| Tsunami Surge | |
| Location: | Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago |
| Section: | Riptide Bay |
| Status: | Operating |
| Opened: | May 29, 2021 |
| Soft Opened: | May 27, 2021 |
| Manufacturer: | WhiteWater West |
| Type: | Water coaster (water slide)Water coaster |
| Model: | Master Blaster |
| Height Ft: | 86 |
| Speed Mph: | 28 |
| Restriction In: | 48 |
| Rows Per Boat: | 2 |
| Riders Per Row: | 1 |
| Duration: | 1:08 |
| Boats: | Several |
| Length Ft: | 950 |
| Capacity: | 320 |
Tsunami Surge is a water coaster located in Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago, in the Riptide Bay area that opened on May 29, 2021. Manufactured by WhiteWater West, the water coaster claims the title of the tallest water coaster in the world at 86feet, even if there are higher water coasters such us the italian Divertical at 60m (200feet). Announced in 2019, the water coaster suffered a delay following the effects of the park's closure and construction delays relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On August 29, 2019, Six Flags Great America announced Tsunami Surge, in which the park claims as the tallest water coaster in the world. The attraction would be located across from Maxx Force, utilizing the former Pictorium site.[1] [2] As the 25th attraction at the water park, Tsunami Surge would utilize "AquaLucent" effects.[3] More plans were announced at the American Coaster Enthusiasts' No Coaster Con event on January 18, 2020, in which the park announced that groundbreaking was in early-January, and had released the renderings for the attraction.[4] [5] Later in March of that year, the park had temporarily paused construction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] [7]
After the announcement that Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago would be separate from Six Flags Great America, the park confirmed that Tsunami Surge would be opening for the 2021 season.[8] Soft opening for the attraction began on May 27, 2021, for the media, and the attraction's grand opening was on May 29, 2021.[9] [10]
The ride starts 86feet above, and drops into the ride's first uphill blast, and turns left into its second uphill blasts. After the second blast, the ride turns into a helix before its turn into the final uphill blast. After two turns, the ride has two pre-drops, before dropping into a splashdown section.
In total, the water coaster features five turns, five drops and three uphill blasts. The attraction utilizes "AquaLucent" effects during each turn, which create "bursts of colors" and "dreamlike patterns" during the turns.[11]
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago, WhiteWater West and Ramaker won an award for the Leading Edge Award in August 2021 by the World Waterpark Association for their work on the attraction.[12] [13] Additionally, the next month, the ride placed third place in Best New Water Slide on Amusement Today