New Wave Rides

New Wave Rides
Private
Industry Manufacturing
Founded 1984
Founder Bill Crandall
Headquarters Grapevine, Texas, USA
Area served
Worldwide
Products Water slides

New Wave Rides was an American manufacturer of water rides. They manufactured water slides and water slide complexes.

History

From 1975 - 1981, Bill Crandall was the general manager of AstroWorld. In 1979, Crandall partnered with Intamin AG to create the first river rapids ride, Thunder River. After the ride's debut season, 1980, was complete, Crandall decided to start his own consulting business, Crandall & Associates. In January 1984, his company had been contracted to supervise Frontier City amusement park. They developed a water slide attraction called Riptide, which was installed in the park in the fall of 1984. In November 1984, Crandall & Associates founded New Wave Rides, with Riptide as its debut attraction.[1] The company sold its second ride, called Thunder Falls, to Frontier City, which opened in 1985.

Partial List of Attractions

Operating

Name Location Season opened Season closed Type Ref(s)
Riptide Frontier City 1984 1997 Water slide
Six Flags America 1998 Operating

Closed

Name Location Season opened Season closed Type Ref(s)
Thunder Falls Frontier City 1985 Unknown Water slide [2]
Riptide Fun 'N Wheels 1985 1988 Water slide [3]
Racing Rivers - Riptide Kings Dominion 1987 1996 Water slide [4]
Frontier Chute-Out Hersheypark 1988 1998 Slide complex [5][6]
The Python Plunge Worlds of Fun 1988 1999 Slide complex [7][8]
Wild River Falls Riverside Amusement Park 1989 1996 Slide complex
Torpedo Rapids Darien Lake 1990 1998 Water slide
Racing Rivers Six Flags AstroWorld 1991 Unknown Water slide [9]
The African Tower Six Flags Great Adventure 1991 1998 Slide complex [10]
The Asian Tower
The North American Tower
Adventure Rivers of Texas Six Flags AstroWorld 1992 2005 River raft ride

References

  1. Kirdavis (May 15, 1985). "New Wave Rides Ready to Market 'Thunderfalls'". The Journal Record (Oklahoma City). Retrieved January 24, 2015 via Questia. (subscription required (help)).
  2. Triplett, Gene (July 14, 1985). "Frontier City Changes for the Better". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  3. Lamanna, Dean (July 2013). "Fun Spot Attractions is a happy medium for owner John Arie, Sr." (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  4. "Racing Rivers". Cedar Fair. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  5. "Hersheypark opens with special entertainment". Altoona Mirror. May 8, 1988.
  6. Fox, Larry (May 27, 1988). "Hershey's More Than Chocolate". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 7, 2015 via HighBeam Research. (subscription required (help)). Hersheypark is constructing another water ride, a Frontier Chute-Out Ride in which riders will race down 100-yard-long straight or curving chutes on small two-person rubber rafts. This ride is expected to open in mid-June.
  7. "Worlds of Fun adds 'Python Plunge'". The Constitution-Tribune (Chillicothe, MO). April 4, 1988. p. 4.
  8. "The Plunge". Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  9. O'Brien, Tim (November 25, 1991). "AstroWrold's new slide attraction opens in spring.". Amusement Business via HighBeam. (subscription required (help)).
  10. "Adventure Rivers at Six Flags Great Adventure". Retrieved January 24, 2015.