Miamis

The Miami ride concept dates to 1978 and production of the Scheibenwischer-Welle (windscreen wiper wave) in Holland. The ride featured a bench of forward-facing seats supported each end by arms that drove the bench in a vertical circle in either direction and at a speed determined by the operator. Dutch showmen and a number of small ride manufacturers, vying for a share of the market against German manufacturers, initially developed the concept to produce a large ride similar to a Flying Carpet. Development was bought full-circle when Dutch showman Gerrit Tegelaar built a compact version in 1982 called Topper, which was subsequently sold to the Kroon family who rebuilt it with forward-facing seats and renamed it Disco Swing. This ride is considered the first Miami.

Isje Kroon built an improved version called Tropical Trip in 1988, before going on to develop his own company, KMG. Kroon built another ride the following year, which he called Miami Trip. That ride travelled UK fairs where the design and namesake were firmly established.

Miami rides enjoyed limited success at Dutch fairgrounds. However, the ride’s popularity in the UK went from strength to strength during the early 90s, and a variety of UK manufacturers, including Rutland Productions, Fairmatt and Emmett, struggled to meet demand from showmen. Showmen appreciate the compact ride design that can be packed into a single trailer, that is easy to set up and is popular with visitors. Riders appreciate the fast ride, which may feature air-time as the bench swings up and over the highest point at top speed, and the typically flamboyant operation and decoration.

Over 100 Miami rides have been built in the UK. Despite this, their domain is firmly travelling fairs and few have been installed at amusement parks. Just two have operated at Pleasure Beach, each for only one season. 

Shake-It
This ride was built in the UK by K. T. Enterprises. It operated at Pleasure Beach throughout the 1997 season. It then toured fairs with showman John Armitage before leaving the UK. It is now with Dutch showman Oppedijk-van Veen.

Shake-It at Pleasure Beach in 1997. Credit: Archant.

Outrage

This ride was built by Fairmatt in 1992 and has been owned by showman Joe White since. Artwork is by a Paul Wright, and is typical of the club scene which features prominently in current travelling fair artwork. It arrived at Pleasure Beach in 2011 on loan for the season as stand-in for Orbiter, which had been at the park since 2009 but was unavailable that year. Outrage was returned to White at the end of the season and Orbiter made one last appearance the following year.

Outrage at Pleasure Beach in 2011.

Paul Wright's artwork on Outrage in 2011.Credit: Pleasure & Leisure Corporation Ltd.

The ride control panel and view from the control box.