Global designer and manufacturer of innovative waterpark products, WhiteWater, has won a Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Thea Award, for its Slideboarding ride.
The interactive attraction was recognised for Outstanding Achievement in the Technology category.
This is the second time WhiteWater has won a Thea Award. The first was in 2001 for ParcAsterix’ Spinning Rapids Ride known as L’Oxygenarium.
WhiteWater’s win for Slideboarding recognises the ride’s game-changing technology. Described on the company’s website as ‘a video game come to life’, it drives client engagement in and outside the park via a game app. This feature has proved to be a huge hit with teens as they repeat ride in an effort to reach the next game level. It is also driving social media activity.
Slideboarding is currently installed in over a dozen parks. Two of those that quickly grasped its potential were Wet‘n’Wild Las Vegas and Hyland Hills’ Water World in Denver.
“Slideboarding is unique. It works on every level,” comments Yvonne Fischbach, Executive Director, Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District. “Our guests keep coming back to pass each game level while our park collects hugely valuable operational data and marketing insights. We’ve partnered with WhiteWater during the product development process to bring the world this market first. They have been with us every step of the way”.
WhiteWater praised these early adopters for being prepared to embrace new technology while working through prototypes and testing:
“Their vision has contributed to the success of Slideboarding today and their part in the development of the product has helped WhiteWater obtain the Thea.”
“Guest expectations continue to grow for what a waterslide, an amusement ride, or a museum can be,” added Geoff Chutter, WhiteWater’s President and CEO.
“Thea recipients demonstrate that, as an industry, we anticipate and respond by pushing forward and challenging ourselves to turn the huge scale of our imaginations into reality. TEA plays a central role in bringing the best and most creative of the industry together and WhiteWater is very proud to be a part of this group of innovators.”
