Abstract: The present invention relates to a water ride in the form of a river loop having a channel, wherein a portion of the channel is shallow and has a supercritical sheet flow of water thereon, and a portion of the flow in the channel is relatively deep and has a subcritical flow thereon, wherein a rider can float on a floating device, such as an inner tube, and can be carried from the deep portion and onto the shallow portion, and then back into the deep portion. The rider can experience the thrill of being accelerated through the channel by the sheet flow, and because the water ride is in the form of a loop, the rider can repeatedly ride the sheet flow of water without having to exit. A hydraulic jump is preferably created, as the supercritical sheet flow meets the subcritical flow, through which riders travel for a thrilling ride experience.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily a boat activated wave generator that can be operated in a deep body of water. The wave generator is pulled or otherwise pushed through the water, and has wave generating blades that scoop up water, to form wave shapes thereon, upon which various surfing and skimming manuevers can be performed. The shape of the wave generator is such that it forms wave shapes, and various wave formations, and remains in substantial equilibrium in the water. The wave generator also forms wakes, and enhances the boat's wake, such that various skimming manuevers, i.e., wake-boarding and water skiing, can be performed.

Abstract: Sheet wave generators have recently been hailed as the new generation of simulated wave generating water rides. The present invention relates to a sheet wave generator with a riding surface appended to a single container of water, i.e., a swimming pool, wave pool, or any existing or new water facility. Because the riding surface of the present invention is contained along its outer periphery, the water ride can be compact so that is suitable for placement in a relatively small area of land. The ride surface itself has an inclined surface, a transition turn area, and a downward declining surface which feeds back into the pool. This butterfly configuration is relatively compact, and can be situated such that the flow of water comes from and returns to the pool area. The invention also has a unique nozzle outlet area which is at or slightly below the elevation of the water surface in the pool, so that riders may skim over the nozzle area and onto the riding surface directly from the pool area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controllably injecting, subsequent to the start of a water ride, a high velocity water flow over the water ride surface. A rider (or vehicle) that rides into such injected flow can, as the result of water-to-rider momentum transfer, either be accelerated, matched, or de-accelerated in a downhill, horizontal or uphill straight or curvilinear direction by such injected flow. Flow emitting nozzles can either be positioned above, along side or from any position along the length of the water ride surface. When a horizontal or upwardly inclined ride surface has flumed channel walls, either a special "flume within a flume" design is incorporated, or vents are positioned along the sides or bottom of the riding surface to minimize any transient surge/hydraulic jump that occurs during start-up or when a lower speed rider encounters a higher speed water flow.

Abstract: A wave-forming generator for generating inclined surfaces on a contained body of water. The water is propelled against the surface-shaping generator with sufficient force to impart the desired shape to the water surface, and the generated surfaces can include waves, such as tunnel waves, appropriate for surfing and other water skimming manuevers on the surface of a body of water. Surfaces generated can require a wide range of skills to negotiate, from beginning to advanced levels. The surfaces generated are substantially stationary with respect to the water containment means, the water itself moving with respect thereto.

Abstract: A water sports apparatus, for simultaneous practicing of a number of types of water sports, being a container having an inclined floor surface and closable lower supply nozzle. Water shooting upwardly over the floor surface flows over an overflow into a supplementary pool which is subdivided into two regions, between which regions is placed a grate, and preferably, on the downstream side of the grate, a backflow valve. On the end of the inclined floor near the supply nozzle is placed an elevated water container, the water from which enables starting of the supercritical torrential flow, until a water quantity necessary for circulation and having sufficient velocity is returned through a return line from the region of the supplementary pool farthest away from the overflow. The region of the supplementary pool near to the overflow enables the athlete to exit from the apparatus without influencing the supercritical torrential stream in the water container.