Loop 033 printable

Volume 2, No. 9. May 24, 2002

New Arrivals

It’s a rapid river ride!
Rasti-Land in Salzhemmendorf, Germany announces the arrival of a rapid river raft ride by Hafema, May 1, 2002. Measurements: 500 meters long (1,650 feet), 5-meter (17-foot) drop in the course, 9 seats per boat. Delivered by Hafema.

Taking two years to complete, the new rapid river raft ride garnered much curiosity among Rasti-Land’s guests long before it opened. When it did open, its unique-to-Germany super whirlpool that seems to suck boats out of view into a swirling maelstrom further intrigued guests who made the new ride a huge hit.

“From the day of opening the new ride was our visitors’ favorite, especially because of the super whirlpool” said park owner Ludwig Ratzke. “The reaction was really enthusiastic.”

He described the new ride, which also includes a 400-square-meter (1,320-square-foot) wave basin with a 10-meter (33-foot) waterfall, as Rasti-Land’s “biggest and most sensational attraction so far,” costing 2.85 million Euros (US$2.6 million), including a 30-meter (99-foot) bridge and footpaths. Yet to come is theming, which the park will accomplish in the next year, and with that theming the ride will receive a name. In conjunction with Rasti-Land’s 30th anniversary, the park will host a special celebration and media event for the raft ride at that time.