originally posted on 7/30/2021 1:16:38 AM
Without coming into contact with the water, splash effects can be mimicked.
All renderings courtesy Intamin. View full-sized image.
Coaster fans in the know have seen this before. Walibi Belgium opened Pulsar in 2016. Enthusiasts are awaiting the first version in the United States as Six Flags enhances its Aquaman Power Dive, set to open in 2022. Both of these rides are manufactured by Mack Rides.
The concept is simple: a boat uses linear synchronous motors to traverse a section of track with two vertical reverse ends. In the center is an airtime hill. By increasing launch speeds, the boats climb higher on the reverse points with each pass along the track. On the final trip up the back end, a pool of water fills just enough over the track in mere seconds to create an incredible wave when the boat plunges and skims into the pool.
So, now Intamin has a version? Before one can say “copy,” note some differences.
Compared with the original Surf Rider that seated 12, Ultra Surf seats 20. View full-sized image.
Instead of a boat, Intamin is using its Surfrider vehicles found on the company’s U-shaped installations. However, while the rotating gondolas on such rides (for example, Nickleodeon Universe’s Avatar Airbender in Bloomington, Minnesota) seat six, Intamin has announced the two gondolas will seat 10 each, making for a full “board” of 20, significantly increasing capacity.
In this rendering, notice flames have been included as another suggestion. View full-sized image.
The reverse points also go slightly beyond vertical.
The biggest difference is that although there is a pool, the coaster vehicle never comes in contact with the water. Synchronized jets create a variety of options. Interested parties — and who isn’t? — can see the animation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgewcovnGJsV. Vertical walls of water, splash zone waves or a vortex tunnel of water are possibilities. Because the coaster vehicle never comes in contact with the water, adjustments can be made for seasonably cooler months.
The option to include a system to initiate spins over the airtime hill is also a distinction of this model.
The question now is which park will be the first to step up?
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
Water effects are timed exactly to the movement of the ride vehicle. View full-sized image.
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