WhiteWater Debuts Helix Twist, World’s First Optical Illusion Water Slide

WhiteWater, the world’s largest designer and supplier of water attractions, has debuted Helix Twist, a water slide feature that uses a physically twisting flume profile to change riders’ perception of motion, orientation, and gravity.

The feature premiered as part of the Dragonfly Jet water slide at The Land of Legends in Antalya, Türkiye. It combines with WhiteWater’s Master Blaster water coaster and Topspin open spiral drop to create a ride sequence that includes uphill blasts, high-banking turns, and an optical illusion within one attraction.

Unlike conventional slide features built on height or speed, Helix Twist uses changing geometry to create the impression that the slide is rotating around the rider. Although the flume remains stationary, its twisting profile can make riders feel as though they are rising, falling, banking, or rotating. Riders in 1-2-person inner tubes begin with a familiar circular flume before encountering the twisting section. As the profile changes and speed increases, the ride surface appears to expand, contract, and shift around the vehicle, creating a changing sense of direction and orientation.

Helix Twist is designed to create curiosity as well as excitement. Its unusual geometry encourages riders to repeat the experience as they try to understand how the movement and visual cues are produced. Its translucent sections allow guests to watch vehicles navigate the twisting structure, while its shape forms a distinctive part of the attraction’s overall silhouette.

The feature includes translucent sections that allow spectators to observe vehicles navigating the structure. Its compact design also enables installation upstream or downstream of any 1-2-person inner tube rides, providing layout flexibility for parks with limited space. The section can incorporate varying amounts of translucent fiberglass, from minimal coverage to fully translucent configurations, alongside themed lighting and AquaLucent effects.

“The Land of Legends has always focused on bringing unique experiences to our guests,” said Mehmet Serin, Director of Theme Park, The Land of Legends. “Working with WhiteWater allowed us to introduce a world-first attraction that combines innovation with strong guest appeal. Helix Twist creates a ride experience that guests continue talking about long after they’ve left the park.”

“Helix Twist represents the kind of innovation that moves our industry forward by creating experiences guests have never encountered before,” said Onno Meeter, President, Water Parks at WhiteWater. “It proves that the most memorable attractions are not only about bigger thrills, but also about sparking curiosity, inspiring repeat rides, and giving parks a unique story for guests to share.”

With Helix Twist, WhiteWater is introducing a slide concept built around perception as much as motion. Its debut at The Land of Legends demonstrates how physical geometry can create a new category of ride experience centered on the relationship between structure, motion, and visual cues.