BYU–Hawaii students get ‘wet n wild’ to kick off their summer break
With temperatures rising, BYU–Hawaii students and couples splashed their way into the summer break with a trip to Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii. Participants embarked on various waterslide attractions, filling the environment with screams and hollers of enjoyment. The outing is the first of four activities being held for students to enjoy during the summer break – a movie night at the McKay auditorium, a canoe race at Kahana Bay, and a summer concert at the Flag Circle.
The Tornado
Kai O’Connor, a senior exercise science major from California, said Tornado was her favorite ride and enjoyed watching people scream while riding it.
The Wet ‘n’ Wild website labels the Tornado as one of their extreme attractions. “Guests begin their journey being catapulted from 50 feet in the air through a 130-foot tunnel before plummeting into the eye of the storm.” The ride permits two to four people per tube(s) and sends riders through swirling waters in the Tornado’s funnel before reaching a calm, shallow area.
Battsetseg Gansukh, a junior human resources major from Mongolia, said attending this event was her first time visiting Wet ‘n’ Wild. She said she enjoyed the Tornado and screamed a lot while on the water ride. “I don’t scream in general. I just have a really calm voice.”
Zaphnath Villanueva, a senior marine biology major from the Philippines, agreed with others and said of all the rides the Tornado was his favorite. The ride’s duration is longer, and the “sudden drop” helps build up tension, making the experience very fun and exciting, he added.
Affordable and enjoyable
O’Connor said she helped check students in and manage the bus transportation. She said she enjoyed hanging out with her friends and coworkers and riding on all the big slides together.
O’Connor, a Seasider Sports and Activities specialist and planner said, these activities are important because they are affordable, enjoyable and allow students to relax. Students should know, she added, that they’re allowed to use their student ID to visit Wet ‘n’ Wild at a discounted price.
With school being out, Gansukh shared she needed something fun and enjoyable to experience, and attending this activity helped her deal with the stress from this past school year. Upon screaming during the ride, she said, adrenaline is important to feel energized.
Villanueva said he enjoyed sharing the experience with other people. He said he was able to watch his friends' expressions and reactions on the rides, which made it fun to enjoy. “With all the limited time in waiting [for the rides], having your friends around you was very worthwhile”.
Villanueva said this was his second time going to the waterpark and the experience still felt new to him. Despite his memories from his first visit, he said going again made it feel like his first time. “The level of excitement doesn’t go down the second time, it always resets.”
Unlike last year, Villanueva said more of the rides were open for people to access. Some of the rides, including the Shaka, were not open last year during the pandemic and he wanted to experience those rides he added.
Discounted prices
Shirley Tekura Tovey, coordinator of student development, said 120 students attended the event, including single students and married couples. She said attending Wet ‘n’ Wild is their favorite activity and always has had great turnouts in past years. Because of that, she added, in previous years they would hold the event in July and August. Because it is summer break, she said they’re able to hold activities for a longer duration of time.
General admission to Wet ‘n’ Wild normally costs $59, Tovey said, but the school receives a discount as a group and educational institution. The discounted price is $21, she added, but students were only required to pay $15. The cheapness and affordability of the activity is another reason students enjoy it, she added.