October 17, 2024 – Last week, the ProSlide team attended the annual World Waterpark Association (WWA) Show in Las Vegas, taking advantage of yet another incredible opportunity to connect, celebrate industry successes, and showcase our latest breakthroughs in water ride design. The momentum throughout the event was palpable, leaving us inspired by the exciting projects on the horizon.
Here are a few key highlights from the week:
WWA Leading Edge Wins: Rapids and El Dorado Shine
One of the most exciting moments was celebrating our collaboration with Rapids Waterpark and El Dorado Park being recognized with WWA Leading Edge Awards, showcasing the innovation and creative execution behind these two groundbreaking projects.
The WWA Leading Edge Award honours innovation and engineering excellence and serves as a reflection of shifting trends in park design. It highlights how water parks are evolving to meet the growing demand for immersive, high-performance experiences that thrill guests and operators. ProSlide’s continuous focus on innovation and collaboration allows us to stay at the forefront of these changes, creating anchor attractions like Mega Mayhem (Rapids Waterpark) and The Water Temple (El Dorado Park).
OKANA Grand Opening Announced
We’re also happy to share the official opening of OKANA Resort is planned for Spring 2025! Set to be Oklahoma City’s top family destination, OKANA takes adventure to the next level, pairing groundbreaking water attractions with state-of-the-art amenities for the entire family. With all water rides designed by ProSlide, this resort leads the trend of creating destination resorts that blend high-performance adventure with high-end comfort.
Strengthening Long-Term Partnerships: Great Wolf Lodge Naples
Our strong partnership with Great Wolf Lodge continues to thrive with the latest resort opening in Naples, Florida. Over the past 20+ years, ProSlide has contributed to Great Wolf’s tradition of unique, high-quality family experiences by delivering custom water rides to more than 20 resorts. This longstanding collaboration gives us a deep understanding of their vision and evolving needs, enabling our team to design attractions that align seamlessly with Great Wolf’s mission.
Industry Legends Honoured in the Hall of Fame
This year’s WWA Show honoured two industry icons, Ron Hood and Chris Swartz, with induction into the WWA Hall of Fame.
Ron Hood, a trailblazer in Disney’s water park division, was recognized for his visionary leadership. ProSlide’s decades-long relationship with Disney has seen the creation of some of the most beloved water parks in the world, including Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
Chris Swartz, with SEVEN in Saudi Arabia, was also celebrated for his pivotal contributions to the water park industry, particularly his role in reshaping the entertainment landscape in the Middle East. His forward-thinking approach is setting new standards for the region.
A Transformative Time for the Industry
Our time at the WWA Show reaffirmed ProSlide’s belief that the water park industry is experiencing a transformative phase, driven by a combination of technological advancements, evolving guest expectations, and visionary leadership from operators around the world. As ProSlide continues to break through the boundaries of water ride design, we remain committed to our clients, creating the kinds of immersive experiences that define world-class water parks.
