ProSlide Technology

ProSlide Technology, Inc. is a Canadian designer and manufacturer of water rides and water park resorts.^[2] They design and manufacture both traditional slides and innovative rides such as water coasters, funnel-shaped Tornado slides, and Bowl slides.^[3] ProSlide has received attention for being the first water slide manufacturer to build a water slide using linear induction motors and for designing the Mammoth watercoaster which was named the world's longest watercoaster by Guinness World Records in 2016.^[4][5] Since 1986, ProSlide has developed and designed water rides for water parks in over 40 countries around the world.^[6]

ProSlide Technology

Company type	Private
Industry	Manufacturing
Founded	1986
Founder	Richard D. Hunter
Headquarters	2650 Queensview Drive Unit 150 Ottawa, Ontario K2B 8H6
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Water slides
Number of employees	100+(2016)^[1]
Website	www.proslide.com

Models

Proslide makes a number of different model lines, some in different sizes. The ones in different sizes have names which are the name of the model, followed by a number, indicating the size. Their slide models are:

• Tornado-18, 24, 32, 45 & 60. This consists of a main funnel that riders enter on a raft. This is, as Rick Hunter (president & CEO) says, “a serpentine in run, then we have a funnel experience, then we have a serpentine out run.”
• TornadoWave-45, 60, double TornadoWave 60 & SwitchBack. This model has a raft go down a drop, and up into a large wall, where it falls back and continues along its course.
• Bowl-ProBowl 30, CannonBowl 30 & 40 & BehemothBowl 40 & 60. These have a large bowl which the riders spiral in, before they lose speed and fall into a hole in the middle. The ProBowl is a body slide, and riders exit the bowl through a flat hole in the bottom, where they fall into a deep pool. The Cannon and BehemothBowls are raft slides, so their holes are angled to the side, so the raft can only exit in one direction.
• FlyingSaucer-20, 30, 45 & 60. These consist of large slalom turns which have a large disk in the centre. The theory behind this is the disks will make riders look towards the exit, giving a more interesting experience.
• Water Coaster-HydroMagnetic Rocket, HydroMagnetic Mammoth, RocketBlast, Dueling RocketBlast, Launched Dueling RocketBlast & MammothBlast. These use a method to propel rafts up an incline, after they have either gone down a drop roughly the same height as the incline, or a flat launch section, as to build up speed, as the mechanism that propels the raft only maintains the speed when on an incline. The two methods for propelling the raft is either by using powerful jets that pump water at the raft, pushing it. These can be found on the slides that end with “Blast”, and currently, this is the only method to use a launch, on the Launched Duelling RocketBlast. The other method is found on the slides starting with “HydroMagnetic”, and as the name suggests, it uses magnets underneath the slide to propel magnets underneath the rafts. The magnets are arranged and programmed as “LIMs”, or Linear Induction Motors, like on some rollercoasters. The two main types of raft used are depending on the name of the type of slide. If it has “Rocket” in it, the rafts will have linear seating, with riders in front of each other and all facing forwards, but if it has “Mammoth” in it, then the rafts will be circular, with passengers facing each other.
• Speed Slide-SkyBox, SuperLoop, FreeFall, MultiBump & TurboMammoth. These are in a way faster and usually not as long versions of serpentine slides, and all but the TurboMammoth being body slides. The MultiBump and TurboMammoth usually have the same layout, except the TurboMammoth has round rafts, and the MultiBump, like all other speed slides, is a body slide. The SkyBox is a large box with a transparent trapdoor as the floor, and opens to drop guests into either a FreeFall or SuperLoop, which it can be combined with.
• Serpentine-Twister, Pipeline, Dueling Pipeline & Mammoth. These are what most people think of when they think of slides, as Serpentine slides just consist of one long tube.
• Racer-ProRacer, KrakenRacer, OctopusRacer & RallyRacer. These consist of sections of open slides beside each other, with helixes in between.
• PowerRiver-Similar to a Mammoth, however the slide is more similar to a standard rapids style ride.
• WaterKingdom:
  • Kidz Rides-These are smaller versions of other slide models, with the name of slide it is based on coming after the word ‘Kidz’. These slides are:
    • Twister
    • Pipeline
    • ProRacer
    • OctopusRacer
    • RallyRacer
    • Wave-Smaller version of TornadoWave
    • Bowl
    • Tornado 12
  • RideHouse

There are also Hybrid slides, which consist of more than one type of slide. For example, Kinnaree at Siam Park is a Hybrid slide of a Tornado 24 and a TornadoWave 60.

