Skycoaster Takes Off at Wet'n'Wild!

Gold Coast waterpark Wet'n'Wild Water World has launched its latest attraction, Skycoaster, just in time for the Easter long weekend.

Rising more than 53 metres above the waterpark's Giant Wave Pool, the attraction has been visible to drivers on the Pacific Motorway for several months.

Today, Gold Coast Blaze players Chris Goulding and Shaun Gleeson became the first guests to experience the ride.

Riders on the Skycoaster first strap themselves into a harness which, attached to a massive cable, is then winched to the top of the 53 metre high tower. Guests then need the courage to pull their own ripcord before plummeting face first towards the ground at a speed of up to 100 kilometres per hour and plummeting face first towards the Giant Wave Pool.

The Skycoaster was installed by the US-based Ride Entertainment Group.

Speaking about the project Ride Entertainment Group Director Mike Gutknecht explained "this has been a great project for us.

"It was very challenging because we had to engineer a ride that met the region's wind loads, which allow structures to withstand typhoon-force winds. However, our engineering team designed a guy wire system that met their wind requirements and it worked perfectly.

"The placement of a Skycoaster is critical and this park really has one of the most visually-engaging locations I have seen."

Village Roadshow Theme Parks General Manager Bob White added Theme Parks added "the Skycoaster (is) a fantastic addition to Wet'n'Wild Water World.

"We chose this attraction as it not only offered a unique experience for our guests, but it suited the 'fun and thrill' theming of our water park environment perfectly."

The Skycoaster at Wet'n'Wild Water World must be booked by park guests at a cost of $15.

For more information go to www.rideentertainment.com