Tag: #HafemaWaterRides

Flume and Rapid for Etnaland

Flume and Rapid for Etnaland

Romee Popelier

Etnaland

Partner Case - Etnaland

Etnaland is one of southern Italy’s most dynamic leisure destinations, a combination theme park and water park offering a broad mix of attractions. Rather than separating dry and wet experiences, Etnaland chose to integrate ride-based attractions such as the log flume and rapid river directly into its water park concept.

The result is a fluid guest experience in which families transition naturally between slides, pools, and rides. The flume ride adds height, pacing, and visual appeal, while the rapid river offers group interaction and movement beyond the typical lazy river. Both attractions are fully themed and integrated into the aquatic landscape, delivering fun without breaking the immersion.

Location: Etnaland, Italy
Partner: Hafema Water rides
Product: Flume Ride & Wild Raft Ride

Pictures

Flume Ride for Jaderpark

Flume Ride for Jaderpark

Romee Popelier

Flume Ride for Jaderpark

Jaderpark

Partner Case - Flume Ride for Jaderpark

Before our collaboration began, our partner Hafema delivered a beautifully themed flume ride to Jaderpark, a unique park combining a zoo and amusement park in northern Germany.

The ride features an immersive African theme, complete with rockwork, waterfalls, and an entrance plaza that draws visitors in. It’s more than just a water ride it’s an experience that adds storytelling, atmosphere, and visual impact to the park.

Set within a natural setting, this attraction enhances Jaderpark’s family offering by combining light thrills with scenic theming. It’s a standout example of how amusement rides can elevate the guest journey in zoological environments.

Location: Jaderpark, Germany
Partner: Hafema Water Rides
Product: Flume Ride

Pictures

Flume Ride for Fantasiana

Flume Ride for Fantasiana

Romee Popelier

Flume Ride for Fantasiana

Fantasiana

Partner Case - Flume Ride for Fantasiana

Fantasiana Erlebnispark, a mid-sized, family-owned park in Austria, is known for its commitment to strong theming and immersive storytelling. With limited space available, the park sought a standout water attraction that could deliver both spectacle and theming within a tight footprint.

The result: Mami Wata, a compact flume ride built by Hafema, featuring a vertical lift, a backwards drop, and a final forward plunge. Despite spatial constraints, the custom layout offers a dynamic ride experience, wrapped in rich theming that supports the park’s overall theme.

Location: Fantasiana, Austria
Partner: Hafema Water rides
Product: Flume Ride

Pictures

The real investment behind a water ride

The real investment behind a water ride

Romee Popelier

The real investment behind a good water ride

When a theme park plans to install a water ride, whether it’s a rapid river, log flume, or splash ride. One of the first questions we get is:

What will it cost?

Spoiler alert: there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But we can give you a good idea of what’s involved in a water ride investment.

The ride system we design and manufacture is only part of the picture. The real investment goes far beyond boats and channels. Let’s break it down:

Log Flume Ride - Hafema Water Rides - Water Parks

1. The Ride System

At RP Rides, we provide our clients with the ride system from Hafema Water Rides. This includes boats, pumps, lifts, conveyor systems, chutes, and special elements. We deliver the whole design & engineering scope of the ride system, including the layout design, control system, hydraulic calculations, and mechanical. & electrical engineering. This is the heart of your ride but only the beginning.

2. Civil works

A significant portion of the budget is allocated to on-site construction. This primarily includes the production of concrete channels. Additionally, all necessary buildings, such as a station, a filtration building, and a queue area or pre-show building.

3. Don't forget the magic

Let’s be honest, without theming, even the best-designed water ride looks.. unfinished. To blend the ride into the environment and match it with the concept of your park. We always recommend setting aside a solid budget to theme the ride. This includes additional theming to the boats, special spray concrete, animatronics, lights, audio, and landscaping.

4. Water treatment & filtration

Moving large volumes of water safely requires investing in pumps, filters, and water quality monitoring systems. While the main pumps are part of the ride system’s scope. The client is responsible for arranging their own filtration system and must comply with the local health and safety regulations.

5. Safety

Safety is another key area that requires planning and investment. This included evacuation routes, certification procedures, CCTV surveillance, maintenance walkways, and other systems needed for both guest and operator safety. In most countries, third-party inspections are required before a ride can open to the public.

6. Installation & integration

Once everything is designed and manufactured, the full system must be shipped, installed, and integrated on-site. This includes transporting equipment, assembling the ride on location, and coordinating with cranes, scaffolding, and local contractors. Installation is rarely plug-and-play; it requires a skilled team and detailed planning to make sure all systems are aligned and commissioned correctly within the park’s infrastructure.

Zoos & Aquariums

7. Staffing & training

Operating a water ride isn’t just about the ride system, it’s about the people who run it. Your team will need trained ride operators, attendants, maintenance crews, and in some cases, even a dedicated rescue team, depending on local regulations. Staffing and proper training are essential to ensuring the attraction runs smoothly and safely every day.