History

Corporate history

After being a member of Canada’s alpine skiing team from 1969 to 1974, Richard D. Hunter founded ProSlide Technology Inc. in 1986.^[7][8] In 1990, Hunter purchased Mont Cascades, a ski area and waterpark in Quebec.^[6] Mont Cascades has since served as a research and development area where Proslide tests new ride ideas.^[9]

In 2007, ProSlide purchased a 100-acre plot of land in Ottawa where it has been developing the Alottawata waterpark.^[9] The park was expected to open in summer 2019 and would have served in part as a research and development centre for the company.^[1] As of August 2018 however, the park has been put on indefinite hold.As of July 2023 The land has been sold and proslide no longer owns the land^[10]

Attraction history

ProSlide debuted three types of water slides in 1987, Twisters, Kidz, and Plummets, which are all types of body flumes. The first Twisters opened at Mont Saint-Sauveur in Quebec and Adventure World Theme Park (now known as Six Flags America) in Largo, Maryland, United States; both parks opened 4 Twisters that year.^[11] Plummets consist of a vertical drop only, followed by a long, flat segment to help riders decelerate. The first Plummets opened at Aquapar Magog in Quebec and Six Flags America, respectively.^[12] ProSlide also debuted their children's water slides (ProSlide Kidz) in 1987, which are miniature versions of Twisters designed for young children. Initially, they were installed more frequently than the full-size Twisters.^[13]

In 1989, the company's PIPEline water slides opened at several locations. The Pipeline is a water slide that carries riders on 1-to-3 person inner tubes and is ProSlide's second most common style.^[14] The Pipeline has both open and enclosed sections; many have water curtains at the beginning and/or end of their enclosed sections. The first Pipeline rides using inner tubes opened at Fantasia de Agua in the Dominican Republic and Waldameer Park in Erie, Pennsylvania.^[14] Throughout the 1990s, several large park chains started opening new ProSlide Pipelines, including Cedar Fair, Six Flags, and Wet 'n Wild.

In 1991, the Mammoth waterslide debuted and was the first ProSlide slide that riders rode in 4-person tubes. The Mammoth is a larger-scale version of the Pipeline.^[15] Wet 'n Wild in Orlando, Florida, opened the first ProSlide Mammoth.

The first ProSlide RACER opened in 1994 at ProSlide's Mont Cascades Waterpark in Cantley, Quebec. Racers consist of one wide slide with dividers between the lanes and are designed that riders can "race" to the finish if ride operators send all of them down the slide at the same time.^[16]

Beginning in the late 1990s, ProSlide began manufactures four kinds of Bowls: ProBowls, CannonBOWLS, BulletBOWLS, and BehemothBOWLS, all four types consist of an enclosed flume that terminates in a bowl; riders travel in a spiral around the bowl (using centrifugal force to stay on the bowl's wall initially) before dropping into a splashdown pool.^[17] ProBowls are enclosed body flumes which end in a bowl with an open top. CannonBowls and the larger BehemothBowls accommodate 2- and 4-person inner tubes, and have a common exit in their centers.^[17][18]

 

Sky Drop, at Plopsaqua, a slide with SkyBOX.

 

Aerial view of the Tornado at Darien Lake.

The first ProSlide Bowl, a ProBowl, opened at Golfland Sunsplash in 1999.^[15]

In the early 2000s, ProSlide gained recognition for its TORNADO, a 4-passenger, 50- to 75-foot-tall enclosed slide which ends in a large, often multicolored funnel. Riders travel back and forth in the funnel several times before exiting into a splashdown pool. The first Tornados opened in 2003 at Six Flags New England, Mountain Creek Waterpark and Holiday World and Splashin' Safari.^[19]

In 2005, ProSlide debuted its waterslide version of a roller coaster, the Rocket, an uphill water coaster. Proslide's first Rockets opened at Noah's Ark Water Park, Six Flags New England, and the Great Wolf Lodge.^[20]

ProSlide opened a LIM-propelled Rocket at the Great Wolf Lodge near Kings Island in 2006; in 2007, LIM-launched Rockets opened at Naju Lake Waterpark in Korea and at Kentucky Kingdom.^[20][21] Super Tubes Hydrocoaster at WhiteWater World in Australia, have used the ProSlide HydroMagnetics system of Linear Induction Motors placed throughout the ride to launch riders up the uphill sections. HydroMagnetics uses Force Engineering LIM technology, which first gained recognition in the amusement park industry as the power behind launched roller coasters such as Flight of Fear and Speed - The Ride. ProSlide HydroMAGNETIC ROCKETS are the first waterslides to use this same technology, which allows for more flexibility and efficiency in running the waterslides' uphill sections than the previous conveyor-belt system did.^[22] In 2012, the company's Mammoth was recognized as the longest water coaster in the world when it opened at Holiday World.^[23]

 

The Super Tubes Hydrocoaster (a LIM-powered ProSlide Rocket) and The Green Room (a ProSlide Tornado) at WhiteWater World.

Awards and recognition

During the early 2000s, ProSlide manufactured the majority of the water park industry's award-winning rides. In 2005, three of the top five Golden Ticket Award winners for Best New Ride for 2005 (Water Park) were rides manufactured by ProSlide.^[24][25] ProSlide also had two of the top three winners for Best Waterpark Ride in 2004, 2005 and 2006.^[24][26][27] From 2010-2017, ProSlides Wildebeest watercoaster at Holiday World and Splashin' Safari was named Best Waterpark Ride.^[28][29][30] In 2017, the company earned an additional Golden Ticket Award for Best New Water Park Ride for the Thunder Rapids Water Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.^[30]

ProSlide is a 15-time IAAPA ‘Best Water Ride’ winner as well as a three-time recipient of IAAPA’s ‘Industry Impact Award,’ given to the top attraction in the entire industry.^[31] The company has also won several IAAPA Brass Ring Awards: Best New Product Exhibitor Awards which recognizes the best new product or service in the amusement parks and attractions industry.^[32]

References

1. Pileci, Vito (29 April 2016). "South-end Waterpark Finally Moving Ahead, Developer Says". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
2. Kleiman, Joe (30 July 2012). "ProSlide Opens KrakenRACERS at Three US Parks". InPark Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
3. Ralph, Owen (19 July 2017). "Wet'n'Wild Toronto Makes a Splash With Mammoth New Attractions". Blooloop. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
4. "Guinness World Records Certifies 'Mammoth' At Holiday World Longest Water Coaster". Tribune Star. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
5. Murphy, Mekado (5 July 2017). "Water Ride vs. Roller Coaster: Now You Don't Have to Choose". New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
6. Holleron, Mark (3 March 2014). "Hit The Slopes". Ottawa At Home. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
7. "For Global Success, Just Add Water". Ottawa Citizen. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
8. "Meet Rick Hunter, Disney's Waterslide Go-to Guy". The Globe and Mail. 21 June 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
9. Hill, Bert (24 November 2007). "Firm Set to Make Waves With Massive Water Park". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
10. "Plans for south end waterpark on hold, again". ottawacitizen. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
11. . Twister Installations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
12. . Plummet Installations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
13. . Kidz Installations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
14. . Pipeline Installations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
15. . Mammoth Installations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
16. . Racer Installations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
17. . CannonBOWLS. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
18. . BehemothBOWLS. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
19. . Tornado Installations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
20. . Rocket Installations. Archived from the original on 13 November 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
21. "Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay". Splashwater Kingdom is bigger, better and wetter!. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
22. "New water park brings slide innovation", retrieved January 21, 2006
23. Roseboom, Matt (August 3, 2011). . Attractions Magazine. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
24. (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2006.
25. (PDF). 2003 Golden Ticket Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2006.
26. (PDF). 2004 Golden Ticket Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2006.
27. (PDF). 2006 Golden Ticket Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2006.
28. . 29 April 2011. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011.
29. . Golden Ticket Awards. Archived from the original on 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2011-11-27.
30. "Proslide Water Attractions Make a Splash at Golden Ticket Awards". Blooloop. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
31. "ProSlide Receives Top IAAPA Awards". Pool & Spa Marketing. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
32. "2016 IAAP Brass Ring Award Winners". IAAPA. 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2018.

External links

• Official website
• Industry awards for ProSlide products
• First Place IAAPA Awards for ProSlide products
• Alottawata website