SANTA CRUZ, CA (June 3, 2009) – At 85, the Santa Cruz Giant Dipper is the oldest roller coaster on the west coast of the United States; the 5th oldest in the country, and the 9th oldest in the entire world. The famous coaster's 85th anniversary will be celebrated on June 13, 2009 with a huge "Fireworks Spectacular" at 9pm on the beach in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk seaside amusement park. Admission is free.
The Giant Dipper wooden coaster has operated continuously in its original location on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk since 1924. More than 55 million riders have enjoyed a bone-shaking ride on the classic wooden coaster which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
The Giant Dipper was built by Arthur Looff, son of the craftsman who carved the Boardwalk's wooden carousel horses, Charles I.D. Looff. When Arthur Looff created the Giant Dipper, he envisioned a giant wooden coaster that had, in his words, "the thrill of a plunge down a mine shaft, a balloon ascent, a parachute jump, airplane acrobatics, a cyclone, a toboggan ride, and a ship in a storm."
The Giant Dipper was built in just 47 days at a cost of $50,000. The design is very basic: an electric motor propels a huge leather-belted wheel which in turn moves a large chain that pulls the coaster train up the first big hill. The sound of the heavy chain as it works the ride up the steep hill provides an old-school sound effect unique to vintage coasters. After that first uphill climb, the rest is all gravity.
Unique features of the Boardwalk's Giant Dipper include the train whistle as the ride sets off, and the drop into a twisting dark tunnel at the start of the ride. Some experienced riders claim that the ride runs faster on warm days when the sun heats the grease along the steel tracks. And if it feels like the tail end of the ride might leave the tracks, it actually does. Although perfectly safe and secured by a metal rail, a very slight lift does occur towards the back of the ride as it whips around.
When the ride first opened, the fare was just 15 cents; today it's $4.50 for a one-ride ticket. Major motion pictures featuring the Giant Dipper include "Sting II," "The Lost Boys," "Dangerous Minds," and Clint Eastwood's "Sudden Impact," as well as numerous television productions.
The distinctive wooden red and white curves of the Giant Dipper set along Monterey Bay are synonymous with Santa Cruz and the clickity-clack of the seaside gem is one of the most memorable sounds of summer. A favorite of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), the Dipper was awarded a "Roller Coaster Landmark" plaque by the group in 2007.
The Giant Dipper's unique moves and setting have inspired excitement in many people. Legendary San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen once described the Giant Dipper, "...the great roller coaster arose amid screams above the golden strand of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk ... a tooth-loosener, eyeball-popper, and one long shriek."
While not the tallest or fastest coaster in California, the Giant Dipper is the oldest, the most beloved, and arguably the best.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk seaside amusement park celebrated its centennial in 2007; the park's oldest ride is the 98-year old Looff Carousel.
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References:
List of the World's Oldest Roller Coasters from
The National Amusement Park Historical Association Coasters
www.napha.org
1. Leap-the-Dips, Lakemont Park, Altoona, PA 1902
2. Scenic Railway, Melbourne, Australia 1912
3. Rutschbanen, Tivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark 1914
4. tie Jack Rabbit, Sea Breeze Park, Rochester, NY 1920
4. tie Scenic Railway, Dreamland, Margate, UK 1920
6. tie Jack Rabbit, Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA 1921
6. tie Roller Coaster, Lagoon, Farmington, UT 1921
8. tie Big Dipper, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, UK 1923
8. tie Zippin Pippin, Libertyland, Memphis, TN 1923* (currently not operating)
10. Giant Dipper, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA 1924
11. tie Big Dipper, Geauga Lake, Aurora, OH 1925 (currently not operating)
11. tie Giant Dipper, Belmont Park, San Diego, CA 1925
13. tie Wildcat, Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT 1927
13. tie Giant Coaster, Arnolds Park, Arnolds Park, IA 1927
13. tie Cyclone, Astroland - Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY 1927
13. tie Racer, Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA 1927
17. Little Dipper, Playland, Rye, NJ 1928
18. Dragon Coaster, Playland, Rye, NY 1929
* Operated at another location prior to 1923.
Giant Dipper Facts
http://beachboardwalk.com/03_press_giantdipper_facts.html
American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE)
http://www.aceonline.org
About the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features both modern and classic thrill rides, restaurants, miniature golf, video game arcades, and family bowling located on a mile of sandy beach. Named the world's Best Seaside Amusement Park by industry experts in 2007 and 2008, the Boardwalk is home to 2 National Historic Landmarks.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is located at 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
For general information, call (831) 426-7433 or (831) 423-5590, email guest.services@beachboardwalk.com or visit www.beachboardwalk.com
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