The world’s leading waterpark supplier, WhiteWater has widened its portfolio with the acquisition of Hopkins Rides.
Based in Palm City, Florida, Hopkins will continue to operate under the same name and offer its established selection of rides including the Shoot the Chute, Super Flume, River Raft Ride, Log Flume and other water transportation systems. The company previously operated in an alliance with the Canadian rollercoaster specialist Martin & Vleminckx.
“We’re ecstatic to be part of WhiteWater,” reports Jim Glover, who continues as Hopkins’ director of sales. “We believe Hopkins’ rides will offer high capacity addition to world-class waterparks.”
Established in December 1980, WhiteWater expanded beyond its roots as a manufacturer of waterslides (and before that a waterpark operator) with the acquisition some years back of Prime Play. More recently it has picked up the rights to manufacture additional waterpark products such as the AquaLoop, FlowRider and MasterBlaster and is also developing various projects with MagiQuest founder Denise Weston.
The acquisition of Hopkins, therefore, is symbolic both of WhiteWater’s ambition and the increasing variety of attractions found within the 21st Century waterpark. As part of a global network of 19 WhiteWater sales offices, it seems likely that Hopkins’ rides will find homes in many more parks – wet and dry – around the world.</p>
“Having Hopkins Rides on board advances our mission to bring the to market the most exciting and diverse aquatic amusement park attractions portfolio in the world,” confirms Teri Ruffley, head of WhiteWater’s amusement ride section.
Founded in 1979, Hopkins Rides enjoys a reputation as, “the waterflow experts” and WhiteWater CEO Geoff Chutter promises many original new attractions down the line.
Pictured: Pirate’s Reef (Shoot the Chute) at Legoland California is one of Hopkins’ latest water ride installations
