Inflatable surfing apparatus and method
A water or other amusement attraction that includes an inflatable portion or material. A cavity of the attraction is located underneath an upper surface, the upper surface configured to support a flow of water and at least one rider thereon. A volume of water is configured to be disposed within the cavity, the upper surface floating upon the volume of water while connected to at least one side wall, floor, and/or nozzle structure. A pump and nozzle assembly, positioned outside of the cavity, communicates with the water within the cavity for flowing a portion of the water over the upper surface. A drainage portion, adjacent to the upper surface, drains the flowing water back into the cavity for recirculation. Support components, such as a plurality of beams or an inflatable grid structure help maintain stability for the attraction.
1. A water ride, comprising:
a riding surface;
an inflatable first layer in the form of material that inflates flat, that extends from a front portion and a rear portion of the riding surface;
an inflatable second layer positioned under a substantial portion of the riding surface;
a nozzle for dispensing water onto the riding surface;
a drainage area for recovering the water from the riding surface; and
a support structure under the first and second layers and riding surface, the support structure defines a water reservoir under the first and second layers and riding surface.
2. The water ride of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is positioned under the first layer such that the first and second layers support and stabilize the riding surface.
3. The water ride of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable first layer and inflatable second layer are separately inflatable, and the riding surface is separate from the inflatable first layer and the inflatable second layer.
4. The water ride of claim 3 , wherein the riding surface is not inflatable and comprises a tensioned material.
5. The water ride of claim 1 , wherein the second layer has separate inflatable compartments such that desired portions of the second layer are inflated to influence a waveform generated on the ride surface.
6. The water ride of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable first layer defines a thin layer relative to the inflatable second layer, and the inflatable second layer defines a varying thickness such that the inflatable second layer creates a sloped surface to provide an inclined shape for the riding surface.
7. The amusement attraction of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of beams disposed within the water reservoir of the support structure, and the inflatable second layer is disposed on top of the plurality of beams to provide a stable structure for supporting riders on the ride surface.