Loggers Leap

Loggers Leap (also referred to as Logger's Leap) is a log flume ride in Thorpe Park, UK. It it is the tallest log flume ride in the UK when it opened, and although the park does not advertise the fact, it regained that record in 2005 with the removal of "Nightmare Niagara" from the now-defunct American Adventure theme park near Derby. The ride has been standing but not operating since the end of the 2015 season.

History

Logger's Leap, opened in 1989, was manufactured by Mack and was the first major attraction in the Canada Creek corner of the park (now renamed 'Old Town'). The ride is themed around logging in the Canadian countryside and had a soundtrack of country and western music including 5,6,7,8 by Steps, Cotton-Eyed Joe by Rednex, Southern Nights by Glen Campbell and 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton which plays outside the ride, in the outside queueing area and in the ride station itself.

The ride was well known for being featured in photographs of the Royal family with Princess Diana in 1993. A dedication plaque was erected next to the attraction following her death.

Logger's Leap riders also hear a range of messages recorded by an enthusiastic announcer, including one declaring Logger's Leap to be "the wildest ride in the wilderness", a feature which was added in 2004.

Thorpe Park confirmed via social media that Loggers Leap would not open for the 2016 season, stating that it was under redevelopment. The ride did not reopen for the 2017 season either, with no visible works having taken place other than the grass outside the station being cut in early April 2017. A ride development, beginning in the park in 2019 and rumoured to be the most expensive ride constructed in the UK to date. As of August 2017, flowers, logs and a Loggers Leap boat can be seen outside the station.

Ride experience

Riders queue up in one of five queues at the front of the station, four for ordinary guests and one for Fastrack guests who have paid extra. Each Logger's Leap boat holds up to five people - two in the front and three in the back - meaning during busy periods small groups may be asked by a ride attendant to share boats to speed up the queue. Boats do not stop in the station unless there is an emergency and guests must take their belongings with them, apart from cuddly toys won in the park or photographs from other rides.

Once the boat has left the station it drops down a small hill and turns around a sharp right corner before making its way into a dark tunnel. The boat then rises up a hill before descending the first drop in complete darkness. The boat exits the tunnel at the back of the park amongst woodland, where it crosses the main lake and makes its way to the second life hill. This hill, the biggest of the ride, features a steep drop with a double dip. The boat descends the drop into a splashdown, then meanders back to the station. Once in the station, guests are helped out of their boat by an attendant and leave through the photo shop.

In 2013, the tunnel enclosing the first lift hill and drop was removed due to poor structural maintenance over time.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Loggers Leap.

• Loggers Leap at Total Thorpe Park
• Loggers Leap at Thorpe Park Insider
• Loggers Leap at Theme Park Junkies
• Loggers Leap at ThemeParks-UK