Kool Runnings: THRILLING! - JamaicaObserver.com

Saturday, November 07, 2009 10:12 PM

Teenage

Kool Runnings: THRILLING!

BY Jodi-Ann Williams

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Summer is right upon us and TEENage has decided to highlight some "must-visit" spots all around the island. This past week, some of our crew visited one such place. It is five acres of land located in Jamaica's heart of tourism, Negril. It is not only the largest water park of its kind in Jamaica, but also in the entire Eastern Caribbean. If you guessed Kool Runnings Water Park then you would be right.

The entrance to Kool Runnings Water Park is both fun and inviting. (Photos: Lionel Rookwood)

Kool Runnings features several aquatic attractions. There are two towers. Tower one, which overlooks the park at a staggering 40 feet, consists of four slides: Green Grotto, Jamaica Bobsled, Duppy Conqueror and Kickpuppalick.

Green Grotto, named after the famous cave in St Ann, is a winding, closed slide that you can go down in a single or double tube with a friend. At an impressive length of 385-feet, the Green Grotto adds a little something extra with virtual imaging, audio technology and a 3-D electronic system. This all allows for a "create-your-own-ride" experience.

The other tube-allowing ride, Jamaica Bobsled, allows for single, double and triple tubing. Named in tribute to the famous bobsled team, the slide is open air, allowing you to see as you take the deep turns and twists of the ride before coming to a huge splash at bottom.

The extensive grounds of Kool Runnings make for a beautiful view. (Photos: Lionel Rookwood)

The two other rides of tower one, Duppy Conqueror and Kick Puppalick, are the more daring of the four slides, definitely not for the faint of heart. Unlike the Green Grotto and Jamaica Bobsled, these two are body slides rather than tubes.

The Duppy Conqueror is the fastest speed slide. With no turns, it is a vertical drop; a leap of faith so to speak down 105 feet of slide. The Kick Puppalick, true to its name, will leave you head over heels, literally. As you plunge down and take a dramatic turn, you find yourself swirling topsy turvy in the 28 feet wide "splash bowl" before falling into catch pool. For this one, make sure you can swim!

General Manager Neckeisha and Kimisha show Garfene and Jodi the 'Palisadoes Go-Kart Track'.

Tower two, at 30 feet, hosts three body slides: the swift descending Lightning Bolt, the crowd favourite Red Snapper and the sneaky Sly Mongoose. In addition to the water park's slides, there is also the Rio Bueno (Lazy River), named after our famed river, which meanders around the park. Take a tube and lazily drift, relax and take in the surroundings.

There is also Captain Mikie's (the mascot Mikie Manatee's alter ego) Coconut Island for the kids. The highlight of this area: a huge coconut that showers water down every couple of minutes. So if you plan to take a child or two with you, rest assured they'll have just as much fun as you.

These three thrill-seekers were at the park an hour before opening time and had a wild time tubing down the Jamaica Bobsled once they got in.

Though a water park, Kool Runnings also caters to the non-aquatic minded. The Anancy Village Dry Park Attractions include a number of attractions for those that fall in this category. The Palisadoes Go-Kart Track, named for the infamous strip, gives you three minutes speeding around the small track. There is also the Bug-A-Boo Bungee Trampoline and Peenie Wallie Carousel.

Food and entertainment are not an issue at Kool Runnings. A deejay fills the air with music and pulls the crowd to join in games. Nourishment is ever available in the park, no matter what your taste, you'll probably be able to find something to chow or gulp down at the Dash-Een Restaurant, Sweet Potato Grill, Guava Jelly Coffee Shop, Kool Blendz Juice Bar or Knock Out Sports Bar.

What's more, there are now two new attractions. The Kool Kanoe Swamp Adventure takes you out into the Great Morass, allowing you to witness the natural scenery up close and personal. The Culinary Heritage Tour presents our island's rich heritage and culinary culture.

Add to all this a gift shop, great hospitality, clean and presentable facilities and an overall impressive ground, Kool Runnings is most definitely a place every TEEN should try to visit this summer. A day there is a great way to cool down from the summer heat and vent some energy. So get out your swimsuits and get on over to Kool Runnings Water Park.

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