The first test ride of the Looping Rocket hydroslide has marked a major milestone at Christchurch’s Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, as installation of the facility’s five eel-inspired slides nears completion.
The country’s only trapdoor hydroslide sends riders into a launch chamber where the floor drops away after a short countdown, propelling them through a 75-metre tube at speeds of up to 40km/h.
Hydroslide installers Swimplex Aquatics carried out the test run to calibrate water flow rates and ensure riders reach the end safely. The other four slides have also been tested ahead of the public opening.
Crown Infrastructure Delivery Project Director Alistair Young said the successful trials were an important step forward.
“These slides are not only technically impressive, they’re a symbol of the fun and energy Parakiore will bring to the city. Testing ensures every ride is thrilling and safe, and it’s exciting to see this part of the facility come to life.”
The hydroslides will be a centrepiece of the 32,000 square metre indoor sports and aquatics complex. Ranging in height from nine to twelve metres and made up of around 800 fibreglass sections, some are translucent so those waiting in line can watch riders zoom past.
Designed in collaboration with Matapopore, the slides resemble silver-bellied eels in an eel pot, with colours chosen to give Parakiore a distinctive Christchurch identity.
“These slides aren’t just fun, they’re meaningful. They reflect local stories and values in a way that’s authentic and exciting,” Young said.
The hydroslide tower will feature five distinct experiences, including the Looping Rocket trapdoor slide and the Sphere Slide, which sends two riders spinning through a giant sphere. Two more body slides and a gentler option for younger or less confident riders will also launch from platforms nine to twelve metres high.
Together, the rides will accommodate up to 300 people at a time, significantly expanding Christchurch’s aquatic attractions.
Elsewhere in the centre, installation of the 50-metre competition pool’s moveable floor has been completed. The 17 by 25 metre platform can be adjusted from zero to 2.2 metres deep, allowing the pool to be adapted for everything from elite training to community swimming and learn-to-swim lessons.
Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is being delivered by Crown Infrastructure Delivery and built by CPB Contractors. It will be owned and operated by Christchurch City Council and is expected to open in late 2025.
