Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (SCBB) Discussion Thread

[sfmman2000What would donkeys be like on the moon?]

Depending on the size of the rider, the Crazy Surf lapbars may staple you in. There is a maximum point that the bars move in towards you, so if you're really skinny, the bar will barely touch you, but if not, the bar will give constant pressure on you for the whole ride (kind of like the shoulder bars on an Intamin Looping Starship).

Cool that you found some pictures of the old Arrow train. I didn't know they had a green one!

EDIT: I found a few shots from Sting II, which shows the Arrow trains with another color scheme.





And here with a black (and red?) color on the interior:



And yellow here:

Green Dipper you guys were discussing... Ok, it's not quite the green train but it looks like the Dipper did have green track/white supports back when.

This was found right across from the Laffing Sal back in 2007 when I went.

[Sheep-O-MaticI teach at the school of donkey!]

@ 154bmag

Thanks for those awesome pics! Man, I miss SC sooooo much! I remember going to Betty's a few times. Nice to see a pic of their food

Looks like they're really letting the Hurricane go. It's looking all busted, rusted, and crusted now. So sad. Hopefully its condition will make the price lower. If I had the space, I'd buy it and have it moved to Phoenix, AZ where I live now... maybe start my own beachless boardwalk.

[GayCoasterGuyA zonkey is a cross between a zebra and a donkey.]

Those are some great old pictures!

I think I may have only rode the ride once, maybe twice. I was with a friend who was ill, so had to get outta there fast. I don't remember too much about the ride, other than it being enjoyable/rideable and the station was very cool.

[rolercstrluvrWhen I grow up, I want to breed donkeys!]

Going to the BB tonight, first night of FREE movies on the beach, Lost Boys will be playing. But mostly to get a few more rides in on Hurricane. May as well do it now before it's gone.

[Sheep-O-MaticI teach at the school of donkey!]

I hope someone can make a good video of the new Crazy Surf ride. I've only seen one on youtube, but it's crappy quality.

[Flagg O'DimI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

I'm a reporter for a newspaper nearby the Boardwalk, and I jumped on the opportunity to cover the Giant Dipper's 60 millionth rider celebration.

First off, the park was absolutely packed, being a Friday afternoon and with the free concert happening later.

I was told by the Boardwalk that the 60 millionth riders would be celebrated sometime between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. I got there at 2, and met up with Boardwalk representatives and other reporters underneath Fireball (which I got some great pictures and was dying to ride it).

Around 2:30, we were told to walk up the Giant Dipper's exit ramp. The riders were getting excited when seeing all the press, but were disappointed when they found out they weren't the 60 millionth riders.

After about three dispatches (I was amazed by how fast the ride operators work), riders in the red train took off. When they came back, they were announced the 60 millionth riders.

Prizes included a Giant Dipper sweatshirt and a bag full of Boardwalk goodies.

Also, Hurricane news: I was told that Hurricane's last day is Sept. 3, and ACE is tentatively setting up a farewell event on Aug. 26.

You can read part of my article here: http://www.register-pajaronian.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=12861

Giant Dipper hits 60 million riders

BY: ERIK CHALHOUB

SANTA CRUZ — Raul Vire, from Texas, had never ridden the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk before Friday afternoon.

What would have been a milestone just for him ended up being a milestone in the history of roller coasters.

Vire joined 23 other riders as the 60 millionth riders on the 88-year-old wooden roller coaster Friday. The riders received Giant Dipper sweatshirts and an entire bag full of Boardwalk memorabilia.

“It feels really good,” Vire said, adding that while he knew the history of the ride, he didn’t expect to be a part of such a feat.

Kris Reyes, spokesperson for the Boardwalk, said the park still has higher expectations for the roller coaster.

For the complete article see the 07-27-2012 issue.

These guys were the 59,999,999th riders.

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The 60 millionth riders, before they knew about it.

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The announcement.

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It's official!

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The tail end of the 60 millionth rider train.

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Newspaper photo opportunity.

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Riders redeem their prizes.

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Yep, it's crowded.

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Fireball riders high in the air.

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New Crazy Surf. I took a quick video of it, I will try to get it up Monday.

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One of the Hurricane's last rides.

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The Boardwalk has teased over Facebook that the replacement will be a coaster.

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So long Giant Dipper! See you at 70 million! (but hopefully sooner!)

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[singemfrcI wrote the book about donkeys!]

Very cool. Giant Dipper is the only woodie I thoroughly enjoy, by far my favorite (No, never ridden El Toro, want to).

Very sad to see Hurricane go I was there on opening day in 1992..I am definitely going to need to take a trip to the Boardwalk between now and then to ride that baby one last time. It's a simple looking coaster but I love that half twist drop in the middle, I find it extremely enjoyable. I'm excited at the prospect of a new coaster at SCBB though, hopefully something a bit more modern.

That is amazing... 60 MILLION RIDERS! How many other coasters can boast that fact, not many!

[singemfrcI wrote the book about donkeys!]

Some reminiscing photos from last time I was there..