WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer, has announced a collaboration with Aquarabia Qiddiya City, a groundbreaking water theme park in Saudi Arabia. The company will design and deliver 22 exhilarating rides and attractions, including some record-breaking and signature experiences.
Slide enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a variety of thrill rides, while for families there will be a selection of favourite slides and kids’ activities with a twist.
Family fun
One of the family-friendly highlights will be FusionFortress 18. Known for its ground-level interactives, this structure allows children with limited mobility to explore and play with toys. They can turn wheels to trigger different reactions on the structure, spray their siblings with jets, and, most importantly, share in the fun together.
The FusionFortress 18, the world’s first play structure of this size, has an astounding 181 interactive play features, 11 different types of water slides, two tipping buckets, and a water geyser that shoots water approximately 30 metres (100 feet) into the air. With its colourful geometric patterns and intricately carved desert animals to spark the imagination, FusionFortress 18 is an easily accessible site that promises to keep visitors entertained for hours on end without requiring a lengthy wait.
Brand new rides
The park will include several never-before-seen attractions in the Middle East, such as the Mat Blaster water slide, which will send riders hurtling down a series of gravity-defying blasts headfirst, and the AquaLoop + Flatline Loop Fusion, which will combine two of the most exhilarating drop slides in the world into one thrilling ride. Both attractions will be located at the distinctive Camel Rock in the middle of the park.
Mike Rigby, GM & RVP, Middle East at WhiteWater, says: “We are deeply honored to be a partner of the groundbreaking Aquarabia Qiddiya City and eager to bring our innovative water slides, attractions, and experiences to this remarkable destination in Saudi Arabia.”
In order to guarantee that each guest at the water theme park is having a good time, some dry fun was also taken into consideration, creating a new benchmark for the sector:
- Hyper Viper (also known as ‘Shoot the Chute’): Guests will experience the high thrill of a 15-meter drop before creating the industry’s biggest splash, soaking both riders and enthusiastic spectators. Unseen before now, WhiteWater’s Water Rides team has introduced unique lighting and spray features, enhancing the traditional Shoot the Chute experience.
- Wadi Tahaddi (also known as ‘Spinning Rapids’): Groups of six embark on a circular raft, delivering a heart-pounding adventure suitable for the entire family. As riders spiral down the over 600-meter-long ride, they experience intense centrifugal forces across a ride path of river trough elements combined with fibreglass water slide sections.
Kelly Sall, general manager of water rides at WhiteWater, says:
“At WhiteWater, our commitment to create water rides that entertain diverse audiences is integral to our mission. We believe that these attractions should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or attire. Our Shoot the Chute and Spinning Rapids Ride exemplify this commitment, offering unforgettable experiences that bring people together, fostering unity and fun for all who visit this Water Theme Park.”
First inland surf pool in the Kingdom
Aquarabia will also be home to the first inland surf pool in Saudi Arabia. The pool, equipped with Endless Surf technology, will provide the most realistic wave customisation possible for surfers of all ability levels, making it the most true surf experience away from the ocean.
With Endless Surf’s proprietary Swell Studio software, waves may be generated every 8–16+ seconds, tailored to surfers’ skill levels. This is a groundbreaking technology and its adaptability guarantees that numerous surfers can enjoy the pool at the same time. Advanced surfers can attempt new feats on a range of waves peeling from the peak, while novices can enjoy the pool near the shore, all in the same session.
“Surfing is a rapidly expanding global sport, and we’re excited to introduce it to the people of Saudi,” says Paul Chutter, president of Endless Surf.
“Our state-of-the-art technology is poised to empower surfers to push the boundaries of their skills, offering a showcase for spectators as they watch riders conquer waves from the proximity of the pool’s shoreline. This development is expected to substantially enhance Qiddiya’s capacity to grow the sport of surfing, while hosting surf competitions in the future, solidifying their position as industry trailblazers in this space.”
This project demonstrates how WhiteWater’s scale, design skill, and breadth of experience enable it to bring the largest and most ambitious projects to reality. As the world excitedly anticipates the grand opening of Aquarabia at Qiddiya City, excitement is building with almost 1,692 metres of slide path already installed within the water theme park.
Last week, WhiteWater released details of more than 60 projects set to open in 2024 including water slides, aquatic play, and surf for a range of venue types.
