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WhiteWater has celebrated the year in style, showcasing a series of aquatic attractions worldwide alongside its latest product innovations and company initiatives
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Oct 2024
O2 Surftown was supplied by whiteWater and features a lagoon with customisable waves Credit: O2 Surftown MUC
WhiteWater has celebrated the year in style, showcasing a series of aquatic attractions worldwide alongside its latest product innovations at the recent IAAPA Expo Europe.
Among its new projects, WhiteWater has highlighted innovations in the cruise industry, with projects including an Adventure Trail for the 2025 MSC World America ship. WhiteWater is also working with Royal Caribbean Cruises for the 24th time, collaborating on the Star of the Seas, which will feature a FlowRider Double when it launches, also in 2025.
WhiteWater also has an eye on Saudi Arabia, where it is expanding into the nation’s rapidly growing cruise market. The company has partnered with Aroya Cruises, with WhiteWater set to deliver the first AquaForms 5 play structure to a cruise ship, along with a splash pad featuring Life Floor and AquaSplash spray toys on the Aroya Manara.
Meanwhile, WhiteWater is also working on new attractions in Croatia at Amadaria Park, including the Whizzard and Constrictor + Rattler Fusion water slides, with additional indoor amenities. The attractions are set to open by the end of 2024. Further significant developments in the region from WhiteWater include Regnum Carya waterpark in Turkey, which is scheduled to open in spring 2025.
In the UAE, the Grand Hyatt Dubai resort waterpark’s Q2 2025 opening will feature 15 new WhiteWater attractions across 20,000sq m (215,000sq ft), with the major expansion aimed at boosting guest engagement and occupancy.
WhiteWater also continues to place its stamp on the surf market, including at Grand Hyatt Dubai, where it will debut the Middle East’s first ever FlowRider Triple. Featuring a 12m (40ft) surface able to accommodate up to three riders simultaneously, the water ride offers a capacity of 360 to 720 rides per hour.
FlowRider is also coming to Saudi Arabia in its own standalone venue, with operator Seven announcing an exclusive licensing agreement to bring the Flow House brand to the kingdom. Combining food, beverage, and surfing entertainment, three Flow House venues are currently under construction in Riyadh, Al Khobar, and Jeddah.
In Germany, WhiteWater has opened one of the world’s biggest surf projects, with O2 Surftown MUC centred around the world’s first Endless Surf lagoon. Opened in August, the venue features a lagoon with customisable waves using advanced pneumatic hardware and proprietary software.
Also in Europe, notable WhiteWater additions in 2024 include projects such as Fårup Sommerland in Denmark and Aquascope in France. At Fårup Sommerland, the company celebrated a milestone by installing Denmark’s tallest water slides, including a Tailspin + Boomerango Fusion and Parallel Pursuit. For younger guests, the park also introduced a Mini Boomerango slide, alongside several other kid-friendly attractions. Meanwhile, at Aquascope three new kids’ water slides opened to the public alongside a splash pad featuring AquaSplash and AquaSpray toys.
Arguably the most significant new waterpark project in the world right now is Aquarabia Qiddiya City. A record-breaking attraction, WhiteWater is set to design and deliver all 22 rides and attractions for the project. The first play structure of its kind in the world, one of the flagship attractions at the waterpark will be FusionFortress 18, which boasts 181 interactive play features, 11 water slides, two tipping buckets, and a water geyser spraying nearly 30m (100ft) into the air
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do,” said Rainer Maelzer, president of WhiteWater ERA GmbH. “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.”
In addition to its many projects across the world, WhiteWater has also announced the continuation of its IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) scholarship for 2024 in collaboration with the IAAPA Foundation. The scholarship, launched in 2023, aims to support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds by providing financial assistance and educational access, effectively bridging the opportunity gap. The scholarship funds attendance at the IAAPA Institute - a week-long program tailored for senior leaders in the global attractions industry. This initiative not only nurtures hidden talent but also empowers future leaders by reducing financial constraints and systemic barriers.
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Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo Europe 2024
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