FlowRider (Dreamworld)

Last updated

FlowRider
FlowRider at Dreamworld.jpg
Dreamworld
Area Ocean Parade
Coordinates 27°51′55″S153°18′58.17″E / 27.86528°S 153.3161583°E / -27.86528; 153.3161583 Coordinates: 27°51′55″S153°18′58.17″E / 27.86528°S 153.3161583°E / -27.86528; 153.3161583
StatusClosed
Cost A$1,500,000
Soft opening date23 June 2006 (2006-06-23)
Opening date24 June 2006 (2006-06-24)
Closing date12 August 2020
Replaced Thunderbolt
General statistics
Attraction type FlowRider
Manufacturer Wave Loch
DesignerTom Lochtefeld
ModelFlowRider Double
Capacity16 riders per hour
Participants per group8
Duration30 / 60 minutes (bodyboard/stand-up)
Height restriction110 cm (3 ft 7 in)
Cost per session$10 / $20 (bodyboard / stand-up)
Pay-Per-Use Sign.png This is a pay-per-use attraction

FlowRider is a sheet wave FlowRider attraction at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. [1]

Contents

History

In early 2006 construction began for the FlowRider. It was constructed on part of the site of the former Thunderbolt roller coaster which was removed in 2004. [2] [3] On 23 June 2006, the attraction had its soft opening which was attended by the attraction's designer Tom Lochtefeld as well as several surfers, snowboarders, wakeboarders and skateboarders. [4] [5] [6] The next day, on 24 June 2006, the attraction officially opened to the public. [1] The original Thunderbolt station was converted into a merchandise shop, changing rooms and toilets. [2] It was later redeveloped to provide an internal gate through to WhiteWater World. [7] At the time of opening, it was Australia's first and only FlowRider. [8]

The FlowRider later formed part of the marketing initiative "Adrenalin Alley" which was launched in 2009. It incorporates the after-hours use of the FlowRider, AVPX and V8 Supercars RedLine. [9]

On 12 August 2020, Dreamworld announced that FlowRider along with the Big Red Car were permanently closed. Both rides were operational before the temporary closure of the park due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operations

Throughout most of the day at Dreamworld, the FlowRider operates in bodyboard mode. Groups of 8 riders share a 30-minute session on the FlowRider (The wave used to be split in two to allow for 2 riders at a time). There are also separate stand up sessions that run for an hour designed for those who want to use the full FlowRider on a stand-up flowboard.

On selected Friday nights after the park closes, Dreamworld also operates the NightRider. Similar to the stand-up sessions during the day, these sessions run for an hour each and are designed for those who want to use the full FlowRider on a stand-up flowboard. [8] [10]

Current session times are as follows

11:00am – 5:00pm (7 days) - stand up sessions are currently unavailable (as at 8 May 2019) [11]

Competitions

The FlowRider at Dreamworld has also played host to a variety of local, national and international competitions including:

See also

Related Research Articles

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<i>Storm Coaster</i>

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References

  1. 1 2 "FlowRider (Dreamworld)". Parkz. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  2. 1 2 Wilson, Richard (23 June 2006). "FlowRider (Dreamworld)". Photo. Parkz. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  3. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Thunderbolt  (Dreamworld)". Roller Coaster DataBase . Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  4. ↑ Meers, Daniel (24 June 2006). "Coast goes with the flow". Gold Coast Bulletin.
  5. ↑ Wilson, Richard (23 June 2006). "FlowRider (Dreamworld)". Photo. Parkz. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  6. ↑ Wilson, Richard (23 June 2006). "FlowRider (Dreamworld)". Photos. Parkz. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  7. ↑ Hollibone, Paul. "FlowRider (Dreamworld)". Photo. Parkz. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  8. 1 2 "Dreamworld is home to Australia's first and only FlowRider". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  9. ↑ "Adrenalin Alley". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 4 March 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "Book Your Spot". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 4 April 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "FlowRider Bookings". Dreamworld. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  12. ↑ "Screamworld 09th February 2007". Archived copy of press release. Parkz. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Jake leaves them in his wake". Courier Mail. 18 February 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  14. ↑ Westthorp, Tanya (4 August 2010). "Gold Coast centre of flow-boarding". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  15. ↑ Tuttiett, Henry (28 January 2011). "Dreamworld hosts flowboarding contest". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  16. ↑ "Dreamworld Hosts Australia's First International FlowRiding Competition". Dreamworld. September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
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