Late last week, SeaWorld San Antonio began teasing that “something big” was coming to the park.
Looks like something big is coming… pic.twitter.com/Xvs3hrKOmM
— seaworldtexas (@SeaWorldTexas) September 22, 2016
We now know what that “something” is.
Named Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster, SeaWorld San Antonio’s new coaster will be the first of its kind in North America.
“The new coaster promises a ride of a lifetime that’s also unique to SeaWorld’s mission,” said SeaWorld San Antonio Park President Carl Lum. “Replicating an adventure limited to only a few trained professionals, Wave Breaker will launch riders into an exhilarating experience similar to going on an animal rescue mission. The coaster is sure to thrill, but also brings awareness to the brave efforts of our animal teams as they join forces with organizations around the world to help ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned animals.”
The coaster will combine the thrill of the sea with the adrenaline rush of a roller coaster, and include a variety of features inspired by the reality of jet skiing across a body of water.
The unique jet ski-style car design is the first such coaster design in North America and engages riders in a straddled seating position. The design will allow riders to lean into a series of banked and serpentine turns, and grip the handle bars as they race over hills designed for maximum airtime, and a pair of high acceleration launches.
From SeaWorld’s Website: Inspired by the Emmy® award-winning program, Sea Rescue®, the coaster enables riders to feel what it’s like to race alongside SeaWorld’s heroic animal care team and veterinarians as they spring into action at a moment’s notice to help rescue animals in distress. The new coaster is unique to SeaWorld’s mission and brings awareness to the brave efforts of the SeaWorld animal teams as they join forces with organizations around the world to help ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned animals. Even the queue line experience will tell the story of a rescue mission and invite guests to become involved in helping protect animals.
Hold on tight! @SeaWorldTexas‘ Wave Breaker is just one of the exciting new attractions coming to #SeaWorld in 2017: https://t.co/MJhoJHIYsY pic.twitter.com/bBbxZ6DQJM
— SeaWorld (@SeaWorld) September 27, 2016
“Inspired by our guests’ ongoing requests to learn more about how they can help support animal rescue efforts, each ride begins by telling the story of a rescue mission and invites guests to become personally involved in helping to protect animals,” added Lum. “Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster will definitely be a thrilling ride, but we also hope it brings riders on a journey of discovery, as together we work to protect the wild wonders of our world.”
“Anybody can design and build a coaster. That’s not that uncommon,” Lum said in a phone interview with MySanAntonio.com. “I think it’s more important you design a coaster with a message.”
This looks like a cool point of view…stay tuned for a big announcement tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/W5sbzArhyc
— seaworldtexas (@SeaWorldTexas) September 26, 2016
“The ride looks like individual jet skis on the coaster’s 2,600-foot-long track, most of which will be built over the park’s Ski Lake. The ride will have heights of 61 feet and feature interactive components about animal rescue efforts conducted by the park and other organizations,” Lum said.
The coaster will have a top speed of 44mph and minimum height requirement of 48 inches. The duration of the ride will be more than three minutes. According to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records, the project is expected to be complete by June 1 and cost $18 million.
Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster marks the return of Intamin to the United States. Intamin’s last new U.S. Coaster was Skyrush at Hersheypark, which opened in 2012. This is not Intamin’s first experience with SeaWorld Parks, as they were the company behind Cheetah Hunt, which opened at Busch Gardens Tampa in 2011.
Are you excited for Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster? Let us know in the comments below!
Recent Discussion