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Tsunami Surge

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Coordinates: 42°22′07″N 87°56′12″W / 42.3686°N 87.9367°W / 42.3686; -87.9367
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Tsunami Surge
The total layout of the attraction
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago
AreaRiptide Bay
Coordinates42°22′07″N 87°56′12″W / 42.3686°N 87.9367°W / 42.3686; -87.9367
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateMay 27, 2021
Opening dateMay 29, 2021
General statistics
TypeWater coaster
ManufacturerWhiteWater West
ModelMaster Blaster
Height86 ft (26 m)
Length950 ft (290 m)
Speed28 mph (45 km/h)
Capacity320 riders per hour
Duration1:08
BoatsSeveral boats. Riders are arranged 1 across in 2 rows for a total of 2 riders per boat.
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)

Tsunami Surge is a water coaster located in Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago, in the Riptide Bay area that opened on May 29, 2021. Manufactured by WhiteWater West, the water coaster claims the title of the tallest water coaster in the world at 86 feet (26 m), even if there are higher water coasters such us the italian Divertical at 60 metres (200 ft). Announced in 2019, the water coaster suffered a delay following the effects of the park's closure and construction delays relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

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On August 29, 2019, Six Flags Great America announced Tsunami Surge, in which the park claims as the tallest water coaster in the world. The attraction would be located across from Maxx Force, utilizing the former Pictorium site.[1][2] As the 25th attraction at the water park, Tsunami Surge would utilize "AquaLucent" effects.[3]

The construction site of Tsunami Surge in 2020.

More plans were announced at the American Coaster Enthusiasts' No Coaster Con event on January 18, 2020, in which the park announced that groundbreaking was in early-January, and had released the renderings for the attraction.[4][5] Later in March of that year, the park had temporarily paused construction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7]

After the announcement that Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago would be separate from Six Flags Great America, the park confirmed that Tsunami Surge would be opening for the 2021 season.[8] Soft opening for the attraction began on May 27, 2021, for the media, and the attraction's grand opening was on May 29, 2021.[9][10]

Ride description

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The ride starts 86 feet (26 m) above, and drops into the ride's first uphill blast, and turns left into its second uphill blasts. After the second blast, the ride turns into a helix before its turn into the final uphill blast. After two turns, the ride has two pre-drops, before dropping into a splashdown section.

In total, the water coaster features five turns, five drops and three uphill blasts. The attraction utilizes "AquaLucent" effects during each turn, which create "bursts of colors" and "dreamlike patterns" during the turns.[11]

Awards

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Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago, WhiteWater West and Ramaker won an award for the Leading Edge Award in August 2021 by the World Waterpark Association for their work on the attraction.[12][13] Additionally, the next month, the ride placed third place in Best New Water Slide on Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.[14]

Preceded by World's Tallest Water Coaster
May 29, 2021 – Present 		Current holder

References

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  1. ^ "Case Study: World's Tallest Water Coaster, Tsunami Surge". WhiteWater. July 28, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  2. ^ Stilwell, Andrew (August 29, 2019). "Tsunami Surge, World's Tallest Water Coaster, Arriving at Six Flags Great America in 2020". Coaster101. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  3. ^ "Tsunami Surge: Six Flags Great America plans new 86-foot-tall water ride in Gurnee". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "Coastin' the Country Ep. 15: Six Flags Great America Tsunami Surge update and more". WGN-TV. January 24, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Marcus LeShock of WGN-TV [@marcusleshock] (January 18, 2020). "Construction began on Tsunami Surge a few weeks ago..." (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2022 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Knowles, Becci (February 12, 2021). "World's tallest water coaster to debut at Six Flags Great America". Park World Online - Theme Park, Amusement Park and Attractions Industry News. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  7. ^ "Six Flags Great America announces delayed opening for 2020 season". FOX 6 Now Milwaukee. March 30, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "They're back! Six Flags Great America opens April 24 and Hurricane Harbor opens May 29". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "'World's tallest water coaster' to debut Saturday at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  10. ^ "Six Flags Hurricane Harbor reopens in Gurnee this weekend". ABC7 Chicago. May 27, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Mitchell, Bea (June 2, 2021). "Tsunami Surge water coaster now open at Hurricane Harbor Chicago". Blooloop. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  12. ^ Coates, Charlotte (October 27, 2021). "WhiteWater recognised with three WWA Leading Edge Awards". Blooloop. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  13. ^ Whittaker, Adam (November 4, 2021). "WWA Show returns to form with trade show and awards". Blooloop. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  14. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards 2021". Amusement Today. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
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