Slip sliding down the Terrace

It may not have been a smooth ride to start with but when the water finally started to flowed, Australia’s first pop-up water slide proved a big hit in Perth.

Promoters, who brought the Winterland skating attraction to the Cultural Centre this year, had a bumpy start to the day brought about by technical problems and long delays to get on the attraction.

Set up against a backdrop of high-rise buildings on St Georges Terrace, Slidestreet brought a backyard tradition and 20,000 inflatable tubes into the city centre.

A broken pump shut down one lane of the slide in the morning, leaving people waiting for hours in a queue longer than the 315m ride.

People queue for Slidestreet. Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian

Slidestreet’s Janelle Morse insisted the day was still a success. despite the early hiccups. “Everyone seems to be having a really good time,” she said.

“Those who actually go down the slide have got big smiles on their faces and there are lots of squeals of delight.”

The set up for Slidestreet began at 1am yesterday and took about eight hours.

About 8000 people bought tickets for the event but organisers were expecting up to 20,000 spectators.

Richard Holmes of Greenwood after having fun at the Slidestreet in St George's Terrace, Perth, with his children, Ella, nine and Wyatt, six. Picture: nic Ellis/The West Australian

After two hours in the queue, Richard Holmes launched himself lined up for almost two hours before launching himself down the Terrace with his children, nine-year-old Ella and Wyatt, 6. Ella could not wipe the smile off her face.

“It’s fun and we like the adrenaline rush,” Mr Holmes said.

“We got here at 8.30am and the line was already all the way down the slide and starting to go back up.”

The amount of water used on the ride is equivalent to about 300 average showers. The water is later re-purposed and used by other industries and local councils.

Eager ticketholders began lining up at the slide at 7am after trekking through the city in their bathers and board shorts.

Rachel Mizen arrived about midday and managed to get three rides in before she left to go to her wedding rehearsal.

The 24-year-old said she bought a ticket because it was the first time the slide had been set up in Perth.

“It goes really quick but it was awesome,” she said.

The City of Perth provided $25,000 in sponsorship for the event, which was run by a private contractor.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the event was a good economic driver for the city, describing it as money well spent.

The Terrace became a water playground. Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian

The slide will be set up each Sunday in Fremantle until January 11.

Those who experienced delays during early sessions yesterday will be offered free rides on the slide when it pops up on Essex Street.

Mosman Park resident Lewis Marshall travelled to Perth around midday to have a go on the slide with his family.

He said he only had to wait about 20 minutes before taking his turn.

"You had to launch yourself down it and then you just keep going quite fast," he said.

"It's great fun. It's worth doing."