Pennsylvania is now home to America’s first virtual reality waterslide.
Ballast VR, a San Francisco-based company specializing in VR for waterparks, partnered with Kalahari Resort in the Pocono Mountains to enhance an existing ride. Waterpark guests can now wear a headset on the Anaconda slide to experience one of three virtual realities: an action- packed safari, a space adventure or an encounter with castle dragons.
So — how does it work? “We’ve designed proprietary software and sensors that keep the experience synchronized with rider movement on the slide,” says a statement from Ballast VR. “[We] install our SplashSync Sensors at points in the ride where riders experience different movement patterns. The result is a perfectly synchronized physical and visual experience that will thrill riders with a brand new sensation.”
Ballast’s standard VRSlide system comes equipped with 25 virtual reality headsets, placed on wireless charging stations when not in operation. The slide functions normally and can still be enjoyed without use of the headset.
This article first appeared in the September 2021 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
