parks like Meryal allow us to discover creative solutions that propel the attractions industry forward.”
“The Leading Edge Awards highlight the teamwork of suppliers, designers, and clients in creating these outstanding projects,” added Doug Smith, Global Head of Sales. “Though they are located in various parts of the world and differ in size and scope, they all exhibit a remarkable level of creativity and dedication. Congratulations to all the teams!”
Previous Leading Edge Awards
In recent years, WhiteWater has proudly received the following Leading Edge Awards:
- Studio City Water Park, indoor, Macau SAR, China (2023)
- Island Waterpark at Showboat Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey (2023)
- Pirate Cove Aquapark on board MSC Seascape (2023)
- Water World Ocean Park Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China (2022)
- Aqua Nick at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico (2022)
- Wild Rivers, Irvine, California (2022)
- Baha Bay at Baha Mar, Nassau, The Bahamas (2022)
- Studio City Water Park, outdoor, Macau SAR, China (2021)
- “Tsunami Surge” Master Blaster at Hurricane Harbor Chicago, Gurnee, Illinois (2021)
- Parallel Pursuit at Nocatee Spray Park, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (2021)
- “Turbo Shuttle” Orbiter water slide at Adventure Bay, OCT FABLAND, Xiangyang, China (2020)
- “Perfect Storm” slide complex on board Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas (2020)
- Jungala Aqua Experience at Vidanta Riviera Maya, Mexico (2020)
- Island H2O Water Park, Kissimmee, Florida (2019)
