Posted
A video is making the rounds through spammy press outlets right now of a water slide concept that uses a pusher to launch a boat into the course. Headlines suggest it would be terrifying and stuff.
Here's why it's a dumb idea: ProSlide already solved this problem. It has a product today that uses linear induction motors under the slide, reacting to plates in the boats. If you've been to Holiday World and Splashin' Safari, you've been on these and you know that they're awesome. The ride in the concept video adds unnecessary complexity, and potentially other problems since you have to exert some kind of downward force to keep the boat down, since it's not on a track.
File this in the "never will happen" category.