WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer, has announced its ISO 14001 certification and shared details of key projects, achievements, and trends at a press conference at IAAPA Expo 2024.
The company also celebrated the induction of its CEO, Geoff Chutter, into the IAAPA Hall of Fame.
ISO 14001 accreditation
WhiteWater has been awarded ISO 14001 accreditation, which is the globally accepted benchmark for environmental management systems. With this certification, clients and collaborators can be assured of the company’s proactive efforts to reduce its adverse environmental effects.
The scope will be extended in coming years and currently includes managing environmental hazards in product development, design, marketing, sales, manufacture, logistics, installation, and service from the head office.
WhiteWater’s first Impact Report (available to download here) highlights the company’s dedication to ethical business management, including environmental, social, supply chain, and governance practices.
“How we do business is as important to us as what we make,” says Chutter, and WhiteWater is known for creating world-class attractions for adventurous clients, who keep returning to the company for their major projects.
The UAE
WhiteWater has collaborated with Yas Waterworld from its inception. The company has again partnered with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading provider of immersive destinations and experiences, on a highly anticipated expansion project in the Middle East. In 2025, Yas Waterworld plans to increase guest capacity by 20%, adding 18 rides and 3.3 km of slide path from WhiteWater. This will bring the total number of attractions to more than 70.
Highlights will include the UAE’s largest water slide, a 40-metre-high Flatline Loop, and the world’s first integrated water coaster, Shoot the Chute. As part of the park’s Emirati heritage theme, this 20-seat amusement ride will continue the Legend of the Lost Pearl narrative and drop riders into a 15-metre plunge with a splash that will leave them, and onlookers, feeling refreshed.
The world’s largest and longest Parallel Pursuit competition slides, first-of-its-kind Master Blasters, and a new children’s section with the first Mini Blaster Fusion slide will also feature in this expansion area, which promises fun around every corner.
The Americas
The leisure industry in Latin America is booming, and developers are increasingly active, particularly in the hotel and resort industries. WhiteWater is working on several projects in premium properties.
Families are a key audience in the region, and in 2025, Thermas dos Laranjais in Brazil plans to launch a tower with two six-person raft rides, each combining three huge, iconic water slide elements. In addition, the Master Blaster will open at Brazil’s Beach Park, and will be the tallest water coaster in the world at 27.9 metres.
The surf park trend is also growing in popularity in Brazil. Endless Surf Angra, for example, will open at the luxurious Brasil Surfe Clube in 2026 and will be the biggest surf pool in South America.
In addition to its enormous potential, the Latin American market’s expansion places a strong focus on sustainability, which WhiteWater is well-positioned to meet thanks to its ongoing efforts to lessen its environmental impact.
Furthermore, noteworthy project openings in the USA during 2025 will include:
- Rafter’s Rage. The attraction at Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Tennessee is set to be the first Wall Runner in the world, with unparalleled drifting sensations and lateral acceleration to enhance the zero-g experience.
- RiverRacers. The Blaster Battle at Kings Island’s Soak City Water Park in Ohio will be the state’s first and only duelling water coaster.
- Dawn Breaker. The new ride at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Ohio is a stunning, themed Boomerango that transports riders from darkness to dawn.
Key trends
The intangible overall visitor experience is equally as significant as rides, and WhiteWater’s attractions management platform, Vantage, is proving to be popular with a variety of venue types. Vantage is engaging with the San Antonio Zoo to personalise guest experiences and streamline operations, building on its existing water park installations.
SmartPay, SmartNotify, SmartControl, and SmartVue are included in the suite of tools designed to improve guest engagement and ROI. Vantage’s agnostic approach allows for extension and integration with other third-party systems, providing versatility to venue partners.
Although indoor water parks are not new to the industry, improvements in HVAC, construction systems, and architectural principles are fostering a resurgence in this market. Improved lighting, movable walls or roofs, more entertainment options, and an adult-only area all feature in the next generation of indoor water parks.
Some recent projects that use WhiteWater for all aquatic attractions include:
- Bavarian Inn. Michigan’s largest indoor water park will debut this winter with 20 new attractions, including the state’s first duelling water slides and an aquatic play structure with a Bavarian theme.
- Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Wisconsin Dells. The expansion at the Wisconsin attraction will open in 2026 and include a children’s section and a family water slide complex featuring the global first covered Boomerango, that will extend beyond the building envelope.
- Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Spotsylvania County. Virginia’s largest indoor water park is set to launch in 2026, covering 16,250 square metres (175,000 square feet).
The trend is also apparent outside of North America, as WhiteWater provides all of the water slides and aquatic recreational equipment for significant projects such as:
- Water World at Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Skiing Theme Resort in China. The water park at the largest indoor ski hall in the world opened this year.
- Aquapark Dalmatia in Croatia. Set to launch this winter, with attractions for a new indoor water park to partner with its acclaimed outdoor park.
- Sportoase Sint Niklaas in Belgium. This sports complex is funded by a public and private collaboration with a focus on sustainability, and is expected to open in 2026.
Industry recognition
WhiteWater’s CEO was honoured with one of the industry’s top recognitions for helping clients realise their ideas, and shaping aquatic entertainment for 40 years.
On 18 November, Chutter was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame at the “LEGENDS: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair” event. Since launching WhiteWater in 1980, Chutter has had a significant impact on the attractions sector, including water parks, theme parks, resorts, and surf spaces worldwide. In addition, he will join the 2025 IAAPA Board of Directors, leveraging his extensive commercial knowledge and expertise.
Chutter says: “I’m truly humbled to be inducted into IAAPA’s Hall of Fame. I interpret this as a reflection of the hard work of our teams across our six business units. My recent appointment to the IAAPA Board only underscores this gratitude. I look forward to serving.”
Although the year is not yet finished, receiving industry recognition and celebrating with peers has been a highlight for WhiteWater. The company looks forward to another successful year.
Last week, WhiteWater revealed its plans to unveil new attraction categories and debut more new products than ever before at the IAAPA Expo, where it is exhibiting at booth #2254.
