Aqua Twist

Aqua Twist
La Ronde Coordinates 45°31′27″N 73°32′03″W / 45.524097°N 73.534199°W Status Operating Opening date June 1, 2013
Six Flags St. Louis Area Gateway to the West Status Operating Opening date May 24, 2014 Replaced Powder Keg
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Area Sky Status Operating Opening date May 31, 2014 Replaced Wave Jumper
General statistics
Manufacturer	Mack Rides
Model	Twist 'n' Splash
Vehicle type	Boats
Height restriction	36 in (91 cm)
Platform diameter	20 m (66 ft)
Flash Pass Available

Aqua Twist is a water-based teacup ride located at several Six Flags theme parks in North America. Designed by Mack Rides, a German ride manufacturer, the attraction is one of their "Twist 'n' Splash" models. Since 2013, Six Flags has installed Aqua Twists in three of their parks.

History

On August 30, 2012, La Ronde's owner Six Flags announced that they would be adding Aqua Twist to the park in 2013.^[1] On June 1, 2013, the attraction officially opened to the public, making La Ronde the first amusement park in North America to install a ride of its kind.^[2][3][4][5]

On June 28, 2013, Six Flags filed for a trademark with the United States Patents and Trademark Office for the name "Aqua Twist", leading to speculation that the company has plans for future installations at its other parks in the United States.^[6] On August 29, 2013, Six Flags officially announced the ride would be installed at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Six Flags St. Louis for the 2014 season under the name Tsunami Soaker.^[7] Tsunami Soaker at Six Flags St. Louis was the first to open in the United States on May 24, 2014, which replaced the standing but not operating previous ride Powder Keg (also known as Hannibarrels) that sat idle since 1997.^[8] A week later, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom open their new Tsunami Soaker on May 31, 2014, which is located at the former location of Wave Jumper located next to the wooden roller coaster, Roar.^[9]

Installations

Name	Park	Area	Opening date	Refs
Aqua Twist	La Ronde		June 1, 2013	[2]
Tsunami Soaker	Six Flags St. Louis	Gateway to the West	May 24, 2014	[8]
Tsunami Soaker	Six Flags Discovery Kingdom	Sky	May 31, 2014	[9]

Ride experience

Riders board one of the nine boats. Before the ride's operational cycle begins the floor under the boats get filled with water, resulting in the boats floating. Once the ride begins the boats rotate like a traditional teacups attraction from an amusement park. There are six water guns that are equipped onto the boats as a way to splash other riders and bystanders.^[10] The ride operates with nine boats that feature six seats each, resulting in 54 riders per cycle.^[8]

References

1. MacDonald, Brady (August 30, 2012). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2013". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved August 14, 2013.
2. "Aqua Twist". La Ronde. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
3. Kleiman, Joe (May 16, 2013). "Canadian Six Flags Park La Ronde Prepares to Open for 47th Season". In Park Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
4. "L'Aqua Twist, un nouveau manège à La Ronde en 2013 à Montréal". Huffington Post (in French). May 31, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
5. Lau, Rachel (May 30, 2013). "‘Aqua Twist’ guarantees family fun at LaRonde". Global News. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
6. Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. (June 28, 2013). "Aqua Twist". Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). USPTO.
7. "New for 2014". August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
8. "Six Flags St. Louis’ New Tsunami Soaker Delivers a Spinning, Spraying Water Adventure". Six Flags. May 22, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
9. "New Tsunami Soaker Promises a Wet, Wild Good Time". Six Flags. May 22, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
10. "La Ronde introduces Aqua Twist". Park World Magazine: 14. June 2013.

External links

• Official website
• Twist 'n' Splash