By Don Steen
Staff Writer n reporter@psci.net
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari was packed full Wednesday afternoon, despite the summer heat. While the site of the old Raging Rapids ride is still hidden behind a construction fence, the old Boulder Canyon will soon be hard to miss. Starting next spring, the park will host the first and only water roller coaster, Cannonball!
Upon completion, the coaster will take adventure seekers 90 feet into the sky before sending them on a twisting three-minute journey at 45 miles per hour into the Boulder Canyon Community Pool. The climactic splashdown will give both passengers and onlookers a wet reprieve from the summer heat. Indeed, there will be a place specifically reserved for those spectators wishing to catch the waves when the eponymous “Cannonball” takes place.
And what waves they’ll be. The Cannonball! is set to be the fastest water roller coaster in the nation, with a drop of 75 feet. That water has to go somewhere when the boats hit the pool. Those wishing to keep dry while family and friends take the plunge will have other viewing areas available. A bridge over the track will offer another vantage point, for example. Much like the Raging Rapids, watching other people get drenched will be part of the experience.
“The Raging Rapids was such a cherished ride,” said Lauren Crosby, Director of Entertainment and Events at Holiday World. “We wanted to do something that would relate to that.”
One popular aspect of the old Raging Rapids was the opportunity to get a refreshing splash outside the water park area, even in the fall season. Cannonball! has that aspect covered, but there’s more to the story.
Boulder Canyon sits in the Fourth of July section of the park. A decidedly “summer” theme to contrast with Halloween’s autumn and the Christmas season. There are few things that communicate “summer vacation” quite so much as a cheerful cannonball.
“Kids scream it every time they’re at the pool,” noted Crosby.
Those missing the experience of sailing through a flooded western town need not worry, Cannonball! will have its own story to tell.
Boats will float out of the station past a barbecue cookout on their way 90 feet into the sky. After completing five successive drops, riders are encouraged to shout “Cannonball!” as they drop into the community pool, where they will float by inflatable swan sculptures “Ron the Swan” and Ron Swan’s Son”.
Essentially, Cannonball! is one big community pool party. Even the eight individual watercraft convey the idea of a Fourth of July get together, including a strawberry, watermelon, donut, Stars and Stripes, a Popsicle, red and white stripes, and even a Holiday World themed boat with red, yellow, and blue colors.
Riders anticipating a go on this attraction will have to wait a while. At around $22 million, with 1,700 linear feet of track to lay, the Cannonball! is projected for completion in time for the 2027 season. That’ll give some younger guests a little more time to grow into the height requirement of 42 inches, assuming an adult accompanies them. Anyone 48 inches or taller can catch a ride at their leisure.
Cannonball! was designed by Mack Rides and the concrete skeleton of the newest attraction is already taking shape. Holiday World recently hosted a “hard hat tour” showcasing all the infrastructure that will keep water flowing steady when in operation, including the subterranean structures and pump stations that will be relatively unseen when all is said and done.
Those skittish about murky waters have little to fear. The waters of Cannonball! will be clear and blue, like any pool. Just sit back and enjoy the splash.
Featured Image: Work crews are braving the summer heat to get the Cannonball! up and ready for the 2027 season. Like the former Raging Rapids, and the current log ride, this attraction will be located outside the Splashin’ Safari area. Those wanting to get a little wet to take edge out of the summer sun will be welcome to visit the “splash zone” as a spectator, or take the ride themselves.
