Kansas City Schlitterbahn's Waterslide Officially Named Verruckt the World's Tallest Waterslide

KANSAS CITY, Kan., April 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials at the Kansas City Schlitterbahn Waterpark have unveiled the height of it latest waterslide Verrückt, as 168 feet 7 inches. This sets a new world record for the tallest waterslide in the world, a claim verified by Guinness World Record judge on site. 

For exclusive sneak peek video of the building of Verrϋckt:
YouTube - http://youtu.be/z_U2NoG1Lag

Dropbox - https://www.dropbox.com/s/9og4i4yck2j67ff/Verruckt%20425.mp4

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Mark Holland, along with other Kansas City VIPs, were present to celebrate Kansas City's latest claim to fame – the Verrückt.  Ride innovator and Verrückt builder Jeff Henry was joined by Schlitterbahn Waterpark fellow founding family members, Gary Henry, and Jana Faber at the height unveiling. The build of Verrückt is featured in Travel Channel's  one-hour season premiere of its popular original series "Xtreme Waterparks," which airs  on Sunday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. This special features never-before-seen footage of what went into the creation of the slide – including behind-the-scenes fabrication, the testing of the ride and the very first time any human being took the plunge down!

Ever since photos of the insane slide leaked out and videos went viral at the end of 2013, Verrückt's height has been the subject of much speculation. Taller than Niagara Falls (167 feet tall) and the world's second tallest waterslide, Kilimanjaro (164 feet tall), Verrückt is not a body slide – it's a raft slide and features a nearly 17-story drop and a five story uphill section. The combined drops are over 200 feet. Fittingly, Verrückt is the German word for "insane." 

"This is one more wonderful attraction our state has to offer," said Gov. Brownback. "I look forward to watching visitors ride down this record setting new addition to Schlitterbahn," KC Mayor Holland agreed. "Kansas City, Kansas is a hot spot for tourism hosting over 10,000,000 visitors every year," said Mayor Holland.  "When you come to visit our city this summer you can cheer on the MLS Cup Champions, watch NASCAR racing, eat with a dinosaur, shop for just about anything you could ever need, walk in the steps of Lewis and Clark, eat amazing BBQ, and now you can go down the World's Tallest Waterslide.  Kansas City, Kansas is an exciting place to visit!"

About: "Xtreme Waterparks" – New Season Premieres on Travel Channel on Sunday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

"Xtreme Waterparks" is back for season three and taking viewers on an adrenaline-filled ride on the world's wettest, wildest, most over-the-top and exhilarating water rides that will thrill any demanding adrenaline junkie. The season kicks off with an exclusive one-hour special episode featuring the making of the world's tallest water slide – Schlitterbahn's Verrϋckt in Kansas City, KS. For exclusive sneak peek video of the building of Verrϋckt:
YouTube - http://youtu.be/z_U2NoG1Lag

About Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts: Founded in 1979  by the Henry family in New Braunfels, Texas, Schlitterbahn has been the world's number one waterpark for 16 years. With three parks in Texas (and a fourth under construction)  and one in Kansas, Schlitterbahn continues to be a leader and innovator of waterparks and resorts.

About Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City: Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City, Kansas is entering its 5^th season. The fourth waterpark in the Schlitterbahn family of waterparks, the park features a Master Blaster™ uphill water coaster, four tubing slides and chutes, two tubing rivers including the world's longest tidal wave river, 13 mini slides for kids, three relaxing beaches and a giant hot tub with a swim-up refreshment bar. In 2014, Schlitterbahn Kansas City opens the World's Tallest Waterslide - Verrückt! Visit the ride website to learn more:

About Travel Channel: TRAVEL CHANNEL (http://www.TravelChannel.com) is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it's around the world or around the block. A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million U.S. cable homes.  Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and New York, NY.  Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

SOURCE Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts