Here at Simply Swim, you know we love all things swimming, and one of our favourite water activities is heading to a great waterpark! If you’re a thrill seeker then one of the best parts of a water park for you could be all the amazing slides, but what are the world’s best? The longest? The highest? There’s so many to choose from, but here are a few we definitely think you should try and ride at least once…
Number 10. Verrückt, Kansas City, Kansas.
The Verruckt slide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, USA is the world’s tallest water slide at over 168ft. Riders travel in a 3 person raft and after making the first eye-watering drop are then propelled forward again before making another 50ft drop. Safe to say, this isn’t one for the faint-hearted!
Number 9. Jumeirah Sceirah, Dubai.
The Jumeirah Sceirah slide can be found at the Wild Wadi Waterpark in Dubai. It has two tandem slides and riders must first climb up the 32m tower to reach the slide entrance before entering an enclosed, standing tube. Once your arms and legs are crossed the wait begins. Then all of a sudden the floor beneath you opens and you shoot down the 120m slide at 80km/h!
Number 8. Scorpion’s Tail, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
The Scorpion’s Tail at Noah’s Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin, USA is another great one. Similar to the Jumeirah Sceirah, riders are first enclosed in a standing tube before being dropped down the 440ft slide at more than 50ft per second. The difference with this slide is that it also features an aqua-loop, meaning riders actually loop upside down!
Number 7. Insano, Fortaleza, Brazil
The Insano slide at Beach Park Waterpark in Fortalez, Brazil is one of the world’s tallest slides and shoots riders at speeds of up to 105 km/h down its 41 metre length. The view from the top is great, if you’re brave enough to make the journey down!
Number 6. Dawwama, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Dawwama at Yas Waterworld Waterpark in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a great one to enjoy with friends. You ride in a raft of up to 6 people down the 20ft high slide that ends with a huge funnel section to swing riders from side to side.
Number 5. Brain Wash, Orlando, Florida.
Another one for friends and family is the Brain Wash at Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando, USA. This raft ride takes you on a mind-altering ride through light and sound whilst plummeting down a 53ft vertical drop and a swirling 65ft domed funnel. This one will leave you blown away!
Number 4. King Cobra, Jackson, New Jersey.
The King Cobra at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Jackson New Jersey, USA is one of the brightest and boldest of rides on our list. At five stories high, this two person raft slide takes you down it’s 250ft length whilst racing another set of riders on a parallel lane at speeds of up to 32mph. As you approach the end you drop 25ft and then straight up into the fangs of the King Cobra himself. A fun ride for those who aren’t scared of snakes!
Number 3. AquaLOOP, Moravske Toplice, Slovenia.
The AquaLOOP in Slovenia is another great one to try if you fancy going upside down on a water slide! With the trap door that seems to be very popular in water slides, it’s perfect for a closer to home upside down thrill if you’re based in Europe.
Number 2. Leap of Faith, Paradise Island, Bahamas.
This is probably one of the most well-known, or most photographed, slides on our list, the Leap of Faith slide in the Bahamas. This is largely due to the fact that the slide takes riders through a pool filled with sharks, after dropping them 60ft almost-vertical drop. The Mayan Temple style setting isn’t bad either!
Number 1. Summit Plummet, Orlando, Florida.
Finally we have the Summit Plummet slide at Disney’s Blizzard Beach in Orlando, USA. At 12 stories high, this 360ft flume propels you downwards at speeds of 50-60mph! And with a near-vertical drop, this ride definitely isn’t for anyone afraid of heights!
Have you been on any of the slides? Or are there are more you would recommend?