Twists and turns
Sohret Pakis of Polin Waterparks talks about the new Stingray attraction and the industry interview by Martin Palicki
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s the attractions industry begins to resume in-person events and trade shows, InPark turned to Sohret Pakis, Polin Waterparks’ Director of Marketing & Communications for more information on how the company is doing and what things they will be presenting at WWA, IAAPA and other industry events. Are you seeing strong recovery in the waterpark sector? It’s been a challenging time for everyone in the industry. But we’re very optimistic, and we see recovery. We have been keeping busy with our clients around the globe and continue to develop new slides and technologies, even throughout the recent tough times. Some waterparks did comparatively well even in 2020 - they had the good fortune to be able to open in time to capture peak season. But I think another reason our industry will resurge quickly is that waterparks naturally place high priority on hygiene and clean operations, so they were already in a good position to address the concerns that come with a pandemic. Waterparks have a higher profile nowadays, with developers and operators recognizing their value and versatility more and more. They can take the form of leisure destinations with unique features, combining spa luxury with family fun. They can be
differentiators and brand-builders for hotels and integrated resorts. As second or third gates for theme park complexes, waterparks add variety and motivate guests to stay longer. They also integrate well with malls, aquariums, marine parks and zoos. And then there’s the trend toward developing indoor waterparks or adding a substantial indoor component to a waterpark in order to extend the season. Bringing the waterpark indoors also expands the potential site locations. Another benefit is that the capital outlay and time to ROI are generally less than that of a theme park. Water is just a universal theme and attraction in all parts of the world - and water experiences are our specialty. Tell us about Polin’s new Stingray attraction and how parks can make it their own. We are pleased and proud to announce the new Stingray dueling waterslides. The Stingray is a high-capacity, customizable attraction in a small footprint that promises to become an instant icon in any venue. It has four different tube slides weaving in and out of the same structure and interacting with one another in unique ways. The enclosed flumes culminate in two gigantic bowls before guests race to the end. The two bowls contain
An artist’s rendering of Polin’s new Stingray attraction, featuring four slide paths. All photos courtesy of Polin
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