Charlotte whitewater park

Charlotte to truly understand what it has to offer," said Scott Martin, director of the county's department of commerce and leisure services. "We basically will have the same thing in here, only on a smaller scale. And we won't have the expense of building, from scratch, a whitewater park out of concrete and rocks."

Representatives from the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, county recreation commission, Franklin County Veterans' Memorial Park, two engineering firms, the Creek Freak paddlers club and others spent the day Tuesday touring the $38 million whitewater park in Charlotte.

When phases one and two of the proposed park along the Pigg River are completed the cost has been placed at $3 million. This total does not include more than $500,000 in federal money that will be spent on removing the old Rocky Mount power dam.

Martin, who organized and headed the trip, said, "I wanted these key people to see the whole element of our water park plans at one site (in Charlotte). This not only includes the in-stream (whitewater) feature but the hiking, rock climbing, biking, walking, mountain biking and concert venue," he said.

Also included in the local plans are a building that will offer canoe and kayak rentals, a small restaurant, climbing wall and space for the headquarters for the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation.

Charlotte has a restaurant, gift shop, buildings for raft and kayak rentals, along with locker rooms for changing.

Walking trails, an amphitheater and other outdoor recreation features also are included in the proposed local water park.

Along those lines, it was noted that the Charlotte park stages a jam session every Thursday night, "which is growing weekly," a spokesperson said.

Martin said a "huge plus" the Pigg River has over the Charlotte facility is the fishing opportunities.

After the power dam is removed, it will allow not only the endangered Roanoke Logperch to go up and down the river, but will open up the river for trout, which are stocked on a regular basis, he noted.

Martin said another difference in the "in-stream" features is that the Charlotte facility's water supply is provided by seven available pumps recirculating the water used in the three whitewater courses (Only six pumps are used in the day-to-day operation).

"The PiggﾠRiver will be flowing through the in-stream boulders and rocks filled with concrete. There will be no pumps involved in our park," Martin said.

The Pigg River park also will have the distinction of being the first in-stream whitewater park in Virginia. The Charlotte facility is billed as the world's largest man-made whitewater river.

The three in-stream structures in front of the low head dam at veterans park on Scuffling Hill Road should be in place by the end of the year or early next year, according to Martin.

Those three are being added at veterans park to eliminate a dangerous hydraulic in front of the dam. It becomes more of a hazard when the water level is up.

Scott Shipley, a former U.S. Olympic kayaker, was one of the designers of the Charlotte park. His company has designed 40-50 natural flowing river water parks across the country and is the designer of the Pigg River park, according to Martin.

Also taking Tuesday's tour was Chris Fewster and two representatives of Anderson and Associates of Roanoke, along with Jim Lovell of Earth Environmental Inc., who are assisting with engineering plans.

Dan Hepp, paddlesports manager for the U.S. National Whitewater Center, conducted the tour for the local group.

At the Charlotte park, the water is pumped into a holding pond where rafters and kayakers start one of three courses ranging in degrees of difficulty. There is an 18-foot drop from the start to the end of the courses.

This compares to an approximately 20-foot drop in the natural of bed of the Pigg River to the base of the old dam.

The length of the Charlotte whitewater runs is 3,700 feet, while the Pigg River length will be 1,100 feet.

Two of the three whitewater courses at Charlotte have a flow of 600 cubic feet a second (CFS) with one dropping to 300 CFS. This compares to an average annual flow of 200 CFS for the PiggﾠRiver. Martin said there will only be about 25-29 days during the year when the water will be high after a heavy rain to create rapids in the area of the Power Dam Road bridge.

A conveyor system is used to transport rafters and kayakers from the lower section of the Charlotte park back to the upper pond.

Fewster detailed the plans for the Pigg River park and gave the representatives a progress report for the dam removal in late 2010 or early 2011.

Before lunch, Hepp also told the local visitors the U.S. Olympic tryouts were held in Charlotte.

"The last day of the tryouts, 4,000 to 5,000 people turned out to watch and see who was going to fill the last vacancy on the U.S. kayak team," Hepp said. "The competition was fierce."

In a prepared fact sheet comparing the two facilities handed out before the trip started at 7 a.m., it was noted that the annual operating cost of the Charlotte facility is $6.8 million as compared to $120,000 for the local park when completed.

