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 Wave Swinger’s sole manufacturer.
The Wave Swinger’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.
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[edit] Ride action
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)
This is similar to the action of other swing rides, called variously, Chair-O-Planes, Swing Carousels, or flying swings.
Unlike their forebearers which only swung its passengers around, Wave Swingers tilt sending its passengers around through waves, which in turn also revolve counter-clockwise, because of its unique design, ensuring the underside of the canopy is exposed during each ride in all directions.
[edit] Other manufacturers
Due to the appealing nature of chair-swing rides, various other manufacturers offer their own versions including, Bertazzon, Barbieri, Zamperla, Vekoma, Meisho; and primarily for the North American market – Watkins Swinger and Chance’s Yo-Yo with greater single trailer portability.
[edit] In North America
Some Wave Swingers are located at:
- Gotham City Crime Wave - Six Flags Over Georgia (Zierer).
- HalloSwings - Holiday World (Zamperla).
- Lasso - Darien Lake Theme Park Resort (Zierer).
- Orange Stinger - Disney's California Adventure, (Zierer).
- Swing Carousel - Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Bertazzon)
- Swing Carousel - Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri (Bertazzon)
- Swing of the Century - Galaxyland, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Turn of the Century - Elitch Gardens (Zierer).
- Tidal Wave - Alabama Adventure (Zierer).
- Turn of the Century - Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington, Utah (Zierer)
- Wave Swinger - Cedar Point (Zierer).
- Wave Swinger - Hershey Park, Pennsylvania (Zierer).
- Wave Swinger - Palais Crystal Palace, Dieppe, NB Canada (Zierer).
- Wave Swinger - Strates Shows (Zierer).
- Wave Swinger - Playland, Vancouver, BC Canada\
- Bavarian Wave Swinger - Kennywood Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Whirligig - Six Flags Great America (Zierer).
