Headfirst Plunge Into Fear

Looking up at the 280 feet of fiberglass and steel that make up a water toboggan ride called High EXtreme, it suddenly occurred to me. Maybe I could write this story without having to actually go on the ride.

The newest attraction at San Dimas’ Raging Waters--opening today--consists of 600 feet of twisting flumes and sheer drops that shoot riders down headfirst on foam mats at speeds up to 35 mph. They land in a 60-foot pool where a lifeguard plays goalie with a foam buoy, making sure you don’t hydroplane into the concrete wall just beyond the pool. (Did I mention you go down headfirst?)

“Look at that thing. It’s so high with those drops,” Tedshawnna Williams, 14, of Lawndale said with a nervous giggle, shading her eyes and looking up at the snake-like slide.

Michael Juan, 18, also had some reservations about the height. “I’ve been on a lot of water rides before--but not this high,” he admitted while waiting in line for his first trip. “I’m not worried about hurting myself because I know they wouldn’t let people on it if it wasn’t safe.”

Right. Just keep telling yourself that.

But when I saw 5-year-old Tyler Motshagen of La Mirada splash down safely, life vest and all, I knew it was time to act my age and take the plunge. “It wasn’t too scary,” he assured me. If he could do it, I could.

I grabbed my blue foam mat to start my slow ascent, the suspense building with each step. Walking up 10 flights of stairs is not for the weak of heart, but then again, neither is High EXtreme. The worst part is, despite the fact that the slide rests on concrete foundation rooted 20 feet underground, when you get 300 feet clip-clopping up the stairs, the whole thing tends to sway a little. Some might even say it shakes.

No one else seemed quite as nervous as me. Before we had even reached the top, I listened as two preteens in front of me plotted their next trip up.

At the top there are two flumes to choose from. Park representatives swear they are the same, except that the one on the left has a see-through slide so people in the wave pool below can watch riders shoot down. I opted for the one on the right. Fear is not a pretty sight.

I watched as the carefree preteens belly-flopped down on their mats before me. No more stalling; I was next.

The first part of the slide is disguised by a cleverly placed hairpin turn. I couldn’t really see what was coming. And it’s a good thing because I probably wouldn’t have gotten out of the gate.

Going down headfirst, the water sprayed into my eyes. I couldn’t see anything, not that I would have had any control over where I was going anyway.

I was gaining speed fast. The thing about these foam toboggan rides is the heavier you are, the faster you go. The average top speed on this ride was 35 mph; it felt like I exceeded freeway speed limits.

The first real shocker was a vertical drop that comes about a third of the way through the ride. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I was sitting down, but catching air and then landing on my stomach, Oohmff! It took my breath away.

The drop seemed to make me go faster and yaw and roll with more ferocity. It was time to close my eyes, grab hold of my mat (cum security blanket) for dear life and just endure the next terrifying seconds.

When I came around the last bend, the dreamy blue pool came into sight. What I didn’t count on was another one of those hellish drops, this one even bigger.

Before I could even react, I splashed down, relieved. Coming up for air, I had that glazed look in my eyes, like someone had slapped me across the face.

“Now that’s what you call a rush!” I heard Juan, screaming as he shot out of the water next to me. “The suspense was bomb. The curves, wow!” (“Bomb,” I later discovered, means “cool.”)

“It’s so fun. It’s scary. You don’t know if a turn is going to come up next,” Williams chimed in excitedly.

Although designed for teens, the ride seems to be popular with children and adults of all ages. You have to be at least 48 inches to ride it, but there is no age recommendation.

Michael and Tedshawnna couldn’t get back in line fast enough. Once was enough for me. I was content to take my faint heart down to the lulling wave pool below and just watch the action above.

* Raging Waters, 111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas, (909) 592-6453. Daily Sunday through Sept. 14. General admission is $21.99 for those 48 inches and taller, $12.99 for guests under 48 inches tall and seniors. Children 2 and under free. After 5 p.m., adult admission is $12.99 and junior admission (under 48 inches) is $9.99.