If Guinness Book of World Records says it, it must be so: Massiv Water Coaster at Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Water Park in Texas (at 81 feet, 6.72 inches tall) is the tallest water coaster in the world.

Riders can feel the anticipation as they climb 123 steps to the top of the 81 foot, 6 3/4-inch tall coaster. They then twist, turn, drop and splash for 926 feet, zip through a mind-bending light show created by the slide itself and then splash down in a triple-drop in the landing pool.

More: 6 Adventure Parks for Summer Team Building

Galveston also boasts Dragon Blaster and Tempest water coasters. All three coasters use Master Blaster technology, invented in 1994 by Schlitterbahn’s wizard of water, Jeff Henry. A water coaster differs from a roller coaster and a waterslide. We’re all familiar with the scream-inducing sharp twists and turns, steep climbs and plunging drops of a roller coaster. We’re also familiar with water slides, and their blasts of water that propel you up, up and away (or downhill), water walls and a huge splash for the finale.

Water coasters combine the best elements of both, where narrow spaces, g-forces, ride dynamics and velocities combine with splashing, blasting water to knock off your socks (or at least your flip-flops).

Here are a few other top water coasters in the United States—located in cities that frequently host association groups and other meetings. They’re also cities in which attendees are likely to bring their families along.

Read more about Galveston in Carolyn Koenig’s story, “Texas Two-Step: Houston, the Woodlands and Galveston Deliver What Meeting Planners Want,” in the April issue of Smart Meetings.

 

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