Insane, 17-Story Water Slide to Open in Kansas

Up until now, the world's tallest water slide has been Brazil's "Insano," at 134.5 feet; those who brave it travel at speeds of 65mph. But a new attraction at a Kansas water park will apparently dwarf those figures. Schlitterbahn park is keeping a lid on the exact height and speed of the under-construction Verruckt Meg-A-Blaster, USA Today reports. But it will be about 17 stories high, reports the Kansas City Star, which notes a "measuring event" will take place in advance of the slide's May 23 opening. Verruckt is German for "insane," which is what you might have to be to ride the thing. (Indeed, a promotional video asks "R U Insane?")

It's "going to be a game-changer for our industry," says a park co-owner. "Our greatest challenge will be to find thrill seekers brave enough to ride." And brave enough to climb the slide's 264 steps, to the top of a tower made from chopped-up railroad tanker cars, before descending in a four-person inflatable raft. Even after the initial descent, the thrills continue: There's an extra hump at the bottom, Gawker notes via MidwestInfoGuide. Adds another park spokesperson: "We have always been family friendly, but this will attract those adrenaline junkies." Many more photos here. (More Kansas stories.)