Dubai: The Wild Wadi Waterpark on Tuesday launched two new thrilling rides, which dwarf its famous Jumeirah Sceirah ride in place of family rides nearing the end of their life span.
Soaring high above Jumeirah Beach Road, the Burj Surj and Tantrum Alley replaced the Summit Surge and Rush Down Ravine in a move aimed at doubling the water park’s capacity which is now estimated to cater to 800 people at any one time.
“It was time for us to make some changes that have addressed a lot of issues we faced with the previous rides,” said Chris Perry, General Manager of Wild Wadi Waterpark.
“We’ve been able to create more lounging space for our guests and build rides that you’re able to see from the rest of the park and from the road.”
Perry added that the attraction of these new rides will also lighten the load on other popular rides to allow visitors more riding time while in the waterpark.
The new rides are the first in the world to push thrill seekers’ to the limit through the incorporation of three funnels, which resemble large cement mixers, on the Tantrum Alley, and two bowls on the Burj Surj.
For almost one minute, a minimum of two riders on the Tantrum Alley –the more thrilling of the two - sit on a float and are told to hold on tight; as they make their way down a slide only to be throw left to right as they slip and slide up the walls of the funnels.
In the six months of construction it took to build the new rides, nearly 500 contractors were brought on board to maximise the excitement of Dubai’s public as they drift through 20,000 gallons of water.
The Burj Surj was named by Australian Dubai resident, Shani Ireland, in a public competition that received over 1,000 entries.
Ireland was among the first to ride the Tantrum Alley upon opening. She is a regular at the waterpark and has been riding the Jumeirah Sceirah for years, which was the original inspiration for her competition entry.
“When you’re at the top of the Jumeirah Sceirah you have a great view of the Burj Khalifa and Burj rhymes with Surj so I put the two together,” she said.
