Article about Jeff Henry and Verruckt

[Hilltopper39]

Not sure where to post this but there was a great article posted on a national Sports and Pop Culture Website, Grantland.com, about Jeff Henry (Schlitterbahn,and inventor of the the Master Blaster), George Millay (founder of Wet N Wild), and some history of the American Water Park Industry. Most articles about amusement parks posted on national publications are difficult to read for enthusiasts but this had some great information that I never knew. Take a look!

 

The Wet Stuff: Jeff Henry, Veruckt, And the Men WHo Built The Great American Water Park

 

Feel free to move this to he appropriate thread ,I couldn't find a general water park thread but I seem to remember one existing.

[DirkFunk]

This article is so money - easily the best thing I can ever remember being written about not only the water park industry, but the theme park/amusement world in eons. Of course, its A) not about Mickey B) it's on a "sports site" (lolololol theme park nerds) C) its more than 400 words so no one is going to pay attention to it.

[Hilltopper39]

Yeah, great article, I really enjoyed reading this. I love d the vintage picture of Wet N Wild and really had no idea of the history of this portion of the industry.

 

I remember before this thing opened that some people on these boards mentioned that they didn't anticipate the ride itself actually being all that "thrilling" since it's more or less a glorified roller coaster (which I kind of agree with) but it was interesting to hear the man behind the ride itself say it's anticlimactic and was more of a culmination than a breakthrough. Still a cool concept and it seems like the "arms race" in the world of water parks is just beginning.

[Barge84]

I started reading it yesterday, not realizing how long and indepth is was going to be. I need to go back when I have more time to finish it.

[aCoasterStory]

Great article. Always love the stuff on Grantland. They're quite different from your typical sports site.

[Midgetman82]

I started reading it yesterday, not realizing how long and indepth is was going to be. I need to go back when I have more time to finish it.

I was in the same boat, yet I was comfortable at a Starbucks when I began reading it. My love of the water park industry pretty much kept me going through the article, and it's safe to say it was worth it. Great article. It had many, many things I didn't know about the industry! It's also great to be able to learn more about its history, and hear more about the "pioneers" within the industry.