Sea World Orlando Announces Pipeline: The Surf Coaster for 2023

© Sea World Orlando

© Sea World Orlando

Sea World Orlando has announced Pipeline - The Surf Coaster as the world's first "surf coaster," manufactured by B&M and representing the realization of a new-age stand up roller coaster.  That was a mouthful indeed, but the design represents the first new 'type' of coaster from B&M in some time, which is a nice change of pace for them.  Hopefully Pipeline is a comfortable and a success and we will then see more of this new style of ride.

© Sea World Orlando

© Sea World Orlando

Pipeline will feature blue track and white supports - but we've all seen those arriving at the theme park for some time now.  As expected with standing trains, the ride will feature a 54 inch height requirement.  The coaster does not utilize a traditional lift hill, instead it starts with a launch over a small airtime hill that sends trains out at 60 miles per hour.  I don't expect air-time from that small hill, but it'll be a nice sensation nonetheless - especially with these new trains.  

© Sea World Orlando

© Sea World Orlando

And how about those trains, they're only two across and this is a B&M ride!  An important part of these new surf coaster trains is that while guests stand up the trains actually are able to give somewhat so riders can flex up and down with the forces of the ride.  Gone are the rigid bicycle like seats of old B&M stand up coasters - these flex under riders to provide more comfort.  You can see this flex in the ride animation at the bottom of the article.

© Sea World Orlando

Pipeline, after that initial launch, will head through a 110 foot tall turn, dive down and over a large hill, then pass through a simulated splash area on the edge of the theme park's central lake.  After that is a giant "wave curl" inversion - the only upside down moment of the coaster.  The rest of the 2,950 foot long track will feature a total of 5 moments of air-time and plenty of twists and turns.

 

Pipeline will be the park's 7th roller coaster, quite impressive for a Sea World park!  Below is the ride's animation, make sure to check out how the seats flex up and down in the video.