The experience of sliding down a water slide is a combination of excitement, risk perception and psychological reward. Beyond the natural thrills aroused by the speed, descent and the water, our brain interprets the height or the uncertainty of the ride as a situation that demands an immediate response. This is the case even though we know, in fact, that it is a completely safe activity.
Let’s picture the scene: a person climbs up the starting tower to a height of, say, 20 metres, and stands at the edge of the water slide. At that moment, their body automatically activates a survival mechanism – that is, the fight-or-flight response. This response includes the release of adrenaline by the adrenal glands – that hormone so prevalent at a water park.
Adrenaline speeds up the heart rate and breathing, increases blood flow to the muscles and dilates the pupils to improve visual perception. That is what a state of alertness consists of. It is precisely these changes, which occur in a matter of seconds, that make the experience feel intense and thrilling.
That person, as they hurtle down the water slide from a height of 20 metres, perceives an illusion of danger, yet is aware at the same time that the ride’s design averts risks through engineering calculations, empirical testing and constant supervision. It is this combination of fear and safety that makes the experience so appealing. They experience intense emotions without exposing themselves to any real danger.
Finally, upon reaching the reception pool and completing the course, that person’s brain is flooded with dopamine — a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure — as well as endorphins — which are responsible for feelings of euphoria and a reduced perception of pain or stress. As a result, our protagonist will feel joy, a sense of achievement, a desire to do it again, and greater self-confidence.
It should be noted that not everyone experiences these emotions with the same intensity. Psychology describes a trait that drives people to seek out thrills, resulting in a preference for novel, intense or somewhat risky activities. Indeed, people with a more pronounced version of this trait prefer high-altitude slides, near-vertical drops, sharp bends or dark rides with surprise effects. In contrast, those in whom the trait is less pronounced opt for gentler rides.
By Carlos Rodríguez, specialist in hydraulics and water rides in the Architecture Department at Amusement Logic
