Garmin® and Schlitterbahn Release Video for the Opening of Verrückt, the Tallest Water Slide in the World
OLATHE, Kan./ July 9, 2014 Business Wire—Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, and Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts, today released a video for the highly-anticipated opening of Verrückt, the tallest water slide in the world. Schlitterbahn has completed construction and testing of Verrückt and the ride will open to the public on July 10th. Officially verified by Guinness World Records, the water slide in Kansas City, Kan. stands at a record-breaking height of 168 feet and 7 inches. The video released today shows the complete experience of riding Verrückt, plunging a staggering 17-stories at a 60-degree angle. The video has been shot with VIRB Elite, a unique Garmin action camera that captures data to highlight the intensity of the ride, including speed and heart rate. VIRB Elite is the exclusive action camera of Verrückt. To view the video, click here.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Schlitterbahn Kansas City for the opening of Verrückt,” said Jon Cassat, Garmin vice president of communications. “At a height taller than the Niagara Falls, Verrückt offers a thrilling, one-of-a-kind ride, and our VIRB Elite captures this experience like no other camera.”
Verrückt, which translates from German as “insane,” combines a breathtaking 17-story drop at a 60-degree angle with another uphill blast over a hill that’s more than 60 feet tall. Three riders at a time take the plunge in a specially designed inflatable raft.
“It’s hard to imagine any product better suited to capturing the intensity of Verrückt,” said Chris Thomas, General Manager for Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City. “With the ability to record everything from heart rate to speed, we’re confident the VIRB is the best action camera to take for a first ride down Verrückt!”
VIRB Elite adds a whole new dimension to action camera videos, especially for thrill seekers. It has a built-in GPS, so users can overlay data like speed, elevation, G-force and heart rate 1 in their video, making it perfect for amusement park rides. It boasts a rugged external housing that is water-resistant 2 right out of the box, with no additional case needed for most activities, including riding Verrückt. With a simple slider switch and Chroma display, VIRB Elite makes it easier than ever for Verrückt riders and water slide enthusiasts alike to capture 1080p HD video and high quality stills.
Garmin will release a set of new Adventure templates for its video editing software, VIRB Edit, in the coming weeks. The new templates include optimized gauges that are perfect to embed VIRB data in videos of theme park rides, such as roller coasters and water slides.
For more information on Verrückt, the world’s tallest water slide, please visit www.Schlitterbahn.com. Garmin VIRB Elite is available at specialty retailers. For more information on Garmin VIRB Elite action cameras, please visit www.garmin.com.sg/minisite/virb/.
1 Monitor required.
2 IPX7 Water rating: can withstand incidental exposure to water of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin and VIRB are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
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Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
About Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City, Kansas is entering its 5th season. The fourth waterpark in the Schlitterbahn family of waterparks, the park features a Master Blaster™ uphill water coaster, four tubing slides and chutes, two tubing rivers including the world’s longest tidal wave river, 13 mini slides for kids, three relaxing beaches and a giant hot tub with a swim-up refreshment bar. In 2014, Schlitterbahn Kansas City opens the World's Tallest Waterslide – Verrückt!