Hobbies And Interests
History
Versions of the modern water slide have been around ever since we invented aqueducts as a way of transporting water. Rather than climbing steep hills to get back to the bottom of the aqueduct for further repairs, laborers took to sliding through the tubes as a way of cutting time. Of course, this is a far cry from the far less practical ways in which water slides are used today. Herbert Sellner introduced the water slide into American consciousness with the Sellner Water-Toboggan slide in 1923. Sellner was an amusement park mogul and it was this invention that led to many of the further innovations in amusement park technology, such as the roller coaster and the Tilt-a-Whirl.
Types
Water slides can be found in backyards and amusement parks across the country, and they are as varied as they are numerous. Some have corkscrew designs, enabling the rider to experience more thrills per square inch, and some are designed to simply go straight down into a pool. Recently, slides have been incorporating a steeper gradient in order to provide a more thrilling experience for the rider. These slides, sometimes referred to as "extreme water slides," put the rider in the position of dropping nearly straight down from the top, giving the sensation of free fall. Other slides put more emphasis on the curves and twists in the slide, slowing down the ride in favor of making it last longer and giving the rider a less predictable slide to the bottom. Finally, there are the innertube slides, in which riders (sometimes two or more at a time) sit in an innertube for the duration of the slide.
Size
Disney's Blizzard Beach has the record of tallest water slide in the United States. Its Summit Plummet is a vertical "extreme" water slide that stretches to an incredible height of 121 feet. Disney claims the rider reaches a top speed of 55 miles per hour while plummeting from these dizzying heights. Beating that to become the tallest water slide in the world is the Insano, located in Brazil at the Beach Park amusement park. It towers over the park at 135 feet, or the equivalent of a 14 story building. It is noted in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest water slide on the planet.
Significance
Due mainly to their water slides, water-based amusement parks have become some of the most popular summertime destinations for families across the country. According to the World Waterpark Association, there are more than 1,000 water amusement parks in North America alone. This figure includes not only corporate style water parks, but municipal waterpark facilities and recreational pools that have incorporated water-park characteristics, including slides. Estimates put the average yearly attendance of these parks at close to 80 million people. The most popular water park in the country is Disney's Typhoon Lagoon in Lake Buena Vista, Fl, which averages an annual attendance of over 2 million people.
Warning
Another type of popular water slide, the "Slip N Slide," consists of a yellow strip of plastic, to which a sprinkler is connected. Unlike many other types of recreational slides, the Slip n Slide is designed to go in the yard. The objective is to simply get a running start and then dive onto the slide, the way a baseball player might slide into second base. As much fun as these slides may be, the U.S. Product and Safety Commission warns that they are intended for children's use only. Because of their increased height and weight, older teens and adults can suffer permanent spinal injuries from use of these slides. According to the USPSC, at least seven adults have suffered injuries to the neck, some resulting in quadriplegia. This type of water slide is also sold under the brand names "Wet Banana" and "White Water Rapids."