FAQs - Land Slides

FAQs - Land Slides:

What is included with each slide?

Each unit, regardless of the size, is delivered with three-five blowers (depending on which model), including 1 extra. Also included are water hoses, nozzles, anchors (excluding used car tires for beach setup in which 4-6 are needed depending on which model), anchor ropes, safety nets, stairs, sliding surface and shock cord. In other words, everything you need for the safe operation of your chosen unit is provided.

Is training provided? and what is the cost?

Yes. We provide a two-day comprehensive training program covering setup, operations, safety, and maintenance. The training shall be conducted at your slide location upon or after delivery of the slide and in conjunction with initial setup of slide. The training is included in the purchase price. Together with your staff, your slide will be set up by a qualified installation technician. However, you shall be responsible for ensuring a level and cleared location for the slide prior to delivery. Each site may be different. FreeStyle Slides® and Elevation Slides LLC will consult and coordinate with you based on your site-specific needs. You will also need to provide water and electrical power sources within 50 feet of the slide staircase entrance, as well as the following:

1. Labor and lifting equipment (fork lift) necessary for the slide setup.

2. Shovels or other digging tools or equipment for the setup crew to use, depending on the ground conditions. Sledge hammers will be necessary for grass installs where staking is used. Stakes are included with the unit

3. Six used car tires (for beach installation only).

4. Miscellaneous accessories as desired, such as foot wash boards, operations canopy, ticketing facilities, ticketing devices etc.

If you are a seasonal location, a take down service is available upon request. An Elevation Slides LLC representative (certified FreeStyle Slides® technician and often the same rep who did your install) can come back and train your team how to take down and properly store your slide at the end of your season.

What kind of surface can a slide be installed on?

You can place the slide on the beach, grass, dirt, asphalt or concrete. The anchoring systems will vary.

What equipment is needed to set up a land slide?

Typically a bobcat or tractor with forks, as the slide bundles are shipped on pallets, as well as a crew of 6 to 8 people available for 6-8 hours depending on the slide model. Once the pallets are put in place (the first 10 minutes of the day), forks are no longer necessary.

What kind of insurance do I need?

We can guide you through the entire process and can set you up with recommended providers for both inside the United States as well as internationally.

Can you ride these slides without water?

Yes. These slides can be operated as dry slides by simply removing the 50 foot run-out extension that is used to slow down riders when wet. Dry sliding mats are available for this application.

How many people can ride these slides at one time?

For safety reasons, we do not recommend more than one rider at one time on single lane platforms. On slides where there are center dividers, two riders may go at the same time, one on each side. We strongly suggest that each owner/operator follow the safe operation guidelines outlined in the Owner’s Manual and the on site training course

As a slide owner, what can I charge for rides?

Typically, owner/operators charge between $2 to $4 for single rides, $10 to $15 for hourly passes, and $20 to $50 for unlimited all-day passes. This depends largely on your location and the type of market you are catering to. At some of the more expensive campgrounds, owners will raise there admittance by $3-$5/person per night and not charge for rides at all. Raising admittance prices or colored wristbands for single, hourly, unlimited rides are the two most popular and efficient ways to increase your location’s revenue with the use of these slides.

How many people can ride per hour?

Without pushing the safety envelope and with a consistent queue, close to 500 people/hour can ride a single lane slide, and nearly 1000 on dual lane platforms.

What’s the typical lifespan of these slides?

There are some slides out there that have been operating for over 10 years - and still going! The colors eventually fade somewhat (although Armor All® can help protect against fading). If the slide is properly cared for, it should have a useful life of at least 6 years or more.

Can I finance through Elevation Slides LLC or FreeStyle Slides®?

Neither Elevation Slides or Freestyle offer in-house financing but we will work with your finance company. 50% of the purchase price is due up front to the manufacturer then the balance plus shipping is due prior to dispatch of your slide. If you are purchasing a slide that is already in stock, payment in full plus shipping is due prior to dispatch of the slide.

What are maintenance/operating costs?

Maintenance costs are very minimal. Operating costs include insurance, staff wages, water usage, electrical usage and gasoline (if you plan on using a generator), and in some cases, a fee for land usage. Water and electrical usage are minimal (approximately $2-$3 per day combined).

How much water does the slide use and is it treated?

The average water usage is around 500 gallons a day. Your staff will only use the water on an intermittent basis to keep the slide surface wet, to wash customer’s feet, and to clean the slide once each day. No water treatment is needed because you are not recycling it.

What size generator do I need if I don’t have a power source nearby? Or if we need backup power if we some reason lose ground power?

You will need a 7,000 watt generator to cover start up and continuous running of the two 2HP air blowers.

What if we lose power all together?

If power is lost all together, you have approximately 2-minutes to safely evacuate anybody on the stairs, on the slide extensions as well as whomever is operating. If operating at the recommended pace, you’ be evacuating 9 people at the most. The people walking up the stairs simply turn around and walk back down, the people and operator at the top simply slide down the slide side. It is a drill that is practiced by everyone during your training.

How long do they take to inflate?

The larger slides (Hippo, Hipster XL, Trippo, Trippo XL) take anywhere from 12-22 minutes to fully inflate.

What is the maximum number of people allowed on the slide at one time?

As a result of their superior construction, all FreeStyle Slides® units can support thousands of pounds of weight. However, for safety reasons it is recommended for the larger slides that there be no more than 6 people on the staircase at one time and a maximum of 3 people waiting at the top, including the operator. The general rule of thumb is to keep the lines on the ground, not on the slide.

Is the water recycled?

No. The water runs off and is either absorbed into the ground or channeled to another area.

Can I use salt water on the slide?

Yes, however it is recommended that you rinse with freshwater 2-3 times/week.

How do you repair the slide if tears or leaks develop?

Your slide purchase includes a repair kit. Repair and maintenance is covered in the training program as well as in the Owner’s Manual.