Carowinds Celebrates Summer with New Ride Opening

© Carowinds

Just in time to celebrate the official first day of summer (and happy summer to you all!) Carowinds' Boomerang Bay water park has opened two new attractions, Dorsal Fin Drop and Surfer's Swell.

The pair of new water slides each offer a totally different experience, both starting from a platform four stories above the ground.  Surfer's Swell stretches 263 feet long and sends riders down a steep drop and into a giant wave wall, giving them a hint of zero gravity as they slide up and down.

© Carowinds

Dorsal Fin Drop, which features 351 of slide, is a traditional bowl style ride.  After a long curving drop that allows riders to pick up speed, the rafts enter a giant circular bowl and speed around the outside as they begin to slow.  A final drop into the splash area brings the ride to an end.

The first riders of the new slides were members of a swim lesson club, sponsored by Carowinds, held at the University City YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.  "When the slides were announced in September 2013 they didn’t know how to swim, and never could have imagined themselves swooshing down the exciting twists and curves of Carowinds new slides."

© Carowinds

The new slides are just a part of this year's expansion, which also includes a massive new food facility, Harmony Hall.  The indoor food court will feature live entertainment and will be opening soon.

“Cedar Fair noted the growth in Charlotte and across the Carolinas, and saw an opportunity to grow our park as well”  says Bart Kinzel Carowinds VP and General Manager adding “there are a lot of plans in the works to better serve our guests across all areas from infrastructure to new rides, it’s an exciting time.”

Sounds like some exciting plans are in the works for Carowinds, we can't wait to see what they have planned for the future of the park!