Ride Profile
Hang Ten
Orlando may be a landlocked city but with the brand-new Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, SeaWorld Orlando guests can catch ocean-like waves at any time. Susan Storey reports.
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eginning with a launch that immediately sends riders from 0-60 mph in seconds, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster’s next generation train design allows guests to stand, two by two, on a large surfboard as they catch powerful ride waves. Not to be confused with the typical standing roller coaster, Pipeline’s one-of-a-kind design allows guests to twist and turn as if they were surfing through a barrel wave. “We are so excited to bring Pipeline: The Surf Coaster to our guests,” says Jeff Hornick, vice president of attraction design and development for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. “This truly is the world’s first kind of attraction. The unique train design allows you to stand and feel like you’re actually surfing. The unique restraint system of this ride provides amazing freedom of motion that moves with you as you ride throughout the ride course. You can feel the coaster’s energy and hug the curves as if you are really surfing. It gives you the opportunity to really play on a coaster experience that’s unlike any other coaster I’ve ever been on, or that we’ve ever offered to our guests.” A total surprise for riders is the coaster’s airtime – riders’ feet literally leave the deck several times throughout the ride course. As they sail along 2,950 feet of beautiful aqua-coloured track, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph (96 km), riders seamlessly lean into the rolls of the waves of steel. With heights that reach 110 feet (33m), Pipeline also features five incredible airtime moments. “The layout for Pipeline: The Surf Coaster was specifically developed to leverage the uniqueness of this train,” Hornick continues. “The layout was designed exclusively for SeaWorld. We really wanted to maximise the vertical key motions and the zero G feeling as well as the amazing drop-ins the ride
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course features. On the back end, there is a series of left and ride, and up and down transitions that I believe really make the whole experience truly fun! You feel like you are doing cutback motions back and forth like a real surfer does.” Airtime is different on Pipeline, as riders don’t rise out of their seat but instead remain standing as their feet rise off the board. “Everyone moves with this ride,” Hornick explains. “Their feet come off the board several times, no matter their height. Before the ride begins, it adjusts to each rider’s individual height and the movement from the board can be as much as four inches, as they sail through the ride course.”
Despite being a high thrill coaster with a 54” minimum height requirement,
Pipeline was designed to be highly repeatable, Hornick points out. “There are no bad spots…seats…on this ride. Our guests quickly discover they want to play more with this ride, they want to surf from different spots on this elongated board. Each location provides an awesome experience. Pipeline quite literally stands apart from all others.” Plans for Pipeline had been in the works at SeaWorld for several years, beginning before the pandemic. Located near the front of the park, parallel with the parking lot, it provides incredible views as guests enter the park. At the coaster’s grand opening, SeaWorld Orlando park president, Jon Peterson, acknowledged Pipeline was not only highly anticipated, but also gave the park a new differentiator in Central Florida. “SeaWorld now boasts the most coasters at a single theme park in Orlando,” he shares. “Pipeline is a one-of-a-kind thrill ride that perfectly complements our existing exhilarating ride portfolio. We are excited to welcome more guests than ever to the roller coaster capital of Orlando.”
JUNE 2023
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