New Wave Rides was an American manufacturer of water rides. They manufactured water slides and water slide complexes.

History

From 1975 - 1981, Bill Crandall was the general manager of AstroWorld. In 1979, Crandall partnered with Intamin to create the first river rapids ride, Thunder River. After the ride's debut season, 1980, was complete, Crandall decided to start his own consulting business, Crandall & Associates. In January 1984, his company had been contracted to supervise Frontier City amusement park. They developed a water slide attraction called Riptide, which was installed in the park in the fall of 1984. In November 1984, Crandall & Associates founded New Wave Rides, with Riptide as its debut attraction. The company sold its second ride, called Thunder Falls, to Frontier City, which opened in 1985.

Partial List of Attractions

Operating

NameLocationSeason openedSeason closedTypeRef(s)
RiptideFrontier City19841997Water slide
Six Flags America1998Operating

Closed

NameLocationSeason openedSeason closedTypeRef(s)
Thunder FallsFrontier City1985UnknownWater slide
RiptideFun 'N Wheels19851988Water slide
Racing Rivers - RiptideKings Dominion19871996Water slide
Frontier Chute-OutHersheypark19881998Slide complex
The Python PlungeWorlds of Fun19881999Slide complex
Wild River FallsRiverside Amusement Park19891996Slide complex
Torpedo RapidsDarien Lake19901998Water slide
Racing RiversSix Flags AstroWorld1991UnknownWater slide
The African TowerSix Flags Great Adventure19911998Slide complex
The Asian Tower
The North American Tower
Adventure Rivers of TexasSix Flags AstroWorld19922005River raft ride