Track arrives for Sea World's Jet Ski Rescue

Australia's newest roller coaster is progressing as track arrives on site for the jet ski themed attraction. Speculation continues on just what style of ride the twisted track will form.

Image: joz. Twisted steel... after Motocoaster, will Sea World set things straight for roller coaster fans?

By Richard Wilson
28 August 2008

Sea World's newest coaster, dubbed 'Jet Ski Rescue' is the third launched roller coaster to open at a Gold Coast theme park in recent years. Forth in fact if you count Wet'n'Wild Water World's U-shaped Surfrider which utilises roller coaster technology.

The similarities don't end there. All four rides are manufactured by Switzerland's Intamin AG. With the exception of Surfrider they all utilise a hydraulic launch system pioneered by Intamin to propel the ride's vehicles to high speeds in a matter of seconds. All are identifiable by their similar track design.

Warner Bros. Movie World's Superman Escape was first. The first new major thrill ride in a number of years it came with an impressive set of statistics and lived up to expectations, rising to number 16 in a worldwide poll of steel roller coasters. Dreamworld followed suit with Mick Doohan's Motocoaster, featuring a new type of hydraulic launch system and Intamin's first attempt at motorcycle-style seating. The ride was met with mediocre reviews from many fans and park-goers but has nonetheless been somewhat of a financial success for the park's owners.

Jet Ski Rescue's track is noticeably more varied and twisted than last year's Motocoaster at Dreamworld.

This year's Jet Ski Rescue looks to adopt much of the new technology debuted with Motocoaster and in theory set the bar a little higher for family thrill rides. Already the track on site is noticeably more erratic than that seen on site at Dreamworld when Motocoaster was in early construction. This translates to a more forceful ride experience – sharper turns and steeper hills.

Motocoaster's simpler track as seen during construction.

How else the experience will differ remains to be seen, but the jet ski naming obviously means water will factor. Jet Ski Rescue opens in December of this year.

It's Sea World's first new roller coaster in over 25 years, and for the marine theme park where vacant land is scarce, expectations couldn't be higher. Will this ride be Sea World's return to form as a player as a traditional ride-based theme park? What lessons have been learnt from Dreamworld's most recent attempt?

For answers to these questions and more... stay tuned to Parkz for the latest construction updates!