Intamin, a creator of record-breaking amusement rides, is celebrating the launch of the UK's tallest Gyro Swing, Aviktas, which opened on 21 May at Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool.
Nearly doubling the height of the UK's former tallest Gyro Swing, Maelstrom at Drayton Manor, Aviktas launches riders 138 feet (42 metres) into the air with angles of up to 120 degrees.
Aviktas offers a high capacity on a compact footprint and recovers up to 40% of the power from each rideCopyright Pleasure Beach Resort
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, says: "Pleasure Beach has always had a reputation for going big and pushing boundaries - Aviktas is no exception. Its sheer size and presence speaks for itself, there is simply nothing like it in the UK.
"We wanted to build something that sets us apart from anywhere else and gives our guests a genuine must-visit reason to come to the park.
"This project is another reminder of our commitment to making Pleasure Beach one of the world’s greatest theme parks."
Landmark investment
Pleasure Beach invested £8.72m in the highly anticipated new attraction, its largest single investment in 8 years following the opening of the double-launch coaster, ICON.
The ride was initially announced in May 2025. By November, the site, formerly the Bowl-A-Drome arcade and amusement venue, had been demolished and four 16-tonne legs had been installed. Aviktas achieved its first swing early this year.
Aviktas' suspended seats offer a high degree of freedom without upper-body restriction to deliver a feeling of weightlessnessCopyright Your Experience Guide
Designed to deliver maximum thrills, Aviktas features restraints without upper-body restriction that create a sense of weightlessness at the top. Equipped with the most powerful drive system on the market, the dynamic ride reaches top speeds of 60mph at up to 4 G. Furthermore, Aviktas recovers up to 40% of the power from each ride.
The new attraction boasts the largest capacity of any Pleasure Beach ride, accommodating 40 riders. Its suspended seating offers a high degree of freedom, while 5-rpm gondola rotation provides a varied experience.
'Must ride' offering
The Gyro Swing is already earning a reputation as a standout offering in the theme park sector.
Scott Bickerton, owner and creator of the Youtube channel Your Experience Guide and rollercoaster enthusiast, says: "Aviktas is a must ride. It combines airtime, hangtime and intense thrill to provide a completely fresh experience.
"When you’re up at 138ft, the views across Pleasure Beach and out to sea are spectacular. Not only is it an incredible thrill ride, it’s already become a striking visual landmark for the town."
Located on the site of the former Bowl-A-Drome, Aviktas represents the next stage of Pleasure Beach’s ongoing evolutionCopyright Pleasure Beach Resort
The new attraction marks the next stage in Pleasure Beach’s ongoing evolution strategy. In recent years, this has already included the transformation of classic rides such as Launch Pad and Valhalla.
Recently named the best UK theme park in TripAdvisor's Best of the Best awards, Pleasure Beach intends to maintain its momentum into the summer as it celebrates 130 years of operations.
In April, the Intamin Family Launch Coaster Quantum Accelerator launched at Six Flags New England.
