WhiteWater’s IAAPA Expo 2024 Update: ISO 14001 Certification, Groundbreaking Projects

Orlando, FL – WhiteWater’s press conference at IAAPA Expo 2024 was a celebration of new projects, thrilling products, and noteworthy achievements. The company announced its ISO 14001 certification, gave updates on major projects, shared insights into trends, and celebrated CEO Geoff Chutter’s induction into the IAAPA Hall of Fame.

ISO 14001 Certification and Impact Report

WhiteWater is proud to share that the company has achieved ISO 14001 certification, the internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems. It is assurance for partners and clients that WhiteWater is proactively taking measures to minimize its negative impacts on the environment. The current scope covers the management of environmental risks associated with product development and design (water slides, interactive water play, and water rides), marketing, sales, manufacturing, logistics, installation, and servicing for the amusement parks and attractions industry, with the scope to expand in the following years.

Releasing its first-ever Impact Report (download here), WhiteWater publicly details its environmental, social, supply chain, and governance activities, which demonstrate the commitment the company has to managing its business ethically. As Geoff comments, “How we do business is as important to us as what we make.” And what WhiteWater makes are exceptional attractions around the world for clients who push boundaries.

It is why world-class clients return to us when it’s time for their next new park or expansion.

Yas Waterworld Expansion

Having worked with Yas Waterworld since its inception, WhiteWater is proud to be collaborating again with Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, for the most anticipated expansion project in the Middle East. Yas Waterworld will be increasing its guest capacity by 20% in 2025, introducing 18 new rides and 3.3 km (2 mi) of slide path—all from WhiteWater—to bring the total number of attractions to over 70. Making headlines will be the UAE’s highest water slide—a Flatline Loop at 40 meters (131 feet) in height—and a Shoot the Chute, the first water ride in the world to be integrated into a water slide tower. Following the park’s theme of Emirati heritage, this 20-seat amusement ride will extend the Legend of the Lost Pearl storyline and take guests down a 15-meter (49-foot) plunge with a refreshing splash for both riders and spectators.

Promising adventure around every corner, additional highlights for this expansion area will include first-of-its-kind Master Blasters, the biggest and longest Parallel Pursuit competition slides in the world, and a new kids’ area featuring the world’s first Mini Blaster Fusion slide. 

Credit: Miral

A Groundbreaking Destination: Aquarabia Qiddiya City

In Saudi Arabia, work is well underway for one of the most ambitious entertainment projects in the world—Aquarabia Water Theme Park at Qiddiya City, with 22 breathtaking rides and  experiences, including five world record-breakers. This park is a pioneer in merging different venue types, one that offers the exhilarating water slides and the engaging aquatic play of a water park, the family water ride thrills of a theme park, and the vibrant energy of a surf park. Designed to reflect the local culture, the park comprises eight themed zones inspired by native wildlife and their natural habitats.

To ensure everyone can have a great time, Aquarabia is the first in the world to incorporate not one but two dry rides within a water park. The 20-seat Shoot the Chute will take riders down a 35-degree drop and into the biggest splash in the industry. Spinning Rapids Ride gives guests in a 6-seat raft the sensations of a water slide while rotating down a winding flume from a height of 19.7 meters.

Another first in the world is integrating a surf park inside a water theme park. With 32 caissons and customizable wave technology, Endless Surf will offer the Kingdom’s first inland surf experience, creating waves that can progress with the abilities of the surfers, from beginners to professionals—and the opportunity to host world-class events.

“With so many varied attractions, one day will not be enough to enjoy and explore everything there is to offer at Aquarabia. Guests will come back again and again, and each time, they will discover something different,” said WhiteWater’s Regional Vice President, Middle East and India, Mike Rigby.

“This project is unlike anything yet seen and will set a new benchmark for the global attractions industry. We are privileged to be the sole water slide supplier to partner with Qiddiya to create attractions for this extraordinary place,” said Jamie Charlesworth, Managing Director, Middle East and India. “With the breadth of WhiteWater’s portfolio and expertise across slides, rides, and surf, it’s been a joy to showcase so many of our products, providing diverse experiences in one incredible venue.”

