Wave swinger

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The Wave Swinger premiered in Germany in 1972 as a park model designed by Zierer and built by Franz Schwartzkopf. In 1974 the first portable Wellenflug (as it is known in its home country of Germany) debuted under the same partnership. Since this time there have been over 150 units exported worldwide by Zierer who later went on to be the Waveswinger’s sole manufacturer.

As the name suggests, the ride moves in an oscillating, wavelike motion as the top rises telescopically, tilting at its peak, flinging riders of young and old into the cool breeze at 30km/h (10 rpm). The rotating top is raised via 4 sets of cables linked to a hydraulic ram inside the central column. The ram then retracts, pulling the cables that lift the centre ring (and attached carousel) upwards; eventually tilting over a curve in top of the central pole, which rotates in the opposite direction to create the ride’s oscillating motion. (this moving centre-pole remains hidden under the fibreglass panelling)

The Waveswinger’s popularity continues into the 21st century with Zierer offering five different sized units for 24, 32, 40, 48 and 64 persons, all elegantly decorated with the hand-painted Bavarian/Baroque scenery that riders and owners have come to love.

Due to the appealing nature of chair-swing rides, various other manufacturers offer their own versions including, Barbieri, Zamperla, Vekoma, Meisho; and primarily for the North American market – Watkins Swinger and Chance’s YoYo with greater single trailer portability.

Unlike their forebearers commonly known as Chair-O-Planes which only swung it's passengers around, Wave Swingers tilt sending it's passengers around through waves, which in turn also revolve counter-clockwise, because of it's unique design, ensuring the underside of the canopy is exposed during each ride in all directions.