Water Slide Expert Witness Evaluation
I recently visited Roaring Springs Water Park in Meridian, Idaho, with my family. It’s an amazing park—not just because the kids love it, but because of how well it’s run.
As an engineer who designs amusement rides and other equipment, with a strong emphasis on safety, I experience water parks a little differently than most. Having also spent years working as a lifeguard in high school, I can’t help but analyze the safety measures in place. My wife finds it a bit exhausting, but I always read the signs and take note of what’s being done well—or what might be lacking.
At Roaring Springs, I was impressed by how much they get right.
Weight Limits & Consistency
One of the first things I noticed was that every slide had clearly posted maximum weight limits. For rides that allowed multiple riders, both single-rider and group weight limits were specified. More importantly, every slide had a scale at the top, and operators required all riders—kids and adults alike—to step on it before riding.
I was particularly impressed by how consistently this rule was enforced. Whether it was my two 50-pound kids or two full-grown adults, every single rider was weighed every single time. Even when we rode the same slide five times in a row with only a few others in between, the operators didn’t assume or remember our weight; they followed procedure without exception. That level of training and discipline was reassuring.
Enforcing Minimum Weight Limits
Some rides also had minimum weight requirements. At one point, my wife and our two youngest kids wanted to ride together, but when they stepped on the scale, they were two pounds under the limit. I half-expected the lifeguard to let it slide, but instead, the operator politely pointed to the sign and said, “You guys don’t meet the minimum weight and won’t be able to ride. Sorry.”
I was equal parts astonished and impressed. While some might have been frustrated, we simply switched out one child for our older one, and everyone was able to ride safely, and within the acceptable weight range.
Consistent Safety Instructions
Another thing Roaring Springs does exceptionally well is delivering pre-ride instructions. Before every rider went down a slide, the operators gave the same instructional speech—every time, without fail.
Early in the day, our kids wanted to ride one slide repeatedly before the lines got long. Even though we rode it multiple times in quick succession and the lifeguards clearly recognized us, they still gave the full safety speech every time. Their consistency was commendable.
Smart Wave Pool Safety Measures
I’ll admit, wave pools make me queasy—not because I get motion sick, but because they pose a real risk of drowning. It’s easy for both kids and adults to get trapped in the waves and tangled in floating tubes. Any lifeguard will tell you that losing sight of a child in a crowded wave pool is one of their worst nightmares.
Roaring Springs takes a smart approach to reducing this risk: they only allow clear tubes in the wave pool. While opaque tubes are used elsewhere in the park, the transparency of these tubes lets lifeguards see if someone is trapped or struggling underneath. It’s a simple, cost-effective measure that significantly improves safety.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we had a fantastic day at Roaring Springs. Beyond the fun, I walked away impressed by the professionalism of the staff, the rigorous enforcement of safety rules, and the smart measures in place to keep guests safe. If you’re looking for a well-run water park where safety is a priority, this is definitely one to check out.
If you are looking for an expert on thrill rides and attractions, for design, certification or expert witness services, let’s have a conversation.
About The Author – David Smith is the President of Alpine Engineering and Design. He has bachelors and masters degrees in mechanical engineering, and an MBA. He is a licensed professional engineer (PE) and loves product development and patent work.