New Roller Coaster - Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster - New at SeaWorld San Antonio in 2017

A brand new roller coaster, the first of its kind in North America, will open at SeaWorld San Antonio next summer.  Named Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster, the ride will be the first in the SeaWorld family to be themed around the company's animal rescue efforts.  Described as "combining the thrill of the sea with the adrenaline rush of a roller coaster," the new coaster will let riders "feel what it's like to race alongside SeaWorld's heroic animal care team and veterinarians as they spring into action at a moment's notice to help rescue animals in distress."

 “The new coaster promises a ride of a lifetime that’s also unique to SeaWorld’s mission,” said SeaWorld San Antonio Park President Carl Lum.  “Replicating an adventure limited to only a few trained professionals, Wave Breaker will launch riders into an exhilarating experience similar to going on an animal rescue mission.  The coaster is sure to thrill, but also brings awareness to the brave efforts of our animal teams as they join forces with organizations around the world to help ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned animals.”

© SeaWorld San Antonio

The roller coaster is inspired by how jet skis glide across the water at high speeds, and will utilize a design by Intamin using fully themed cars - the first time they are being employed in North America.  Intamin previously created Jet Rescue for Sea World in Australia (unrelated to SeaWorld San Antonio) which gives a good idea of how the new ride may look.  Riders will be in a "straddled seating" position that is depicted in the concept art above.

Wave Breaker:  The Rescue Coaster will utilize two different electromagnetic launches to send the trains moving at a maximum speed of 44 miles per hour.  The track will extend 2,600 feet long and hit a maximum height of 61 feet above the ground.  The trains will have eight coaches each seating two riders for a total of 16 riders per cycle, with a theoretical hourly capacity of 886 riders.  Best of all, the ride comes with a low 48 inch height requirement so many members of the family can ride.

The loading area and queue for the ride will be across from the Penguin Plaza.  Once the trains depart the station most of the ride will take place over the park's central lagoon, adding to the theme of the coaster.  The above video has some flashes of ride animation in it, along with a quick look at half the layout - but it seems the park will just leave the full ride track as a tease for now.

The park promises more updates via their social media soon, but for now check out the Wave Breaker website for more.