In a virtual jungle at Pointe-Calumet

There are unmissable summer outings that we happily repeat year after year. In our journalist’s family, the day at the water slides is a classic. Impossible to imagine the holidays without a stop in a water park. It was therefore with enthusiasm that she and her daughters tested the Zéphyr River, a new attraction at the Pointe-Calumet Super Aqua Club. Preview and impressions.

Veronique Larocque
The Press

“A unique experience in the world. This is how the Super Aqua Club presents its new attraction, the Zephyr River. Intriguing, right? Admittedly, this simple quote raises expectations.

The beginning of this water ride does not revolutionize the genre. We each sit in our tube or with our child on us. What makes this slow river so different is the immersive tunnel that we discover a few meters further.

As we enter this covered section of the course, a storm is raging. You can hear thunder roaring and the cries of monkeys and other animals that inhabit this virtual jungle. Flavie, 4 years old, watches with fascination the flashes appear on the dark walls of the structure. “Wow,” she breathes, pointing at the light beams. A drizzle wafts through the tunnel as we head (already!) towards its exit. “It was really cool,” says Violette, 8, immediately assisted by her two sisters.

The ride is not over. Throughout the course, we come across many water jets. Staying dry on your tube? Mission impossible in this new attraction that replaces The Marsh. And that’s good ! A refreshing moment until the end.

Verdict after this first experience? The tunnel is really impressive, but we would have liked it to be longer. This is not the first time that Nadine St-Amant, president of the Super Aqua Club, has heard this remark. “People expect the tunnel to be all the way. You have to manage that expectation. The tunnel itself is quite expensive,” she said in an interview on the beach at the water park, which has 45 attractions and water slides.

” [Le parcours] was also made with the aim of getting people to want to do it again and discover it a little more each time, ”continues the one who has been co-owner of the place since 2019.

Because even though going through the 75 ft of the tunnel takes about 30 seconds, the whole animation lasts 5 minutes. Each time you cross the Zéphyr River, you experience a different adventure. A second attempt is necessary. Especially since on this Thursday at the beginning of July, the queue is very short.

This time, entering the tunnel, we see an impressive waterfall on which a hummingbird appears. It is now day in this mysterious tropical forest. There seems to be more play of light and drizzle than on our previous pass. Do we have the blunder?

This second attempt pleased the three sisters more. The two oldest, who were sailing a few meters in front of their mother, even saw… a tiger! The highlight of the animation, according to Nadine St-Amant.

A 100% Quebec attraction

The Zéphyr river was developed in collaboration with the Quebec manufacturer Vortex International.

The president of the Super Aqua Club says she is very proud that this project was led by Quebec companies.

The evolutionary side of the new attraction inspires Nadine St-Amant a lot. A different theme could be presented in the tunnel in a few years, which would offer a renewed adventure to bathers, she says. “We have lots of ideas for the future. »

Another example ? “Maybe do a fun course in the evening. We could add lights further along the route and projections,” replies Nadine St-Amant, visibly enthusiastic about the project. “We are at the start of something. »

Other water parks, other novelties

Saint-Sauveur Summit

No need to get wet to try the novelty of Sommet Saint-Sauveur. Turbo Pinso is a dry slide that allows four participants to race against each other. This is one of six rides in the FUN park, access to which is included with the purchase of a day ticket to the water park.

Bromont

At Bromont montagne d’experiences, toddlers can now enjoy a new attraction, Les moussaillons, in which they slide alone, like grown-ups. A chalet with a terrace was also recently inaugurated near the wave pool.

Amazon

All summer long, the Zoo de Granby and the Amazoo host the Animabloc exhibition. Towering animal sculptures created from building blocks are scattered throughout the site. As for the water park, note also the return of the foam pool, an original attraction that greatly entertains children.

Etchemins Eco-Park

In Chaudière-Appalaches, the Éco-Parc des Etchemins is adding two water slides to the existing three. With a length of 44 m each, the Aquatwist are two closed tubes accessible to adults and children of 1.22 m and over. The beach, the wave pool as well as the paddling pool and its pirate ship are also there to refresh you.

Aquapark H2O

Summer 2022 marks the opening of three new attractions at Aquaparc H2O. With their different lanes, Les 4 surfers allow you to race against your friends. Located nearby, the Petite vague and Grande vague slides are also added to the offer of the Trois-Rivières water park.