SANDUSKY Kalahari Waterpark offers fun year-round

A popular attraction is the FlowRider, in which guests ride waves on a surfboard.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
SANDUSKY -- The numbers are impressive for a park you have probably never heard of.
Kalahari Waterpark Resort is the third-largest hotel in Ohio, with 596 rooms on four stories and the largest indoor water park in the state at 80,000 square feet.
The resort, on U.S. Route 250 south of Sandusky, just opened in the spring and plans to expand again this fall to add another 100,000 square feet of water park. That would make it the largest indoor water park in the United States, just a little larger than Kalahari's other resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
The African-themed Kalahari is on the ever-expanding Route 250 recreation corridor between the Ohio Turnpike and Cedar Point Amusement Park and is open year-round.
Surfing pool
The most popular feature of the water park is the FlowRider surfing pool. The pool, which is not so much like a pool as a fake wave, usually accommodates two riders at a time, who drop from the starting point onto swift-moving water moving at an upward angle.
Riders are allowed to stay on the attraction until they lose their balance, which propels them back up to the starting point. The only other FlowRider in the world is in the Wisconsin Dells resort.
The FlowRider is closely monitored by surfing trainers, who help guests learn how to surf. Guests get the chance to try out the attraction on their stomachs on a surf board and at other times standing up.
The trainers spend time showing guests proper techniques and helping them get started. Because of the danger involved, riders are required to sign releases before they are allowed to surf standing up.
The Sandusky resort also features an outdoor pool, hot tubs, a Lazy River and many individual and group water slides originating from far above the floor of the park.
The hotel also capitalizes on the popularity of the FlowRider by showing live video in the rooms of people using it.
The Zip Coaster, billed as the first uphill accelerating water coaster in the world, was not open during a two-day visit in August.
Kalahari also features a day spa, eight dining options such as Kahunaville Restaurant and Bar, retail shops and a fitness center. It also has a game room and minigolf course.
Tourism growth
The company says its park in Wisconsin, which opened in 2000, was the center of the indoor water park concept and played a major role in the growth of tourism in Wisconsin Dells. The Kalahari parks are owned by LMN Development LLC of Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Indoor water parks have helped create winter destinations throughout the Upper Midwest, the company says. In fact, two-thirds of all indoor water parks in operation are at hotels and resorts in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
In 1990, Wisconsin Dells experienced a peak travel season during the summer only. Today, the town boasts 18 indoor water park hotels and a 365-day season, the company says.
Cost
During a recent visit, the room cost just under $200 for a Friday night and just over $200 for a Saturday night. That fee included the room and use of the water park and all other facilities. The room was comfortable and clean.
A reservation employee said room prices start at around $200 per night and can rise to three times that much for multiroom accommodations.
For reservations and guest information, call (877) 525-2427 or visit www.KalahariResorts.com.