Safety: the cornerstone of our industry’s success

INDUSTRY VOICE: Rick Root, World Waterpark Association

In the water park and amusement industry, nothing is more important than safety. It is the foundation upon which our parks, attractions, and experiences are built. No matter our particular business or job function, we all have a role to play in supporting our shared goal: keeping fun safe. As we continue to innovate and push boundaries, our commitment to safety must always remain our top priority. Guests need to feel safe in our facilities, knowing that their enjoyment is supported by the highest standards of care and diligence.

I’d like to take a moment to recognize Amusement Today for its unwavering support of this mission. Through its ongoing coverage and dedication to highlighting the people, products and places that drive our safety innovations and best practices, Amusement Today has been a valuable partner in keeping safety at the forefront of our industry’s dialogue. This collaboration ensures that operators, manufacturers and service providers stay informed, equipped and unified in their efforts to maintain a secure environment for all.

Looking ahead, I am excited for the upcoming 45th Annual WWA Show, taking place October 8-10, 2024, in Las Vegas. The show provides a vital opportunity for industry leaders to gather, share knowledge and further refine our collective approach to water park safety. It’s a reminder that when we come together as an industry, we not only advance safety but also pave the way for continued growth and success. I look forward to the meaningful discussions and collaboration that will undoubtedly emerge from this year’s event.

In the end, safety is what keeps our industry moving forward, ensuring that guests walk away with a smile and a plan to return.

Splashing into our youth

AT NOTEBOOK: John W.C. Robinson, jrobinson@amusementtoday.com

Whether we are five years old or 50, the water is our ultimate escape from the heat of the sun on a hot summer day.

Growing up, a sweaty day outside meant an excuse to find some water fun. Whether it was jumping in a pool, firing up a simple sprinkler to run through or just spraying the hose on our friends and family, water fun in the heat was the simplest fun and almost a summertime essential. It was wonderful when you found a friend who owned a pool, and the holy grail to discover one that actually had a simple water slide that would drop you into the deep end.

Well, fast-forward and we have turned our childhood loves of summertime water fun into an ever-widening, rapidly growing and wildly thrilling water park industry!

The garden hose has given way to the interactive play area. A backyard, inflatable wading pool has gone vertical in the water parks of today and added climbing structures and a giant splash bucket. The downhill speed of a Slip-N-Slide has evolved into a wild water coaster. And that simple water slide dropping into the deep end has been themed, illuminated and retooled into any number of thrilling combinations which dominate the skylines of these aquatic adventures.

Our beloved amusement industry continues to find innovative and imaginative ways to tap into those childhood delights and resurrect the simple, timeless fun of our youth.

As children, parents and grandparents ... when we visit water parks, we are all still kids in the backyard splashing into the delights of the cool water for fun. Through the splashtacular fun of water parks, we have found what Ponce de León never managed to: the elusive Fountain of Youth. And it's alive and well ... and still flowing!