FARMINGTON — There are no loops turning riders on their head, but the twists and well-placed banked turns in the ocean-blue-colored track of Lagoon’s new BomBora roller coaster cause its passengers to scream.
Those screams can be heard over the surf-themed music blasting from the 16-passenger train each time it leaves the loading station.
Billed as a family-friendly coaster, Lagoon’s newest $5 million-plus feature is no kiddie ride, officials say.
The ride, resembling a California-beach roller coaster built on a wooden pier — a setting enhanced at the Farmington amusement park by the ride’s being squeezed up against the Lagoon-A-Beach waterpark, was unveiled to the media Wednesday under made-to-order blue skies.
“It’s pretty fast for a family ride,” said Brady Egan, 15, of Farmington.
He was one of about a dozen youths invited to Wednesday’s unveiling to give the ride a try.
“I like how they put the music in it,” Brady said of the coaster that has speakers mounted in each compartment.
Some of the music during the ride included “Catch a Wave” by The Beach Boys and “Wipeout” by The Surfaris.
Brady said he also likes how the roller coaster turns and bends through the track. He said the ride is one he looks forward to enjoying throughout the summer.
Brady’s mother, Michelle Egan, who attended the media event with her five children, also gives the attraction high marks.
“We love it,” said Egan, who has been coming to Lagoon for years.
Others given the chance to ride the Cadillac-smooth roller coaster, void of any herky-jerky movements, were equally impressed.
“It (is) a perfect family ride. Perfect for young kids — and older kids, like me,” said Syracuse resident Diane Chatterton, who attended the event with her husband, Larry, and their children Isabel, 9, and Sam, 7.
“It was a great time for the family. Enough thrill for parents and just enough (thrill) to make the kids a little nervous,” Larry Chatterton said.
“We’re billing it as a family coaster,” said Dick Andrew, Lagoon’s vice president of marketing.
“What that means is, the whole family can ride on it together. But it is not a children’s or kiddie ride,” he said of the coaster, which has a footprint of 100 feet by 165 feet, with more than 1,000 feet of track.
The BomBora reaches speeds of 31 mph and a height of 50 feet, and includes some rider restrictions.
Those less than 36 inches tall may not ride, while those between 36 and 48 inches tall must be accompanied by a responsible person.
Andrew said BomBora, meaning a confluence of waves, was designed in-house.
“This is absolutely unique to us. This is probably more ours than anything we have done.”
The ride, with two trains operating, will serve a high number of riders — about 950 — per hour.
BomBora is included in the park’s all-day or season passport. The ride became operational and was first open to the public April 2, but because of wet weather, the ride was not showcased to the media until Wednesday.
Lagoon is now open weekends and opens daily beginning June 4.
Comments