At WhiteWater, creating unforgettable water parks goes far beyond delivering slides and splash pads. It takes precision, coordination, and a deep understanding of how each element shapes the guest experience. In this interview, Project Manager Anas Almashhadani shares how he helps bring complex projects to life—balancing timelines, time zones and teams to turn creative visions into a memorable day for guests.

What does a typical day look like for you as a project manager at WhiteWater?

A: Being a Project Manager at WhiteWater—a global leader in the water park industry—is a fast-paced, multifaceted role that combines technical oversight with stakeholder coordination and client communication.

A typical day starts with reviewing and prioritizing emails across multiple active projects, ensuring the most urgent matters are addressed first. From there, my time is split between stakeholder meetings, budget tracking, and schedule management. Keeping each project on track, while staying flexible enough to handle unexpected issues, is the key.

What are some common challenges you face when managing water park projects?

 A: One ongoing challenge is that some stakeholders may not be familiar with the specific complexities of water park development. Adding to that is managing the time zone gap between our global teams—for example with our headquarters in Canada. Urgent requests often require quick coordination across continents. And, as with any construction project, delays outside our control do happen. Navigating all of this requires a proactive mindset, patience, and experience.

What makes for a great collaboration between a manufacturer and a park operator or developer?

A: The foundation of any strong collaboration is TRUST—trust in the quality of the product, the reliability of the team, and a shared understanding of the expectations. When everyone is aligned from the start, the execution is smoother, and the partnership becomes stronger over time.

What’s one of the most unique or unusual water rides you’ve worked on?

A: Every project is unique. If I must choose, the icon tower “The Rig 1938” at Meryal Waterpark is unforgettable. It features the highest water slides in the world and offers a level of innovation and scale that’s truly unique. Being part of such a groundbreaking concept was both a challenge and a privilege.

What are some trends you’re seeing in water park design or operations right now?

A: We’re seeing an exciting shift in the industry—from focusing solely on rides to designing complete experiences. Operators are looking for ways to surprise and delight guests at every turn.

Features like AquaLucent, which creates sensory moments inside dark flumes using light and movement, and Translucent fiberglass, which lets people watch the ride from below and beyond, are gaining popularity. Slide exteriors are also getting more visually striking, with decorative Veil patterns adding to the wow factor.

On the technology side, Vantage is transforming park operations. By consolidating real-time guest and performance data into a single dashboard, it helps operators deliver more personalized, dynamic, and efficient experiences—all while optimizing overall business performance.