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Schlitterbahn—World’s first family affair waterpark from inception in 1966

There's a water ride for every sensibility at Schlitterbahn
Thomas Wilmer

The world’s first family destination water park started with a dream and vision back in 1966 when Bob and Billye Henry fell in love with Landa Resort, a small 12-acre riverfront property on the outskirts of New Braunfels, Texas.

Years of sweat equity with the three Henry children slinging mud and wielding welders turned a small family resort in to the family friendly Schlitterbahnencompassing more than 70 acres. 

Schlitterbahn remains as a worldwide trendsetter, with sister parks in Galveston, Corpus Christi, on South Padre Island, and Kansas City, Kansas. Schlitterbahn retains its trendsetting place as America’s number one most visited waterpark.

Dreamy jungle ride at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
Credit Thomas Wilmer
Dreamy jungle ride at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels

A mere taste of the Schlitterbahn experience includes New Braunfels’ Master Blaster, the most award-winning attraction in Schlitterbahn history.

The Master Blaster, utilizes patented water injection technology and starts at the top of a six-story tower. Surrounding the “Blast Tower” is the Torrent Wave River – which combines an endless river and wave pool.

Come along and join Terry Adams COO, and Jana Henry Faber, the founding family’s daughter as they recount their incredible forty year odyssey building and growing Schlitterbahn from its roots in New Braunfels, Texas.

Kids absolutely love the Schlitterbahn rides--especially anything with a pirate angle
Credit Thomas Wilmer
Kids absolutely love the Schlitterbahn rides--especially anything with a pirate angle

Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark includes interconnecting large rivers that result in a one mile-long river system! Galveston is also home to the world’s tallest water xoaster, MASSIV.

Schlitterbahn Galveston also features a convertible roof system, allowing it to operate nearly year-round! It’s been recognized as the World’s Best Indoor Waterpark since the award was established in 2007 by Amusement Today.

The pause that refreshes under shade in the heat of summer at Schlitterbahn
Credit Thomas Wilmer
The pause that refreshes under shade in the heat of summer at Schlitterbahn
Old 1960s circa brochure from the previous incarnation when the relatively tiny 12acre Landa Resort operated where sprawling 70-acre Schlitterbahn sits today
Credit Schlitterbahn Waterparks
Old 1960s circa brochure from the previous incarnation when the relatively tiny 12acre Landa Resort operated where sprawling 70-acre Schlitterbahn sits today

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Culture Editor @360magazine

Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer winner of the Lowell Thomas Award 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013
Credit SATW Foundation
Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer winner of the Lowell Thomas Award 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013

Tom Wilmer produces on-air content for Issues & Ideas airing over KCBX and is producer and host of the six-time Lowell Thomas award-winning NPR podcast Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer. Recorded live on-location across America and around the world, the podcasts feature the arts, culture, music, nature, history, science, wine & spirits, brewpubs, and the culinary arts--everything from baseball to exploring South Pacific atolls to interviewing the real Santa Claus in the Arctic.
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