Banzai Wild Waves Water Park Box Picture Vs Reality

Hey kids, want to spend the summer with five of your friends in your very own backyard pool? Then stay the hell away from Banzai's Wild Waves Water Park! David Ng juxtaposed Banzai's box art with a picture of his disappointed kids standing next to the fully assembled "water park." He wasn't the only one deceived, according to the reviews on Amazon...

Here are several representative snippets

I have two preschoolers (ages 2 and 4) and this pool is just the right size for them."

"It is the worst product I'd ever bought from Toys R US and I'll never go to Six Flags! Don't buy it.""One person can't slide down the slide while one person is in the pool let alone have 2 people sitting in it! The slide is so small and when you turn on the hose to let the sprinklers come down the orange top collapses and has no use!"

"As every one else has said this pool is tiny maybe good for 1 or 2 toddlers. Picture on the front is NOT accurate. A 6 year old can't go down the slide with his legs out because they hit the wall. My 3 year old hardly fit. Buy a sprinkler for $5.00 my kids had more fun with that."

Water Worlds

When the mercury rises to the mid-90s, there are two ways to cool off — stay inside and crank up the air-conditioner, or dive into some cool water.

If you can’t make it to the coastal beaches, finding a safe local watering hole doesn’t require gallons of gasoline or overnight lodging. Two water parks and several pools and lakes can be found within 30 minutes of Lumberton.

Last Tuesday, a group of teenagers and adults from Robeson County found relief from the heat at the largest water attraction in the area, Fantasy Lake Water Park in Hope Mills. The 16-acre park features a 6-acre man-made lake and numerous water and recreational activities.

Lumberton’s Chaz Cannon blasted into the lake from one of the park’s nine Tarzan ropes.

“It’s like being in a jungle,” Cannon said. “It’s really fun and my favorite thing to do there. I’ve been six or seven times. You swing out real far and can swing back to the platform to pick up another person on the rope before you hit the water.”

Pembroke’s Thomas McCoy found adventure and relief from the 20-foot-high Jump Tower.

“It’s scary but awesome,” McCoy said. “It feels really high standing on the top. It was the best thing at the park. As soon as you hit the water you swim to the side and do it again.”

The lake has been open for more than 50 years, but has been transformed into a water park during the past five years. Marjorie and James Turner bought it in 2005 and have made several upgrades.

She said “the longest and quickest three seconds” of your life can be experienced during a ride inside the Master Blaster. Water circulates through the tube as riders twist from a 30-foot-high platform into the water.

“People always ask us how it goes so quickly and I think it’s because we wax it once or twice a year,” Marjorie Tuner said. “That gives you a good quick slide.”

Speed, change of direction and water power provide the action on the park’s many slides that dunk its riders into the lake.

A separate fenced-in section for younger children features similar but smaller scale slides and rides, wadding activities and other attractions.

The park, which has space to play volleyball and basketball and picnic areas with charcoal grills, added 25 paddle boats this year. The park is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for children ages 3 to 10 and $14 for anyone age 11 and older. Coolers are allowed in the park, but alcohol is not.

“It’s family-friendly,” Turner said. “We have 23 groups booked this weekend, and because of our no-alcohol policy we get a lot of church groups. There’s something for everybody, ages 3 to the elderly, who can relax in the porch swing, in the water, or paddle a boat. And I think we cover the safety factor since we always have between 25 and 45 lifeguards on duty at all times.”

Kickin’ back cool

If you have children ages 13 and younger, a trip to White Lake Water Park will provide action and cooling relaxation.

The park, located on six acres of land just beyond the split of N.C. 41 and N.C. 53, has a 600-foot lazy river, a wading pool that features water fountains, buckets, logs, mushroom umbrellas and flower teapots,, a pirate’s ship and more.

“It’s very easy to keep an eye on your children here,” said Wallace resident Ashley Creech, whose group included children ages 13, 9, 6 and 2. “It’s cheaper, closer and not as crowded as a place like Jungle Rapids in Wilmington.”

Lawn chairs, tables and Tiki-looking umbrellas provide shade for sedentary parents and exhausted children. Flower, shrubbery and bold colors accent the property.

“It’s a great place that we just love,” said Tiffany Stewart, whose children are ages 7 and 14. “The water and activity is great for early teens.”

Stewart’s 14-year-old son Brent was impressed by all the scenery.

“It’s fantastic fun and a great place to see lots of girls,” he said.

An arcade room is another popular attraction. Motorized bumper boats allow riders to navigate through a series of teapots.

