What caused the whirlwind at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston, Texas?

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A visit to Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston, Texas, turned into an unexpected adventure when a natural whirlwind created a waterspout over the wave pool. The phenomenon caused innertubes and water to fly dramatically, leading to a mix of excitement and concern for safety among guests. The experience was initially mistaken for a park attraction, but it was later confirmed to be a spontaneous weather event. The discussion evolved into humorous ideas about creating an amusement park themed around natural disasters, featuring attractions like earthquake simulations and tsunami rides. Participants shared their own experiences with dust devils and expressed a desire for more thrilling, nature-inspired attractions. The conversation highlighted the blend of excitement and danger that nature can bring to recreational settings.
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I went with my family yesterday to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston, Texas. Around noon I was swimming around in the wave pool, when all of a sudden I was hit by a fierce wind, and water starting spraying me hard. I heard the lifeguard whistles blowing, and people screaming, and innertubes started flying from over head down into the pool. It seemed as if the staff sitting on the wall high above were tossing innertubes down at us.

The wind and waterspray intensified, almost knocking me over, and I thought, "This is freakin' cool! They have some kind of neat-o hurricane effect here!" Then the innertubes were flying around me and hitting me in the face. I thought, "Gee, as fun as this is, it might be dangerous for the little kids in the pool." The next thing I saw were nearby innertubes floating on the water suddenly being lifted up and launched 10 and 20 feet in the air. It was really cool, and I wondered how the heck they created such an effect.

When it was over, I ran to find my mom and sister, who had been to the waterpark before, to ask them how often they did the "hurricane effect".

(I wanted to be there when they did it again!)

They had seen everything, and it turns out, this was nothing the park staff had done. A whirlwind had come through and made a little waterspout over the wave pool. They saw it moving across sucking up the water and innertubes (but luckily, no toddlers!) as it went.

What a trip! Best "ride" in the park, courtesy of Mother Nature!
 
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That's a great story! I remember getting hit with dust devils when I was a kid, but those were nothing compared to that.
 
A whirlwind water park. hmm It's only a matter of time.:cool:

The dust devils here fill my pool with: junk, tumble weeds, and dirt. At the same time they blow everything in the pool out. I once found my air matress three blocks away.
 
Hmmmm, how to make whirlwinds for MIHs enjoyment.
 
Did anyone videotape it?

I'm saying, if me, MIH and Wolram all meet, it might be the end of the world.

Wolram, can I come live with you?
 
Evo said:
Did anyone videotape it?

I'm saying, if me, MIH and Wolram all meet, it might be the end of the world.

Wolram, can I come live with you?
Maybe, if we flipped our wings in unison we would have good fortune, lol.
 
Sounds like a fun ride!
 
Very Interesting. I've seen water spouts while offshore (fishing or working), but nothing close to shore. I only live about 45 min to an hour North along the coast from Galveston and we hardly see any dust devils here either.

My wife and I almost went down to Galveston this weekend, but knew with it being so hot that there would be mobs of people.

Dang tourists :-p
 
edward said:
A whirlwind water park. hmm It's only a matter of time.:cool:

The dust devils here fill my pool with: junk, tumble weeds, and dirt. At the same time they blow everything in the pool out. I once found my air matress three blocks away.

How about an amusement park that features all sorts of natural disasters? That would be awesome!

There would be the earthquake attractions, like driving on a suspension bridge during an 8.5 quake. Tsunami Land, featuring rafting down a street while clinging to a bicycle tire. Ooooh, and locust and frog swarms, lol!
 
  • #10
lisab said:
How about an amusement park that features all sorts of natural disasters? That would be awesome!

There would be the earthquake attractions, like driving on a suspension bridge during an 8.5 quake. Tsunami Land, featuring rafting down a street while clinging to a bicycle tire. Ooooh, and locust and frog swarms, lol!
A disaster theme park! Evo World!

I still can't stop laughing about MIH's experience.
 
  • #11
If Evo had been there, I am pretty sure it would have been much stronger, and the two of us would have been airborne.
 
  • #12
lisab said:
How about an amusement park that features all sorts of natural disasters? That would be awesome!

There would be the earthquake attractions, like driving on a suspension bridge during an 8.5 quake. Tsunami Land, featuring rafting down a street while clinging to a bicycle tire. Ooooh, and locust and frog swarms, lol!

I love it.
 
  • #13
Math Is Hard said:
If Evo had been there, I am pretty sure it would have been much stronger, and the two of us would have been airborne.
Flying nuns. :-p
 
  • #14
Math Is Hard said:
If Evo had been there, I am pretty sure it would have been much stronger, and the two of us would have been airborne.
But then, like Dorothy, she wouldn't be in Kansas anymore.
 
  • #15
Evo said:
Flying nuns. :-p

Exactly! :biggrin:

I used to watch that show religiously. (no pun intended) o:)

turbo-1 said:
But then, like Dorothy, she wouldn't be in Kansas anymore.

And she would then say, of course,

"Ricco, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."
 
  • #16
Evo said:
A disaster theme park! Evo World!

I still can't stop laughing about MIH's experience.

I can just see the ads.

Evo World: Paramedics on location at all times for your convenience. Medevac available for extra charge.
 
  • #17
Very cool. I've just added something new to experience to the bucket list.
 

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