The Charlotte, North Carolina park has confirmed a WhiteWater-manufactured super flume targeting three world records, with construction already under way on the former site of Rip Roarin’ Rapids.
Carowinds has revealed its headline addition for 2027: Rip Roarin’ Falls, a super flume ride set to claim three world records, including the tallest log flume drop, tallest reverse drop and tallest reverse camelback. The announcement was made on 8 June 2026 at a live event held at the park’s Harmony Hall, attended by media, passholders and guests.
Manufactured by WhiteWater, the ride spans 2,240 feet of water channel and delivers a six-and-a-half-minute experience at a top speed of 50 mph. Eight riders board a single boat. Two high-speed reversing switches change the direction of the boat twice, sending riders forward and backward through record-setting drops before a 100-foot final plunge.
The attraction occupies the footprint of Rip Roarin’ Rapids, a water ride that operated at the park from 1982 until its retirement in 2019. Construction is currently under way. The loading station, located near Fury 325, includes a dedicated ADA-compliant dual-load system designed to reduce wait times and increase throughput capacity.
The ride’s theming draws on a fictional narrative set in a long-abandoned lumber mill. Guests encounter the backstory of the Holz Brothers Logging Company — two 18th-century brothers whose operation reportedly ceased without explanation. Whether the mill is haunted, the park declines to confirm.
Bridgette Bywater, Carowinds president, said: ‘This level of investment and innovation is a true testament of our team’s commitment to bringing legendary attractions and world-class experiences to the Carolinas. As a new signature ride, it combines record-setting thrills and cutting-edge ride innovation — all with a 35-inch height requirement that makes it accessible for families.’
That height threshold is a deliberate strategic decision. Carowinds has added more than 20 rides and attractions since 2015, alongside major expansions to Carolina Harbor Waterpark and the Camp Snoopy family area. Rip Roarin’ Falls extends that run of investment whilst addressing a gap in the park’s dry-side water attraction line-up — a category absent since the closure of the original rapids ride seven years ago.
The ride’s world-record claims have not yet been independently verified by a recognised records authority. InterPark will update this article when confirmation is available.
Images: Six Flags
