Summer might be starting to show its sunset hues, but in Sevierville, things are heating up with the latest announcement from Soaky Mountain Waterpark. The waterpark, a splashy mainstay since its opening in 2020, has shared plans for a new waterslide set to debut in the 2025 season. According to a release by the general manager, the slide, dubbed "Rafter’s Rage," promises a six-person raft ride from a towering height of nearly eight stories and spanning 825 feet. Riders can anticipate speeds up to 19 miles per hour, as reported by WATE.
Joining the ranks of adrenaline-pumping constructs, "Rafter’s Rage" follows the trajectory of the park’s previous addition, 'The Edge,' a thrill water coaster that debuted in 2022. General Manager Dave Andrews told WVLT, "Our Edge water coaster, which was the first of its kind in the world, has been such a hit we’ve decided to follow it up with Rafter’s Rage, another first-of-its-kind attraction." The new slide will take its place next to the Avalaunch water coaster in the park.
What sets "Rafter’s Rage" apart, says Andrews in a statement obtained by InPark Magazine, is its unique design. Instead of your run-of-the-mill steep drops, this waterslide is engineered with "four artfully crafted arcs that rafts will laterally accelerate over sideways." This inventive twist to water slide design intends to amplify the zero G experience, elongating the sensation of weightlessness that thrill-seekers chase. It's a creative approach that could redefine the standard for water-based attractions.
For those looking to dive into next year's fun a little early, season passes will be available starting August 12 for $99.99, which includes admittance for one guest per day. As the summer of 2024 nears its end on September 29, anticipation for what Soaky Mountain Waterpark has in store with "Rafter’s Rage" begins to build. Eager aquaphiles can mark their calendars for May 2025, when the waterslide is expected to make its splashy debut just in time for the seasonal reopening.
