VANCOUVER, Canada — WhiteWater, the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of water parks, has debuted Boomerango Boombox as “Zambezi Rapids” at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells, taking one of the world’s most recognizable water slide features and completely reimagining the ride experience.
The Boomerango, with its steep drop into the iconic near-vertical wall, has been thrilling riders since 2005 and has become a must-have for many new water park projects. Over 300 of them have been installed worldwide, the majority of which are outdoor.
The new Boomerango Boombox allows this imposing feature to be utilized for indoor water parks, without taking up expensive indoor footprint. Protruding outside the building envelope, this enclosed ride not only makes the attraction operational in any weather, it also creates a fresh, intense ride experience.
Familiar Yet Completely Different
Just like the classic Boomerango, Boomerango Boombox thrills with speed, height, and the true zero G sensations that only a flat wall can provide, but with a low roof—making the experience more immersive. Riders don’t see the wall until they are at the bottom of the drop; the tunnel effect produces more anticipation and an element of surprise when the enormous wall comes into view. The low ceiling also dramatically heightens the perception of velocity, as if the riders are speeding through a cavern.
Boomerango Boombox also demonstrates the most advanced usage of translucent fiberglass parts, with translucent panels along the section leading up to the drop as well as the drop itself. The center dome portion is all translucent, which lets ample light in to bathe riders in a delightful glow.
As with the classic Boomerango, Boomerango Boombox lends itself well to be combined with other water slide features to add a variety of sensations to the experience. Zambezi Rapids is a fusion with a Constrictor for high-banking turns.
Built for Year-Round Climate Considerations
With the first installation of Boomerango Boombox in Wisconsin, the product has been engineered to operate in hot summers and extreme winters. WhiteWater’s signature dewatering technology has been designed to avoid freezing in the cold. Steel connections accommodate the predictable expansion and contraction of fiberglass as the temperature changes. Windows at the top can be opened in the summer for more air circulation.
“As a leading brand in family leisure, Kalahari strives to bring the best experience to our guests, with both tried-and-true attractions and innovations that the world has never seen before,” said Travis Nelson, President of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. “And the Boomerango Boombox is the best example of both. On a scale of 1 to 10, this ride is a 12!”
Doug Smith, WhiteWater’s Head of Sales, adds: “Boomerango Boombox is not just a new ride for the sake of something new. It’s utilizing the world’s best ride in a different environment while making the experience even better. The concept goes well beyond indoor water parks; it could be an outstanding headline attraction for outdoor parks as well.”