8. Energy Use & long-term maintenance

Water rides are often among the most energy-intensive attractions in a park. Even though our rides are designed with operational efficiency in mind, making optimal use of the pump capacity, there are still long-term maintenance requirements to keep performance and reliability high. Pumps, sensors, and theming elements all require regular inspection and upkeep. This is something we’ll cover in more detail in a separate blog post soon.

What's the number at the bottom line?

Building a water ride is a serious investment, not only in money, but in planning, coordination, and long-term operations. It’s also one of the most impactful ways to anchor a themed area, draw in crowds, and create unforgettable guest moments.

At RP Rides, we don’t just sell rides. We help you build experiences, from first sketch to final splashdown. We can support you in every stage of your water ride project.

Curious about your water ride investment?

Contact us

Tell us your water ride ideas! 

Celebrating 10 years RP Rides

Celebrating 10 years RP Rides

Romee Popelier

Celebrating 10 years RP Rides

By our owner Romee Popelier

Meijel, 25th of April 2024 – Time flies when you’re having fun – 10 years RP Rides.

April 25, 2014, the day that I walked into the Chamber of Commerce, armed with just a dream and a lot of determination. My strategy, become a business owner in the attractions industry providing technical design.

I still remember one of the first engineering projects, working on an old Holly Gully. Then in 2016, after a great internship, I got my first roller coaster design project and gained a lot of knowledge for what later became RP Rides sales agency. After the opening of the first coaster in 2018, other ride manufacturers knocked on the door too.

In 2020 during the lockdown, I decided to revamp RP Rides with a fresh business strategy and a new look. By the end of 2021, I launched RP Rides 2.0 as a sales agency focussing on the sales of amusement rides starting with the Ferris wheels from Lamberink.

In 2022, Imagic Concepts became part of the portfolio and I took a leap and went all-in on RP Rides, leaving my part-time job behind. It was scary but one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Then in 2023, the first sold Ferris wheel was opened in the USA. And by the end of 2023, Hafema Water Rides joined our lineup.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, honestly far from that. All these major milestones came with a lot of bumps along the way, rejections, bad decisions, and lack of experience. But they brought me to where I am today.

10 years RP Rides wouldn’t be possible without the support of all my partners, clients, industry friends and family.

On to the next 10 years..

10 years RP Rides

Some highlights of the past 10 years

Are you part of our next decade?

Contact us

We’re curious to hear your ideas and help you realise your dreams.

Hafema Water Rides and RP Rides join forces for water rides business development

Hafema Water Rides and RP Rides join forces for water rides business development

Romee Popelier

Hafema Water Rides and RP Rides join forces for water rides business development

Orlando, 14th of November 2023 – Hafema Water Rides, a manufacturer of water rides in the amusement park industry, is pleased to announce a partnership with RP Rides, a one-stop shop for amusement ride solutions and services. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of RP Rides’ portfolio and promises to enhance the accessibility of Hafema’s water rides to a broader market

Under this partnership, RP Rides will take on the role of assisting Hafema Water Rides with business development for their diverse range of water attractions. This alliance leverages the strengths and expertise of both companies, ensuring that Hafema’s water rides reach an even wider global audience and provide unforgettable experiences in amusement parks worldwide.

 

Hafema Water Rides

Hafema Water Rides is renowned for its commitment to quality, reliability and safety in the design and manufacturing of water attractions. Their attractions are known for delivering excitement and adventure to visitors of all ages, making them a perfect addition to amusement park lineups. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Hafema has garnered a strong reputation for excellence in water ride technology.

Partnership Hafema Water Rides
Log Flume Ride - Hafema Water Rides

RP Rides

RP Rides, with its long-standing multi-disciplinary experience in the theme park industry and strong network, is poised to expand its current offerings of Ferris wheels, dark rides, and merchandise by introducing Hafema’s water rides to its network. By providing business development and promoting these attractions, RP Rides aims to further enrich the experiences of park guests and contribute to the success of parks and venues around the world.

Ready to create waves in the industry

Mathias Nick, Managing Director of Hafema Water Rides, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We are delighted to join forces with RP Rides. Their strong network and industry knowledge make them the perfect partner to represent our water rides. Together, we will open doors to new opportunities and bring Hafema’s water attractions to a global audience and new markets.”

Romee Popelier, Owner of RP Rides, shared her sentiments, “This partnership is a significant milestone for RP Rides. We are excited to expand our portfolio with Hafema’s water rides and introduce them to our clients and new markets. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to offer a wide portfolio of high quality amusement rides and top-tier ride experiences.”

The partnership between Hafema Water Rides and RP Rides is set to create waves in the amusement park industry, offering visitors around the world a chance to experience the fun that Hafema Water Rides delivers.

About Hafema Water Rides: Hafema Water Rides is a well known manufacturer of water attractions in the amusement park industry. With a strong commitment to quality, safety, and excitement, Hafema has been creating water rides spread across the world for over 30 years.

About RP Rides: RP Rides is a well-established provider of amusement park solutions, specializing in delivering attractions and experiences. With experience in consultancy, operations, maintenance and ride design and with a portfolio spanning over 10 years, RP Rides continues to shape the future of the amusement park industry bringing people together.

Partnership Hafema Water Rides

More information about our new Water Rides?

Learn more