Brand new Intamin river rapids ride in Europe

The gates at Sea World of Texas are a lot more fail proof in that they pop out sideways from the walls so nothing will flip.

I think Rip Roaring Rapids was one of the earlier versions and so they were still *learning*. :)

A little off topic, but has Hafema designed/built any rapid rides lately? I know I saw some pictures some time ago of an awesome looking rapids ride they built in Europe (don't remember which park). I believe the only Hafema rapid ride in the US is that really crappy one at Visionland.

I was just going to point that out Cameraman, Phantasialands River Quest is suppose to be truly spectacular, I'd much rather see one of these installed in the US instead. Although it might be too intimidating for Legoland, but hopefully someone else will install one of these. Here's some great images of it:

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=images&imgsz=all&imgc=&vf=all&va=phantasialand+river+quest&fr=FP-tab-web-t&ei=UTF-8

Here's the only pic I could find of "The Drop" (this ride has 3 drops total!):

http://www.coasterforce.com/index.php?categoryid=342

Check out the video under "Galerie":

http://www.phantasialand.de/7262/phantasialand/attraktionen/river-quest/river-quest.html

And a great review:

http://www.parkfunworld.be/dossier/tech/11220025.jpg

The only image I could find of Hafema's whirlpool element (wish someone would build one of these coaster/rapids hybrid here!):

http://www.parkfunworld.be/dossier/tech/11220025.jpg

There have been many boat flips over the year and not just on Intamin Rides. I know of a serious boat flip on an O.D. Hopkins model and I know the person who jumped in to save one of the people (he was a lifeguard at the park at the time). One of the last serious boatflips I can remember was on Blizzard River at SFNE.

I've read a lot of accident reports that are required by some states, and the rapids ride is right up there as one of the kings of minor mishaps that could put a damper on your day. And it's not boatflipping that is the problem. The main problem is people bumping their heads and other bodyparts into each other due to the turbulent nature of the rides, so there could be a reason for those seatbelts.

As for really wet Intamin rapids rides, TNCoasterman, check out the rapids ride at PKD. Holy crap do you get wet if you're unlucky going through the grand finale in the shed. There are two long water curtains (one on either side). Another really wet rapids ride is Roman Rapids at BGW. The statues are not your friends:) And while we rode the rapids ride at Hersheypark on a generous day, on a normal day there won't be a dry person on the boat due to three water falls in a row around the back section by Roller Soaker. An oh, it happens to travel right under Roller Soaker as well and if its effects are on, you're going to get wet.

I still say the most brutal rapids ride I've ever been on is Thunder Canyon at Dorney Park. Who was the sadistic person who came up with that one? It's just one waterfall after another, after another, after... At least you can ride in your swimsuit.

As far as I know, the only Hafema river rapids ride in North America is at Wild Adventures. Pretty basic one I hear, except it has the whirlpool.

Also, I just read that Intamin is doing another rapid ride in Europe. This time in Germany at a park called Ravensburger Spieleland. Should be 400 meters long (1300-1400 feet) and will also feature a drop AND a whirlpool! Name is "Alpin Rafting".

Update! Someone asked when was the last time Hafema built a river rapids ride. I through it was in 2003... but its actually in 2005.

A water park named Etnaland, located in Sicillia, built a themed Hafema river rapids ride. Smart move! Your guests will be happy when the ride soak them to the bones and you got a ride with great PPH, which is always lacking from water parks (except lazy river, action rivers and wave pools). By chance, a friend sent me a link to a great video showing the ride:

http://www.parksmania.it/etnaland_news_crocodile-rapids-e-il-parco_1129.html

The reason the Hafema ride at WA is *basic* is because Kent won't let me come up and THEME it....cool ride, but really, other than the whirlpool, it's kinda lacking. Also needs misters, water cannons, ways for riders to get "moderately wet" - esp. since the Blackfoot Falls STC is the ride that gets you SOAKED... ;)