Log flume (ride)
Log flumes (colloquially known as "log rides") originally referred to a special construct used to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. Today, however, the term is also used to refer to an amusement ride consisting of a water flume and artificial hollow logs. Passengers sit in the logs, which are propelled along the flume by the flow of water. The ride usually culminates with a rapid descent and splashdown into a body of water. Most log flumes require riders to be 36 inches or taller, not a very tall restriction due to the family-oriented nature of the attractions.
History
The first log flume amusement ride is said to be the El Aserradero ("The Sawmill" in Spanish), built by amusement company Arrow Development (also known as Arrow Dynamics, Arrow/Huss, Arrow, and now part of S&S/Arrow) in 1963 at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. The ride proved to be so popular, a second separate flume was opened in 1968. The designer, Bud Hurlbut, drew his inspiration from stories of lumberjacks riding logs down rivers. Another notable log flume is Splash Mountain at the Disney theme parks, based on characters in Song of the South. Log flumes are now a staple of many amusement parks.
The first ride outside of America was built at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, Lancashire, England in 1967 and was closed in September, 2006.[1]
Log flumes are a variant of the chutes rides that were popular in the United States in the early 20th Century, and that continue to be built today, usually called Shoot-the-Chutes. The chutes ride consists of a boat that slides down a long chute and splashes into a lake. The oldest existing of this type of ride is the Boat Chute, constructed in 1926 and 1927 located at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park in Chattanooga Tennessee. The Boat Chute still operates today.[2]
Ride design
Log flumes are generally out in the open. Log flumes which are placed indoors instead of out in the open, or at least covered by some sort of shelter, are sometimes referred to as river caves[dubious – discuss] (such as the "Niagara Falls" flume ride in Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Malaysia) to set them apart from typical log flumes. A notable exception is the "Paul Bunyan Log Chute" at the The Park at MOA.
References
- ^ "Final splash for Blackpool ride". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Lake Winnepesaukah. "The Boat Chute". Retrieved May 17.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)