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WhiteWater | press conference at IAAPA Expo Europe
WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer, has marked the beginning of IAAPA Expo Europe 2024 with a press conference showcasing its newest product advancements and award-winning projects to industry media and peers.
Rainer Maelzer, president of WhiteWater ERA GmbH, says: “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. As we continue to grow globally, we are committed to working closely with our clients to create unique, immersive experiences that drive guest satisfaction and operational success.”
Rainer and the WhiteWater team are committed to working closely with clients to fulfil their vision and meet their guests’ evolving needs. This is reflected by the firm’s latest brand campaign, Together the future of attractions is ours to create, which has launched at IAAPA Expo Europe.
See also: Top events, education sessions & exhibitors at IAAPA Expo Europe 2024
The press conference on Tuesday afternoon opened with the announcement of the continuation of WhiteWater’s IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) scholarship in 2024, in partnership with the IAAPA Foundation.
The initiative, which started last year, aims to support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds by offering financial aid and access to education, bridging the opportunity gap. The scholarship covers attendance at the IAAPA Institute, a week-long programme designed for senior leaders in the international attractions sector. This scheme nurtures hidden talents and empowers future leaders by minimising monetary limitations and systemic barriers.
Cruise industry projects
WhiteWater also revealed numerous new projects at the press conference, beginning with partnerships that demonstrate its continued leadership in cruise industry innovation.
These include its 24th partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises, a FlowRider Double on the Star of the Seas, and an Adventure Trail for the MSC World America ship. Both are slated to launch in 2025.
The firm is extending its presence in the Saudi Arabian cruise industry by teaming up with AROYA Cruises to offer the first AquaForms 5 play structure on a cruise ship, as well as a splash pad with Life Floor and AquaSplash toys aboard the Aroya Manara. This addition enhances the cruise experience, notably for young guests and families.
The event also highlighted WhiteWater’s 2024 research with Hotel & Leisure Advisors, which emphasises the long-term financial benefits of aquatic amenities.
Significant recent resort projects include Amadria Park in Croatia, which has added new attractions including the Whizzard and Constrictor + Rattler Fusion water slides, and plans to open additional indoor amenities before the year-end. The Regnum Carya water park in Turkey is set to launch in Spring 2025, while the Grand Hyatt Dubai resort’s water park will open in Q2 2025 with 15 new attractions over 20,000 square meters to increase guest engagement and occupancy.
Growing demand for surf venues
With more than 25 million surfers worldwide to date, the sport is expanding and becoming integrated into a range of venues. Grand Hyatt Dubai’s plans include the first FlowRider Triple in the Middle East. This has a 12-meter (40-foot) surface that allows for three riders at once and can accommodate 360–720 rides per hour.
In the standalone venue space, FlowRider Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with SEVEN to introduce the Flow House brand to Saudi Arabia. Three Flow House venues, offering food, beverages, and surfing entertainment, are under construction in the Kingdom with locations in Riyadh, Al Khobar, and Jeddah.
Over 14,000 people attended the launch of O2 SURFTOWN MUC, Germany’s first inland surf park, which took place in August 2024. This innovative location is also the first in the world to offer Endless Surf technology, which includes a 34-caisson lagoon. This uses cutting-edge pneumatic hardware and exclusive software to create customised waves.
Paul Chutter, president of Endless Surf, says: “This moment is a testament to the dedication of the teams involved and a significant achievement for inland surf, providing operators unparalleled flexibility and control of wave types with our technology. After years of hard work and innovation, we’re thrilled to see world-class waves in Munich for all to enjoy.”
International portfolio
In 2024, WhiteWater’s projects with Fårup Sommerland in Denmark and Aquascope in France, have made significant contributions to the European water park industry.
In a landmark project, the firm installed Denmark’s tallest water slides, including a Tailspin + Boomerango Fusion and Parallel Pursuit, at Fårup Sommerland. This project is the latest in the firm’s 14-year partnership with the park, which now offers Mini Boomerango and other child-friendly attractions to provide a fun experience for all ages.
Aquascope in France now features three new children’s water slides and a splash pad with AquaSplash and AquaSpray toys, enhancing the park’s reputation as a popular destination for families and children.
In the Middle East, WhiteWater has partnered with Aquarabia in Qiddiya City to create 22 thrilling rides and attractions, including five record-breaking rides. FusionFortress 18 is a signature attraction, and features ground-level interactives that allow kids with limited mobility to interact with toys, spray their siblings with jets, turn wheels to set off various reactions on the structure, and share fun with family and friends.
FusionFortress 18 is the world’s largest play structure, with 181 interactive play components, 11 water slides, two tipping buckets, and a water geyser that sprays approximately 30 meters (100 feet) in the air. As one of the Qiddiya City development’s many attractions, Aquarabia will provide guests with memorable entertainment experiences built around play.
The development is the subject of the most recent instalment of Falcon’s Play Creators video series, which was showcased at the press conference.
Heightening the excitement surrounding Aquarabia’s debut, the video features interviews with Mike Rigby, general manager and regional vice president of the Middle East and India, and Kenneth Campbell, senior installation advisor and team development specialist, to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the development of this distinctive water theme park.
The video, which includes construction footage, demonstrates the ambition of the project and the team’s commitment to creating amazing experiences.
Recently, WhiteWater worked with Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park and the architecture firm Ramaker on the Rise of Icarus, a new attraction featuring the tallest water slide in America. The 160-foot tall slide tower includes a Freefall, four AquaTubes, and vibrant colours that provide an exciting retelling of the story of Icarus.
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