Kings Dominion is eliminating the Shockwave roller coaster next month.
The nation's oldest operating stand-up coaster will carry its last passengers on Aug. 9, the Hanover County theme park announced this morning.
The Shockwave, which was the first stand-up coaster on the East Coast when it opened in 1986, is being removed for future growth in the Candy Apple Grove section of the theme park. Kings Dominion plans to make an announcement on a replacement next month.
“While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to one of our older coasters, we’re excited for what the future holds,” said Pat Jones, Kings Dominion's vice president and general manager. “The park has evolved so much over the past 40 years and as Kings Dominion continues to grow, we’re committed to enhancing the overall experience for our guests. We’re happy that Shockwave was able to provide close to three decades of memories.”
Riders on the Shockwave stand with both feet flat on the floor. The train climbs to a height of 95 feet before leveling out, then descending into a 180-degree loop. The ride lasts two minutes and travels at speeds of 50 miles per hour.
The roller coaster will take its last riders at 10 p.m. on Aug. 9. Special events around the Shockwave's closing will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Shockwave was a popular attraction at Kings Dominion over the years despite its roughness. More than 22 million riders have been on the coaster since its installation in 1986, the park said.
But the ride did have a blemish on its record in August 1999 when a 20-year-old New York City man died while riding the Shockwave. The Hanover Sheriff's Office investigation concluded that the man had wiggled out of his safety shoulder harness, apparently to raise his hands above his head, moments before he was thrown to his death.
