Written by Kerryn Caulfield, Executive Director, Composites Australia Inc.
From white-knuckle tube rides and seemingly endless snaking slides at theme parks to child-friendly designs at indoor aquatic centres, Victorian-based manufacturer Fibreglass Victoria has been fabricating open and closed freefall waterslides for diverse clients and installations across Australia. According to Gordon Tenney, Director of Fibreglass Victoria, the materials and design of a waterslide must consider environmental conditions and structural demands. Waterslide sections are engineered to accommodate expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes. Precise joint alignment between sections is crucial to manage dynamic movement and maintain durability.
The surface finish, including the selection and quality of the gel coat, plays a key role in reducing friction, enabling smooth water flow through curves and corners and resisting corrosion from chemicals like chlorine. It also prevents staining from algae buildup and supports the slide’s ability to endure heavy loads over time, ultimately extending its lifespan. With regular maintenance and timely repairs, waterslides can retain their safety and performance for up to 25 years.
No two waterslides are the same, so Fibreglass Victoria custom designs and fabricates the moulds and plugs required for each project. One notable example is the installation of a waterslide into the Ovens River at Syd Lewis Landing in Bright, a contribution by the local Rotary Club. This slide, coloured green to blend into the bushland, highlights both the adaptability of waterslide design and the company’s ability to tailor their manufacturing process to meet specific project requirements.
Waterslides are engineered with a focus on physics, structural integrity, user experience, and safety. Curves and corners are designed to ensure smooth transitions, preventing sudden jolts or discomfort for riders. The radius of each curve is calculated to balance speed, rider dynamics and structural requirements.
Hydrodynamics ensure water flows evenly around curves, reducing friction and maintaining a consistent ride speed. Slides are modular, with prefabricated sections requiring precise assembly alignment to maintain structural integrity. Bracing is optimally placed to support the forces exerted on the slide.
Load analysis accounts for the dynamic forces generated by riders, water flow and speed, ensuring the slide can handle these stresses. To prevent structural weaknesses, stress distribution is addressed in areas where curves and corners meet straight sections. Curves and banking angles are designed to control rider speed, avoiding excessive acceleration or deceleration. Corner heights are engineered to prevent riders from being ejected at high speeds, ensuring safe operation.
Fibreglass Victoria’s waterslides combine engineering precision and safety considerations. Their laminate schedules, joint design, and material selection ensure durability and performance, even under constant exposure to water, chemicals and temperature fluctuations.
As Fibreglass Victoria continues to innovate, their commitment to quality and safety ensures that waterslides remain a cornerstone of Australian leisure. “Who doesn’t love the fun, excitement and adrenaline rush of a waterslide?” says Gordon Tenney.
SLIPPERY WHEN WET
Australia boasts a range of waterparks that showcase the excitement and innovation of modern waterslides. From the iconic Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast in Queensland—the nation’s largest waterpark—to Adventure Park Geelong, Victoria’s leading water playground, these destinations are exhilarating for both big and little kids. Other notable parks include WhiteWater World, next to Dreamworld in Queensland, and smaller but equally entertaining regional waterparks. Even cruise ships now feature waterslides, bringing the fun to the high seas.
For the most adventurous, Australia is home to the ProSlide Tornado 60 at Adventure World in Perth, the longest waterslide in the country. Spanning 260 metres with a 30-metre drop provides an unforgettable group experience. On the global stage, the ESCAPE Penang slide in Malaysia holds the Guinness World Record for the longest waterslide, stretching an astonishing 1,1 kilometre through a jungle landscape.
In Australia, waterslides are regulated under AS 3533, the amusement rides and devices standard. This standard encompasses various aspects of design, construction, operation and maintenance to ensure safety and reliability.
