(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — In the summer of 1979, Simi Valley residents were treated to a thrilling new attraction that promised to beat the heat: a giant water slide on Los Angeles Avenue. Though largely forgotten today, this water slide became the centerpiece of summer fun for those who were lucky enough to experience it. The attraction was more than just a ride—it was a daring adventure, a community debate, and a fleeting slice of excitement that left a lasting impression on the city.
The plan for the water slide was first proposed by Watershoots of America, who envisioned a “wet and wild” summer for Simi Valley. Assistant City Manager Rich Caplan announced the plans for a water slide amusement center to be built on a vacant lot just east of Simi Bowl. The center would include a concession area, dressing rooms, and a unique self-contained energy system that would recycle 15,000 gallons of water at a rate of 2,000 gallons per minute to power the slide. With such an ambitious plan, it wasn’t long before the city’s planning commission got involved.
The water slide, designed by Svend A.K. Sorensen—a structural engineer known for his work on Disney projects—wound around a circular tower and resembled a roller coaster more than a traditional slide. Developer Mal Carr, who was behind the project, faced opposition from Neighborhood Council 5 due to concerns about traffic and parking. Despite these challenges, the planning commission granted Carr a special use permit to operate the slide from June to mid-September, allowing residents to enjoy a new kind of summer fun.
For those who dared to ride, the experience was nothing short of exhilarating. Riders began their journey by climbing 51 steps to the top of a 40-foot-high steel structure. The anticipation built as they felt the tower sway slightly under the weight of excited children and adults. One visitor, describing the experience, likened it to being a “marble shooting through a downhill pinball maze.” The ride started off slow, but riders quickly picked up speed as they rounded tight curves and sped through straightaways, clinging to their mats to avoid flying off the slide.
The blue fiberglass walls of the chute seemed to pop up out of nowhere, with jets of water shooting out on either side. Riders had mere moments to brace themselves for the next turn or drop. Non-swimmers, like one particularly brave rider, faced their fears head-on, experiencing the thrill of the slide even as they worried about plunging into the pool below. At the end of the ride, riders splashed down into a three-foot-deep pool, their hearts still pounding from the excitement.
The water slide was not without its controversies. While many residents were thrilled with the new addition to Simi Valley’s summer attractions, others were less enthusiastic. Local teens like Christina Barresi, Ash Donna Meran, and Malinda Brooks expressed frustration with the high cost of the slide, arguing that the $2.50 per half-hour fee was too expensive for those under 16 who were unable to work. Their plea to lower the price highlighted a division in the community between those who could afford the fun and those who could not.
There were also minor incidents that added to the slide’s notoriety. A roll of admission tickets was stolen from the ticket dispenser, and some riders, like 13-year-old Joyce McCormick, lost personal items on the ride. McCormick recounted her story of losing a small 24-karat gold earring after colliding with another rider on the slide. Despite these mishaps, the slide’s staff was praised for their quick responses and efforts to recover lost items, maintaining a sense of safety and camaraderie among the visitors.
Though the water slide operated for just a single season, it left a memorable mark on the city. For a few months in 1979, Simi Valley’s residents could be found racing up the steps of the slide, mats in hand, eager to take another wild ride down the fiberglass flume. The sounds of laughter, splashing water, and thrilled screams filled the air, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere that has since become a part of the city’s folklore.
Today, few traces remain of this ambitious project, but the stories of those who rode the slide live on. The giant water slide of Simi Valley serves as a nostalgic reminder of a time when the city embraced a bit of adventure, letting residents and visitors alike experience the thrill of a “wet and wild” summer unlike any other.
Where exactly was this? I don’t recognize the area in that picture. Sure doesn’t look like LA Ave.