Back at the end of March TD reported on news that Butlin’s the hardy perennial of the British holiday scene was to develop what it described as the “world’s first helter skelter water ride” at its Bognor Regis location, on the UK’s south coast.

Now Butlin’s Bognor Regis Resort has announced that the new attraction will be up and running from 6 April, this year. The ride is part of Butlin’s refreshed pool product Splash which saw the company sink GBP 40 million into the aqua upgrade.

“An experience that takes our Bognor resort to a whole new level”

The helter skelter’s bright red flumes spiral around the main tower, exactly like the original land based design. The main difference being riders do not use a straw matt to protect their knees from wooden splinters – an everyday hazard of the traditional form of the slide — they simply use the constantly flowing water to cover the 34.9m from start to the finish

Alongside the helter-skelter, the new 6,300 sqm pool also features Seaside Garden, a simulated rapid experience, and Stick of Rock slides – based on the iconic sweet treats found in every British seaside town, from Brighton to Skegness. Almost 33% bigger than the existing pool, Splash can hold up to 950  swimmers at any one time.

“We set out to build a pool that has something for everyone: fun, thrills, relaxation, whatever our guests need, we wanted a pool that allowed them to enjoy it and create an experience that takes our Bognor resort to a whole new level. We are confident we have achieved that, and the unique features such as the Helter Skelter will, we believe, make ours the best pool in Europe,” said Butlin’s managing director, Jon Hendry-Pickup.