Shoot the Rapids was a log flume water ride located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The ride was built and designed by IntaRide (a subsidiary of Intamin) and opened to the public on June 26, 2010. Based on a Western theme, Shoot the Rapids featured two drops with the second one crossing under the first.

Shoot the Rapids
Shoot the Rapids with Millennium Force to the right.
Cedar Point
AreaFrontier Trail
Coordinates41°28′59.64″N 82°41′21.47″W / 41.4832333°N 82.6892972°W / 41.4832333; -82.6892972
StatusRemoved
CostUS$10,500,000
Opening dateJune 26, 2010 (2010-06-26)
Closing dateSeptember 7, 2015 (2015-09-07)
Replaced byProfessor Delbert’s Frontier Fling and Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island
General statistics
TypeLog flume
ManufacturerIntamin
ModelShoot the Chutes
Height85 ft (26 m)
Drop85 ft (26 m)
Length2,100 ft (640 m)
Max vertical angle45°
Capacity1,200 riders per hour
Duration3:00
Height restriction46 in (117 cm)

History

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A log flume named Shoot-the-Rapids debuted at Cedar Point in 1967. The ride closed in 1981 to make room for White Water Landing. Following weeks of dropping hints on Facebook about an upcoming new thrill ride for 2010, Cedar Point Vice President John Hildebrandt announced on September 3, 2009, that the new ride would be a log flume called Shoot the Rapids, reusing the name of the previously defunct log flume.[1][2] Details confirmed that the ride would be designed and built by Intaride LLC, the North American subsidiary of Intamin, on the Millennium Island location of the park (now called Adventure Island).[3] Shoot the Rapids opened to the public on June 26, 2010, and was Cedar Point's most expensive water ride ever built.

On February 11, 2016, less than six years later, it was reported in the Sandusky Register that construction crews began removing elements of the ride's structure leading them to believe the ride was being removed from the park. Initially, Cedar Point officials did not publicly comment on the matter.[4] Then on February 20, 2016, during the park's annual "Winter Chill Out" off-season tour, Cedar Point confirmed the reports stating that Shoot the Rapids would not reopen in 2016 and would be removed from the park. In its spot is Professor Delbert's Frontier Fling, formerly RipCord, which had been moved to the former log flume's location due to the expansion of the waterpark area, Cedar Point Shores.[5] Professor Delbert's Frontier Fling is named after Professor Delbert Feinstein, a character appearing on the Paddlewheel Excursions ride, which was removed when the now-defunct Dinosaurs Alive walk-through attraction was added.[6] In 2019, the now-defunct Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island opened on the former site of the ride, using its station building.

Ride description

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Shoot the Rapids is themed to a journey through a rustic western environment that took riders through an illegal moonshine business. Guests boarded flat-bottom, 10-passenger fiberglass boats that advanced through the attraction along a canal of water. The ride featured two lift hills, the first of which was 85 feet (26 m) tall featuring a 45-degree drop.[1] The second climbed 49 feet (15 m) high and crossed under the first. Special effects included rock canyons, geysers, water features, and a dark tunnel.

Incidents

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On July 19, 2013, a boat carrying seven passengers rolled backward down the first lift hill and flipped over, injuring all seven riders on board; one was taken to a local hospital and later released.[7][8] The ride remained closed for the rest of the season.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Cedar Point Announces Shoot The Rapids Flume Ride". UltimateRollercoaster.com. September 4, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  2. ^ Bullock, Joel (September 4, 2009). "Cedar Point & Holiday World Add Water Rides for 2010". The Coaster Critic. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  3. ^ Payerchin, Richard (September 4, 2009). "Shoot the Rapids Cedar Point's new thrill". The Morning Journal. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  4. ^ "Sandusky Register: Shoot the Rapids coming down". www.sanduskyregister.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-14.
  5. ^ "Cedar Point relocates old ride & gives it new name". 9 January 2017.
  6. ^ Glaser, Susan (February 20, 2016). "Cedar Point announces early-morning coaster tour, confirms end of Shoot the Rapids". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  7. ^ "Shoot the Rapids boat flips; riders injured". Sandusky Register. July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  8. ^ "Boat rolls backward at Ohio amusement park; 7 hurt". WHIOTV. The Associated Press. July 20, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  9. ^ Levingston, Chelsey. "Ohio Amusement Parks Rarely Cited For Mishaps". Toledo Blade. Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
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