SeaWorld San Antonio Opens Wave Breaker - New Rescue Themed Launch Coaster

This weekend marks the grand opening of the highly anticipated Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster at SeaWorld San Antonio.  The double-launch thrill coaster is inspired by the heroics of the SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team, carrying a theme of riders boarding jet skis to blast off on a rescue mission.

The coaster's jet ski inspired trains are the first of their kind to open in North America, according to SeaWorld San Antonio.

© SeaWorld San Antonio

"Wave Breaker is an exciting and novel coaster for families to ride together, and adds to SeaWorld's strong lineup of top-rated coasters," said SeaWorld San Antonio Park President Carl Lum. "But what truly delights me is that this attraction best represents what SeaWorld is all about – it brings together the best of SeaWorld in one thrilling ride, and carries a message that leaves guests feeling inspired." 

© SeaWorld San Antonio

The new coaster is positioned so that the vast majority of its track is totally over the theme park's central lagoon.  It features many low to the ground maneuvers that simulate skimming across the surface of the water.  Each train is assigned its own rescue mission, either a sea turtle, dolphin or sea lion during a pre-launch briefing.  The station and queue celebrate some of the 30,000 animal rescues that the SeaWorld team has completed over the past 50 years.

© SeaWorld San Antonio

This aerial shot of Wave Breaker shows the entire layout, which includes a quick trip to an island in the middle of the lagoon.

"Wave Breaker provides a coaster experience unlike anything in the current theme park landscape," said SeaWorld Vice President of Theme Park Development Mike Denninger. "While other coasters feature dramatic changes in speed, once you hit Wave Breaker's first launch you are moving fast throughout the entire ride. When you combine that consistent high speed with the banked and serpentine turns throughout the ride track that is 90 percent over the surface of the water, you get an unparalleled ride experience."

Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster features two separate tire-driven launches, reaching speeds of up to 44 miles per hour.  Created by Intamin, the coaster stands 61 feet tall and has 2,600 feet of track.

Ready to head out on a rescue mission?  If so, check out the video below, from The Coaster Crew.