A Cumbrian holiday park has launched a new water ride forming part of its extensive leisure facilities.
Center Parcs in Penrith has yesterday (March 9) officially opened its new Tropical Cyclone ride.
Penrith’s Center Parcs Whinfell Forest is the last in England to get a Tropical Cyclone ride, meaning each site in the country is now equipped with a similar thrill attraction.
The ride allows up to four people on an inflatable raft to go down a tube water slide, equipped with lights and lasts roughly 25 seconds.
The £8million project is the first phase of a wider £17million investment into its swimming resort Subtropical Swimming Paradise.
The first to ride the Tropical Cyclone at Whinfell Forest were students of the Cockermouth Swimming Club, who got to experience it before it opened to the public at 10am.
The visitors were also graced with an appearance of British Olympic gold-medallist swimmer Luke Greenbank, who trained at the same club as a youth.
Luke braved the ride, making a re-visit to the Whinfell Forest Center Parcs, and held a Q&A with the young swimmers.
The Center Parcs-wide Tropical Cyclone project is to keep its leisure facilities full of fresh attractions, according to village director Glen Franklin.
He added: “It took approximately two years to build, a huge project to overtake.”
“But all that time has built up the anticipation.”
The youngsters loved the ride, and many went back up to the start to ride it repeatedly.
This is something Glen said meant a lot to him to see: “I feel emotional.
“I’ve been with the business for ten years and there’s been talk of Whinfell getting a Tropical Cyclone for that whole time, and we’ve finally brought that to fruition.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team, head office, the support we’ve had, and the contractors we hired, it’s been a huge effort by everybody.
“I’m immensely proud to open this ride.”
Luke Greenbank said of the trip being something of a return to his roots: “I always love coming home, it’s always nice to see friends and family, and I don’t get that much opportunity to get back.
“I always make an effort to go back to the club, talk to the coaches and the kids, I think they really enjoy it, don’t think they’re sick of me yet.”
Some of the first to ride the Tropical Cyclone were Max Henderson, 14, and Olivia Omahoney, 15.
Max said of the ride: “I thought it was a lot bigger scale, it’s not your average water slide.
“It took me by surprise with the drops and how the lights change, it’s really good.”
Olivia said of Luke Greenbank: “He’s very supportive of the club, it’s good to have someone to look up to.”
Max added: “He’s a very inspirational guy, he’s been through everything we’ve been through, and knowing how good he is we’re very respectful of him.”
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