World’s tallest water slide: 17 stories of insanity

Eric Pfeiffer
·Reporter

Schlitterbahn is world famous for its innovative water parks. The flag ship location in New Braunfels, Texas made headlines last decade when it unveiled the “Master Blaster,” the world’s first uphill water coaster.

But Schlitterbahn’s latest project may be its most ambitious yet. The Verrückt, which appropriately enough means “insane,” is a 17-story water slide that designer Jeff Henry promises will be the tallest, fastest and steepest water slide in the world.

“This new Meg-A-Blaster speed slide is going to wow our guests and is going to be a game changer for our industry,” Henry said in a statement. “Our greatest challenge will be to find thrill seekers brave enough to ride.”

The Verrückt is scheduled to open to the public at Schlitterbahn’s Kansas City location in May, 2014.

Henry won't specify exactly how tall, or how fast, the slide will be until it's officially completed. But he has promised it will be taller than the current record holder, Brazil’s "Insano.” That slide is more than 14 stories tall and reportedly carries riders at more than 60 miles per hour.

Assuming the Verrückt goes at least as fast, it would technically mean that riders on the slide would be exceeding the speed limit imposed on Kansas City drivers.

Verrückt will be different from the Insano in at least one other major detail: riders will travel on the slide in a four-person raft. Along with the shared experience of terror/delight, the raft will hopefully keep riders from experiencing any unpleasant skin burns during their rapid descent.