Power Surge (ride)

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Travelling Power Surge, in operation
Travelling Power Surge, in operation

Power Surge is a high-impact thrill ride designed by Italian ride manufacturer Zamperla. The Power Surge was first operated in 1999, and is produced in both trailer-mounted and park versions. Zamperla recommends that riders be 48 inches or taller; however, 52 inches is more common.

[edit] Design and operation

A Power Surge in the racked or transportable position
A Power Surge in the racked or transportable position

Six fixed arms are connected in an asterisk pattern, with two sets of two seats attached at right angles to the arms. The arm assembly is connected to a main arm. Twenty-four riders at a time can be loaded onto the ride. Riders are restrained by an over-the-shoulder harness, with their legs dangling free.

When the ride is activated, multiple movements occur. The arm assembly rotates, the main arm is raised from the stationay position to an angle of approximately seventy degrees from the horizontal. Once this height is reached, the main arm is capable of rotating, with the combined rotations of both sections causing the seat sets to swing and rotate around the point of attachment. The rotating components can move in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, and the different movements can be activated in isolation of each other.

The trailer version of the ride fits onto a standard road trailer, and can be assembled or racked in approximately 2 hours by two people.

[edit] Appearances

  • Australia - At least two; a park model at Adventure World, and a trailer model operated by Better Amusement Hire.
  • New Zealand - At least one; a park model at Rainbow's End.
  • United States of America - At least three; at Knoebels, Beech Bend Park, and Astroland
  • Indonesia - At least one; a park model (renamed as Kicir-kicir - meaning windmill in Indonesian) at Dunia Fanatasi Ancol
  • The Bahamas - The Holiday Carnival hosts this ride.
  • Colombia - At least one; at Mundo Aventura,(renamed Ikaro)

[edit] References

Zamperla Rides - Power Surge. Retrieved on 2007-01-26.