Monday 30 June 2014
A water slide is a type of slide designed for warm-weather or indoor recreational use at water parks. Water slides differ in their riding method and therefore size. Some slides require riders to sit directly on the slide, or on a raft or tube designed to be used with the slide. A typical water slide uses a pump system to pump water to the top which is then allowed to freely flow down its surface. The water reduces friction so sliders travel down the slide very quickly. Water slides run into a swimming pool (often called a plunge pool) or a long run-out chute. A lifeguard is usually stationed at the top and the bottom of the slide, so that if a rider gets hurt they will be treated immediately. The world's longest water slide was a temporary installation in Waimauku, New Zealand, in February 2013. Constructed with a length of 650 m, of which 550 m functioned properly. Its creators claimed the previous record holder had a length of ~350m. The "Waterslide" at Buena Vista Lodge in Costa Rica is a 400 m long water slide where the rider sits directly on the slide, with an inner-tube around their upper body for safety. Source