“The bumper boats are always busy,” said Cody Darlington, who has worked at the park for three seasons.

The facility has a winding 700-foot track on which NASCAR and Indy-style go-carts can be driven.

The Turbo Twister water slide sends riders on a 200-foot downward spiral. Three sets of stairs lead to the Turbo’s launching pad, which is 50 feet high. Riders have two tube options.

“Side B is a smoother ride, Side A is faster and most people like it better,” said Donna Clark, whose job is to watch as riders emerge from the tube into a small pool. “I’ve seen little kids go down it 30 times. Some say they won’t do it. But then I see them get up their nerve and go. So they continue to go back.”

White Lake Water Park gets a lot of out-of-state visitors.

“It’s fast and has a couple of drops where it feels like you fall 20 feet,” said Ray Sutton of Calgala, Ga., who brought his family to the park. “Even as hard as you try it’s difficult to be prepared for drops.”

Dan Ford, a 10-year-old student at Tanglewood Elementary, gave the Turbo Twister a five-star rating.

“It’s the best, a ride you don’t forget,” Ford said before climbing the steps for his 10th ride of the day. “I do this for about an hour and then have to rest. It’s such a rush, like you’re on a Japanese game show.”

White Lake Water Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is operated by Huck Pools of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

water country USA

Water Country USA, the mid-Atlantic's largest family water play park, features the world’s latest, greatest, state-of-the-art water rides and attractions, spectacular entertainment, shopping and restaurants -- all set to a colorful 1950's and '60s surf theme.
The park offers a surf shop and gift shop, seven food service areas, locker rental, bathhouse facilities and free use of life vests and inner tubes. Guests also are able to purchase plastic swim diapers for their little swimmers, which are now required throughout the park. On cooler days, pools are heated to an inviting 82 degrees! In addition, more than 1,500 lounge chairs are available throughout Water Country USA for sun-worshipers and those needing a break from all the excitement.
2008 Admission Rates
Regular Admission: $39.95 Child Admission (ages 3 to 9): $32.95 Children 2 and under Free
2008 Season PassWater Country USA has a variety of things to offer. Come enjoy the park for as low as $10 a month!


*Prices subject to change
ParkingGeneral Parking $10 Preferred Parking $20 Upgrade to preferred parkingfor 1 and 2 Park Passmembers $10 Tour Buses are eligible for free parking. *Prices are subject to change.
Virginia Travel & Traffic UpdatesFor around the clock traffic and travel information on Virginia's interstates, travelers can dial 511. The Virginia 511 system updates callers and Web site visitors with information about road construction, traffic and weather conditions, traffic incidents, transit information, lodging, food, gas and more. The service is available 24 hours a day by dialing 5-1-1 or by visiting www.511Virginia.org. Outside Virginia, 511 Virginia can be accessed by calling 1-800-578-4111. Hearing impaired users (TDD users) can call 711 and ask to be connected to 511.
Picnic Areas Picnic Areas are located in the picnic pavilion located near the front entrance. Picnics and coolers may not be taken in the park. (Exception: Baby food and medicine are permitted, but not in glass containers.)
Pet Care Pet care is provided in the England Parking Lot at Busch Gardens. Pets are not allowed in the park. $6.00 per pet/per day; $3.00 per pet/per day for season passholders. The facility is ventilated but not temperature controlled. Pets will be offered fresh water but it is the owners responsibility to bring food and feed their pet. Trained service animals are welcome at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Smoking PolicyBusch Gardens and Water Country USA are committed to a safe and friendly environment; therefore we have provided designated smoking stations throughout the park. All Indoor areas will remain smoke free environments. Outdoor smoking stations are designated in guest areas by smoking urns, benches and "designated Smoking Area" signs. These signs are clearly denoted on the park maps.
AttireGuests may wear swimsuits or shorts, and T-shirts on rides. (No thong bathing suits are allowed and T-shirts may not be worn on body Flumes.) Aqua Socks are permitted on rides and in pool areas.
Employment Opportunities Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA have a number of great job opportunities ready and waiting for you! We offer flexibility with scheduling, and openings are available for both day and nighttime positions. Busch Gardens and Water Country USA are equal opportunity employers and support a safe and drug-free workplace. For more information call 757-253-3020 or for more information please check our employment website.
Hot Tips for a Cool DayBags – Please leave unnecessary items in your vehicle. Please have all bags ready for inspection at the main entrance. Coolers and outside food are not permitted inside the park. Please do not leave bags or valuables unattended in the park.
Lockers – 3 locations Straight through the turnstiles near WC Duds gift shop, bottom of hill across from Jet Scream and next to Hubba Hubba Highway (least crowded)
Children under 42” must wear life vests (available free of charge throughout the park) and can ride any attraction except body slides. Personal floatation devices are not allowed, unless USCG approved.
Children’s Areas – 3H2O UFO – next to Big Daddy FallsCowabunga – near Jet ScreamKritter Koral – next to Wave Pool
River Adventures – 2Ramblin River (Rock and Roll Island, just past Wave Pool) – Slow tube floatHubba Hubba Highway – Swift ride best enjoyed with a life vest
Family Rides – 4Aquazoid and Big Daddy Falls – family raftsMeltdown and Malibu Pipeline – multiple rider tubes
Lost/Separated Parties – Please plan a meeting spot ahead of time, should you become separated from members of your party. Any employee can assist with lost children.

