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Volume 2, No. 10. June 14, 2002

New Arrivals

It’s twin waterslides!
Noah’s Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, announces the arrival of Stingray, May 26, 2002. Measurements: 40 feet high (12 meters), 30-foot width (9 meters). Delivered by Water Fun Products, Newman Pools and Quicktech.

When Tim Gantz, co-owner of Noah’s Ark, said the first day of his new ride “was a little rough,” he was profoundly understating the case. The first day didn’t happen. When a cold front moved in and dropped the temperature to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 Celsius) for the park’s scheduled season opener on Memorial Day Saturday, Gantz decided not to even open the park.

So Stingray, the first double installation of Water Fun’s Sidewinder MKI slides, made its public debut the next day, which was still cloudy and windy, but at least the mercury was rising to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 Celsius). “There were not a lot of people in the park that day, but kids were riding it 12 times in a row,” Gantz said of the Stingray. “Amazingly, it wasn’t just the kids; I saw an adult go eight times in a row.” And when Monday unfolded as a cloudless 80 degrees (27 Celsius), the attraction attracted a large crowd, Gantz said. “We’re glad we put two in. The crowd goes right to it.”

Choosing to birth twin slides was not the only capital improvement decision Gantz made to the site. Noah’s Ark put in a viewing area and food court with picnic tables around the L-shaped structure to increase traffic. Standing 60 feet high (18 meters) above the ride is Stingray’s sign, a focal point for the park. “We made sure we put it on extra long poles,” Gantz said.

Meantime, Gantz did not feel stung by the delayed opening. “I never got my hopes up anyway,” he said. “In the nine years we have run this park, only two have had successful opening weekends because of the weather.”

Read more about Stingray in the July issue of Amusement Today/Splash!