Splash Canyon lies underneath Shockwave and was built as part of a two year spending strategy. She was installed in 2003, but re-themed a year later when Shockwave was installed. Although a family ride, it attempts to bring to the masses the extreme sport of white water rafting. The concept was dreamt up in the eighties, but today is more popular than ever. While schemes such as 'red letter days' allow every bumbling chuckle brother amongst the public to try the real thing, Splash Canyon tries to do so to, but without the £200 price tag.
The queue is a little tucked away along what was originally the start of a nature trail. It moves fairly quickly, although in summer may become quite lengthy. Being positive the queue affords spectacular views of Shockwave and towards the end a bridge stradles the station. It is, however, a little unclear why we are venturing on this expedtion, so we will assume it is for the reason most people go rafting, simple fun.
As with most Intiman rapids the station is formed by a rotating platform which the rafts circumnavigate. The tires are locked onto the platform meaning you don't have to worry about leaping into a moving boat. The boats themselves take a stock format with seats facing the centre where there is a wheel for riders to hold onto.
HIT THE RAPIDS
The boats peel away from the turntable before entering the rapids, which take us round to 'Splash Canyon Pumping Station'. We continue through a tunnel where unfortunate riders may be caught by an elusive wave hiding in the dark, before drifting into the open and under a dodgy bucket that trickles water down onto the riders. Nearing the end of our adventure we pass some bilious red Wild West shacks (smile as this is where the 'on ride photo' lurks) before drifting under the entrance/exit bridge. Gradually the trough we have been drifting down has been wending its way down hill, so a lift hill will now take boasts back up to the unloading bay.
Overall the ride is a reasonable length and fairly enjoyable. Having never been white water rafting through a Wild West canyon I am not in a position to comment upon how authentic the experience is, however the nature of the boats mean that it is a communal experience that is best when ridden with friends or family etc. The rapids can be fairly unpredictable, yet it is a rare feat to come of as wet as Storm Force 10 soaks her riders. The tunnel is an obvious highlight and most of the typical rapid ride conventions are evident, although it does lack the waterfalls that can be one of the main features.
| CF / MM / DMP Plus / |
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