schlitterbahn water park

Schlitterbahn Waterparks offer a variety of ticket options; one-day and two-day admission tickets and season passes. For groups of 15 or more, special pricing is available through the park's group sales department. To find out park specific information, select a park below.

5 batter boating tipes

1. It sounds like Zen, but it's a path to zoom. "Learn the sounds, smells and feel of your boat," says veteran Lake Michigan charter captain Shane Ruboyianes (dreamweavercharters.com). "Then, if you hear, smell or feel something different, check it out before it becomes something big."A new clicking might be a pump running dry. That slight burning rubber smell? A loose belt. A new vibration? A ding in the prop. Fixing them now might cut into your boating time and budget a bit — but not the way a burned pump, broken belt or ground-up gearbox will.
2. Boat Bunkers (boatbunkers.com) has a novel approach to protecting a boat at the waterline and below. The company has created an in-water mooring station — a flotation collar that cradles the hull at the waterline, with an under-shield that cloaks the hull, depriving prospective pests of oxygen and food, thus keeping barnacles and other marine life at bay.
3. One often hears of the importance of putting your boat up for winter with a full tank of gas. But Ruboyianes says it's also important not to overfill."When it gets hot," says Ruboyianes, "gas expands. And if the tank's too full, gas will seep over the top. I can't tell you how many boats I've seen with peeling stickers and other damage from gas." Best bet? Stop pumping at the first click of the pump, and always have a clean rag handy.
4. Many boaters make sure they have a tube of Chapstick aboard for protection against sun and wind. But it can also protect you from frustration, says Glyn Austin of BRP, builders of Evinrude and Johnson outboards. Try using the lip balm as a corrosion-battling lube for snaps and zippers on the boat cover, Bimini or isinglass.Gasoline blended with ethanol instead of MTBE may be good news for the environment, but it can be bad news for boating. Ethanol grabs moisture from the air, and can dissolve varnish and other materials in your fuel storage and delivery system. Either can bring your engine to a sickening stop.
5. Yamaha offers two add-on filters to catch the bad stuff: a mini-10 filter and a 10-micron filter. The first is for outboards up to 115 hp, the second for bigger motors.How do you know when a filter has done its job? When it plugs up, instead of your motor. That's when you'll be glad you stashed a spare. You stashed a spare, right?

Nishiland water park

For an action-packed day full of adventure and laughter, Nishiland Water Park is the perfect place to spend a magical day. Create a day of fun-filled memories as you unwind with family and friends.

With the beautiful Sahyadri Mountains as the backdrop and acres of thrilling rides, delectable food and a relaxed atmosphere, Nishiland Water Park is a unique experience. To enjoy all this and much more, a visit here should not be missed!

The Park is situated on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway but is also easily accessible from the new Expressway between the two cities. Just 45 kms from Ghatkopar and approximately 10 minutes away from Karjat station, the atmosphere here will make you forget that you’re so close to the chaos of city life!

WAVE POOL
One of the Park’s main attractions, the 18,000 square feet wave pool creates everything from soft ripples to bigger waves that will make you feel like you’re right on the beach!

DOME SLIDES
Slide into the ripples of the Wave Pool from the brightly coloured Dome Slide situated at its center

RAIN DANCE Let loose under the spray of the artificial rain maker as your feet move to the rhythm of the music. BOATING After such an action-packed day, take a relaxing ride in the 40,000 square foot lake as you watch the sun set into the mountains.

For More Information Visit Hear