Gurnee, Illinois - Visitors will be excited to see some brand new slides and attractions at Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Great America, as the brand new water park expansion, Riptide Bay, is now open for the season. The four acre expansion to Hurricane Harbor increases the size of the water park to 20 total acres. With this expansion, Hurricane Harbor will have the largest collection of slides and attractions of any water park in the state of Illinois.

One of the new structures includes two pairs of capsule dropping water slides named Mega-Wedgie and Dive Bomber. On Mega-Wedgie, riders climb 50 feet up the slide structure and step into either of the two slide capsules. The riders count to three then drop down the 80 degree slope approaching speeds of 40 mph. On Dive Bomber, riders are also dropped out of capsules, but take a 360 degree right or left turn depending on which slide they are on. Dive Bomber also features translucent tubes that allow other park guests to watch riders speed down the slide. Each of the Mega-Wedgie and Dive Bomber slides can be operated simultaneously, allowing for two friends to race each other.

About half way down the same tower, guests can enjoy the new Wipeout family raft ride. Riders on Wipeout can take a group of two to four on a single raft. The slide consists of twisting tubes, a 35 foot drop, and not one but two funnel structures. The funnels are a smaller scale than those of the popular Tornado funnel slides also at Six Flags Great America's Hurricane Harbor and many other Six Flags water parks. While riding, riders slide down a short tunnel into the first funnel, and out into a 360 degree turn into the second funnel. Upon exiting the funnel, riders go around a tight 360 degree right turn and land in the ending pool.

For those who enjoy surfing, Riptide Bay will be the place to go to get a great surfing experience in the Chicago area at the all new Surf Rider attraction. This double sided surf simulator allows surfers to experience five foot waves at a top speed of 30 miles an hour. On one side guests can pay $20 to surf all day in a relatively short line. On the other side there is no charge, but a much longer line may form, and guests can expect to wait very long periods of time.

For the less thrill seeking park goers, the new Monsoon Lagoon addition may be a good fit. This 14,000 square foot activity pool consists of interactive water elements and a water fall to enjoy.

Riptide Bay is full of all new experiences for water park and theme park goers to enjoy. The addition is sure to bring in many new visitors as the summer season gets in full swing.