Polin Waterparks: France's Aqualand renews Waterslides Blooloop

Two existing French Aqualands are to be transformed following the decision to expand and add new rides to the waterparks. Aqualand St.Syr, Sur Mer in the South of France and Aqualand Bassin d’Arcachon on the west coast have undertaken comprehensive research prior to the decision to upgrade.

Both waterparks have asked Polin to work with them on the project, a natural choice as Polin are considered to be world leaders in the design, installation and manufacture of waterparks.

Aqualand is the largest waterpark chain in Europe and has attractions in France, Portugal and Spain. The waterparks are owned by Aspro Group, the biggest water and leisure park operators in the region. Founded in 1991, Aspro currently runs a total of 40 attractions, 9 of them being French Aqualands.

Over the years, Aqualand Waterparks have proved to be the leading waterpark chain in Europe by offering some of the newest and most exciting attractions available.

First Racer Hybrid waterslide debuts in Aqualand Bassin d’Arcachon (France)

Aqualand Bassin d’Arcachon is the largest aquapark on the Atlantic coast, covers six acres and opened in 1985.

The waterpark has now added Polin’s Racer Hybrid Waterslide which has the core feature of two double-tube slides configured side by side along a circular path.

The tubes can accommodate two riders in each to a total of four, making it a high capacity ride. The tubes twist and turn before they diverge into two different slides, Turbolance and Space Boat.

Turbolance propels riders uphill before taking them on an unforgettable reverse path which then finishes in an exciting bump ending and a splash pool or dry-out. Riders who find themselves on the Space Boat path exit into a huge open bowl which whirls guests around the sides of the bowl with centrifugal force, before ending up in a slide through hole. This high-speed, high-capacity, multi-lane slide is a racing waterslide with Natural Light Effects and effectively doubles the capacity of ‘normal’ waterpark slides.

The colour combination used on the slides gives a further, aesthetic appeal and the park owners are said to be delighted with the choices made in design by both Polin and themselves.

Mr. Wilfrid Lenandais, Waterpark Manager, Aqualand Bassin d’Arcachon, said “We invested 1.5 million Euros for [the] 2011 additions. The new slides enhance the adrenaline throughout the park. We are very satisfied with the new rides. Our guests are as happy as we are as they experience these new, revolutionary waterslides.”

The new waterslide at Aqualand St. Syr Sur Mer: Black Hole Turbolance

Located between Marseilles and Toulon at the edge of the Mediterranean, Aqualand St. Syr Sur Mer hosts around 200, 000 guests per year.

The attraction was last updated and expanded in 2004 and Aqualand St Syr Dur Mer decided the time was now right for further expansion, if they are to retain their leading position in the industry.

Polin were the natural choice to help them achieve this and have now added the uniquely designed waterslide Black Hole Turbolance to the attraction. The new ride is a combination of two existing popular Polin designs, the Turbo Lance and the Black Hole slides and represents an expertly engineered waterslide sure to attract even more visitors.

The new high-capacity slide promises to deliver an unforgettable ride experience and has an exclusive colour combination which allows for outstanding levels of visual harmony throughout the park.

“The installation had been completed in late May and the park opened in mid June. Our guests are so happy with the new slide, ” says Mr. Michel Moenne, Manager, Aqualand St. Sy. Sur Mer.

It is important to note that besides the unique design and ride path, the new slides at both Aqualands are the first RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) manufactured waterslides in Aqualand waterparks. These slides add value to the overall appearance of the park.

About POLIN

POLIN was founded in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1976 and has become one of the leading companies in the design, manufacturing and installation of waterparks and waterslides in the world.

Polin are involved with every aspect of waterslide design, from conception to installation and have been a pioneer in the advancement and application of the Light RTM process in waterslide manufacturing.

Since 2006, Polin has converted to Light RTM on over 90 per cent of its annual fibreglass production. Polin also offers the unique Natural Light Effect technology and Special Pattern Effects technology in RTM and also produces translucent RTM waterslides.