Nik Wallenda Explosive Stunt Spectacular This Saturday, May 14. Free with Park Admission!

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark is proud to present the Nik Wallenda Explosive Stunt Spectacular this Saturday, May 14. This special event is free with park admission.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110510/DA98581)

Seventh generation stuntman Nik Wallenda, the great-grandson of the legendary Karl Wallenda, performs two spectacular explosive stunts in front of thousands of park guests and for a national TV audience. Stunts include:

Fire Slide – Noon – Lagoon Area, Original Schlitterbahn

While on fire, Nik Wallenda flies down a zipline from Schlitterbahn's signature castle toward the natural spring-fed lagoon.  Once over the lagoon, Nik lets go and freefalls almost three stories into a shallow three feet of water.

Blasting Box of DOOM! – 4pm – Surfenberg Entrance

Nik Wallenda becomes sealed and locked inside a claustrophobic crate. Once secured, the crate is ignited and explodes into a million pieces with Nik still inside.

Wallenda Family Tragedy and History

It was at a performance in Akron, Ohio that the group all fell off the wire, but were unhurt. The next day, a reporter who witnessed the accident was quoted in the newspaper: "The Wallendas fell so gracefully that it seemed as if they were flying" -- thus coining the name The Flying Wallendas.

In the following years, Karl Wallenda (Nik's Great Grandfather) developed some of the most amazing acts like the seven-person chair pyramid. They continued performing those acts until 1962. That same year, while performing at the Shrine Circus at Detroit's State Fair Coliseum, the front man on the wire faltered and the pyramid collapsed. Three men fell to the ground, killing two of them (Richard Faughnan, Wallenda's son-in-law, and nephew Dieter Schepp). Karl injured his pelvis, and his adopted son, Mario, was paralyzed from the waist down.

Other tragedies include when Wallenda's sister-in-law, Rietta, fell to her death in 1963, and his son-in-law Richard ("Chico") Guzman was killed in 1972 after touching a live electric wire while holding part of the metal rigging. Nonetheless, Karl decided to go on. He repeated the pyramid act in 1963 and 1977. Karl continued performing with a smaller group, and doing solo acts.

On March 22, 1978, during a promotional walk in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Karl Wallenda fell from the wire and died. He was 73 at the time.

"We are honored to welcome the legendary Nik Wallenda to perform at the World's Best Waterpark," explained Darren Hill, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels' general manager.  "Rarely do people get to see true daredevils live and in action. We realize that Nik is putting himself in grave danger to entertain our guests, and that's what makes these stunts truly amazing to witness in person."

Please visit www.schlitterbahn.com for additional event information.

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark is now open weekends and open daily beginning Wednesday, May 18.

Discounted season passes and park tickets are available at schlitterbahn.com. Day passes are $43.99 for general admission and $35.99 for children, ages 3 – 11 and seniors 55 years or older. Taxes are not included in the ticket prices. Parking and tubes are FREE! Operating hours, dates and attraction availability are subject to change.

The 70-acre Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark features more than 40 family attractions and 164 overnight accommodations.  Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark has been voted the world's best waterpark for 13 consecutive years by the readers of Amusement Today industry magazine, is ranked as the most popular summertime waterpark in the United States and has been rated the number one waterpark in the world by the Travel Channel.  

Family-owned and operated, Schlitterbahn Waterparks has been a leader in family-friendly water-based entertainment since 1979.  The company operates Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, South Padre Island, TX, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, Galveston Island, TX, Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark, Kansas City, KS and Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark, New Braunfels, TX, all of which offer family amenities that include free parking and free inner tubes. Guests are also welcome to bring a family picnic basket, excluding alcohol and glass containers, into the parks.

For more information, contact Schlitterbahn Waterparks' corporate office in New Braunfels, Texas at 830.625.2351 or visit the parks' website at schlitterbahn.com.

SOURCE Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark

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