WhiteWater Wins Two Brass Ring Awards and Launches Innovative Products
Following the conclusion of IAAPA Expo 2024, WhiteWater Innovations takes a moment to reflect on the significant impact of its new products showcased at the event. The company proudly received two Brass Ring Awards as runners-up in the categories of Best New Product: Class A (over £2M) for Walhalla and Class B (under £2M) for Mini Blaster. This year marked a milestone for WhiteWater Innovations, as it unveiled more new products than ever before.
Walhalla—Fastest 6-Person Raft Ride in the World
Walhalla is a remarkable fusion of two thrilling attractions—Boomerango and Manta. This unique 6-person ride offers the highest climbs, fastest speeds, and most exhilarating thrills in WhiteWater Innovations’ portfolio. Currently showcased at Meryal Waterpark in Lusail, Qatar, Walhalla has quickly become a favourite due to its impressive features:
- A heart-pounding plunge from 11.4 metres (37.4 feet)
- Incredible lateral speeds reaching 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Up to seven exhilarating oscillations
- Maximum G-forces and weightless sensations
- A shared experience that can be enjoyed face-to-face with friends and family
- A viral sensation, amassing over 286 million views from a single Instagram reel
In addition to the thrills, Walhalla is designed for efficiency, operating with low energy and water consumption, resulting in reduced operating costs for such a large attraction.
Mini Blaster—Pint-Sized Master Blaster Thrills for Kids
The Mini Blaster is a scaled-down version of the iconic Master Blaster, allowing children 36 inches (91.4 cm) and taller to experience the excitement of uphill blasts and stomach-tickling drops just like the older kids. Compared to its adult counterpart, the Mini Blaster features gentler accelerations, with speeds of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) versus 48 km/h (30 mph), and a ride duration of just over 20 seconds. The design includes a run-out lane at the entrance, enabling kids to line up for repeated rides, making it perfect for parks with limited space.
The first Mini Blaster debuted this past season in the new kids’ area at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels in Texas, where it has been hailed as a winner.
“The contrast between these award-winning products couldn’t be greater, but both are proven to thrill their target audiences,” remarked Doug Smith, Global Head of Sales. “Kudos to everyone involved for the careful thought and hard work that went into making these attractions a reality.”
Record Number of New Products and Innovations Unveiled
Last year at IAAPA Expo, WhiteWater Innovations introduced Wall Runner, set to deliver an extraordinary ride experience at Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Tennessee next year, featuring a first-of-its-kind lateral acceleration that enhances the zero-G sensation.
This year, the company unveiled several new products:
Topspin – Embrace the Downward Spiral
Topspin, the latest addition to WhiteWater Innovations’ compact footprint features, boasts a high-banking corkscrew descent that stands out as a thrilling attraction on its own or can be combined with other features for an even more exhilarating slide experience. Available in both open and enclosed models, Topspin will make its debut at Parrot Island Waterpark in Arkansas.
Nautilus – Flashiest 90° Turns
Nautilus offers a novel approach to 90-degree turns, making it an ideal fusion slide due to its adaptability to various incoming slide paths and speeds. It comes in two models: one enclosed and another with a centre opening for a flume-thru-flume slide or even a walkway. Nautilus will also debut at Parrot Island Waterpark in Arkansas.
Slingshot – Rapid Drop and Return
Slingshot provides riders with a rapid change of direction through high-banking curves that are as entertaining to watch as they are to ride. With an intimidating sawtooth finish, Slingshot’s curves enhance the visual appeal of any slide while effectively managing water in tight spaces. This attraction will debut at Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi.
Covered Boomerango – Outdoor Feature for Indoor Water Park
The iconic zero-G Boomerango wall can now be covered, allowing it to extend outside the confines of an indoor water park. This innovation not only saves valuable indoor space but also serves as an optimal roadside billboard. Covered Boomerango will debut at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
Fiesta Slide – Large and In Charge
Fiesta Slide is a simple yet irresistible attraction that accommodates up to six adults sliding down an undulated ramp side by side. Available in various heights and thrill levels, its wide surface allows for creative theming or branding opportunities. Fiesta Slide made its debut at Evermore Resort in Florida this year and has quickly become a source of laughter.
SmartPay – Flexible Tokenization
SmartPay by Vantage empowers customers with shared payment access, ideal for corporate events or for teenagers, allowing personalised spending limits per person. This innovative payment solution enhances security and autonomy while encouraging increased purchases. The first implementation of SmartPay will take place at San Antonio Zoo in Texas.
“These awards and new products showcase WhiteWater Innovations’ ongoing commitment to delivering unique attractions and clever solutions to meet diverse market needs,” stated Onno Meeter, President of Water Parks at WhiteWater Innovations. “As we approach 2025, we are eager to bring these new innovations to life.”