 

Americas Are Riding High

Latin America’s leisure sector is heating up; developers are now very active, especially in hotels and resorts. WhiteWater has a number of projects in progress in discerning properties.

Regionally, families are a dominating force, and Thermas dos Laranjais in Brazil will open a tower with two six-person raft rides, each a fusion of three large iconic water slide features, in 2025. Another prominent project in Brazil will be the tallest water coaster in the world at Beach Park: a Master Blaster launching at 27.9 meters (91.5 feet) in height.

Still in Brazil, the surf park movement is gaining steam. A great example is Endless Surf Angra—to be the largest surf pool in South America—that will open in 2026 at the exclusive Brasil Surfe Clube.

Credit: Brasil Surfe Clube

Along with significant potentials, the growth of the Latin American market has an emphasis on sustainability, which WhiteWater is well poised to serve, with the company’s continuing efforts on reducing its environmental footprint.

Meanwhile in the USA, notable project openings in 2025 include:

• The world’s first Wall Runner, called “Rafter’s Rage,” at Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Tennessee; it will introduce drifting sensations unlike any other, with lateral acceleration that extends the zero-G feeling
• Ohio’s first and only duelling water coaster, a Blaster Battle called, “RiverRacers,” at Kings Island’s Soak City Water Park
• A beautifully themed Boomerango ride called, “Dawn Breaker” at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions – Sandusky, Ohio, that takes riders from darkness to sunrise

Just as important as rides is the intangible overall guest experience. Vantage, WhiteWater’s attractions management platform, is demonstrating its appeal across different venue types. With existing implementations in water parks to personalize guest experience and optimize operations, Vantage is now collaborating with San Antonio Zoo. A suite of products will enhance guest engagement and increase ROI, including SmartPay, SmartNotify, SmartControl, and SmartVue. Vantage’s agnostic approach means that the system is built to be extensible, with the ability to integrate with a range of third-party systems, ensuring flexibility for venue partners.

Indoor Water Parks Are Trending

While indoor water parks might not be new, advances in building systems, HVAC, and design concepts are supporting a renewed growth in this segment. The new generation of indoor water parks now has better lighting, with the ability to incorporate retractable roofs or walls and offers additional entertainment as well a section to cater to adults. Examples of some latest projects, with all aquatic attractions supplied by WhiteWater, include:

Credit: Bavarian Inn

• The biggest indoor water park in Michigan at Bavarian Inn, opening this winter and featuring 20 new attractions, including the state’s first dueling water slides and a uniquely Bavarian-themed aquatic play structure
• Expansion at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, in 2026, with a kids’ area and a family water slide complex featuring the world’s first covered Boomerango, which will extend outside the building envelope
• Virginia’s largest indoor water park, spanning 16,250 square meters (175,000 square feet), opening in 2026 at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions – Spotsylvania County

And the trend is also evident outside North America, with WhiteWater supplying all the water slides and aquatic play equipment to major projects such as:

• Water World at Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Skiing Theme Resort in China, the water park at the biggest indoor ski hall in the world (opened 2024)
• Aquapark Dalmatia in Croatia (opening this winter), with attractions for a new indoor water park to complement its renowned outdoor park
• Sportoase Sint Niklaas in Belgium (opening 2026), a sports complex funded by public and private partnership with a focus on sustainability

With WhiteWater having supported clients across the world to bring their ambitious visions to life and shaped aquatic entertainment over four decades, the company’s CEO was honoured with one of the industry’s highest recognitions.

CEO Geoff Chutter Inducted into IAAPA Hall of Fame

At the “LEGENDS: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair” event on November 18, Geoff Chutter was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. Since founding WhiteWater in 1980, Geoff has been very influential across the attractions industry, covering water park, theme park, resort, and surf spaces worldwide. Not stopping there, he will be lending his wealth of knowledge and business expertise to serve on the 2025 IAAPA Board of Directors.

“I’m truly humbled to be inducted into IAAPA’s Hall of Fame,” said Geoff. “I interpret this as a reflection of the hard work of our teams across our six business units. My recent appointment to the IAAPA Board only underscores this gratitude. I look forward to serving.”

While the year might not be over quite yet, the recognition from the industry and getting to celebrate with peers has been a highlight as WhiteWater looks forward to another great year.