The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions included a waterparks pioneer among this year’s Hall of Fame inductees.
Frederick Langford, of WaterWorld Products in Cape May Court House, N.J. was cited by IAAPA as an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to the global attractions industry. IAAPA counts this as its most prestigious honor.
“We are deeply proud to welcome these outstanding industry leaders into the IAAPA Hall of Fame,” said Michael Collins, 2019 chairman of the IAAPA Hall of Fame and Archives Committee and, senior partner, Leisure Development Partners, LLP. “[They] truly embody what the attractions industry represents — ingenuity, creativity, passion, and leadership. We are honored by their commitment and contributions.”
Said IAAPA: “Langford is an architect, inventor, designer, and dreamer, and is considered by many to be the creator of the modern day water slide. Fred’s work has been recognized throughout the global attractions industry as the gold standard for water slide design. He holds multiple patents, and he was the first to use fiberglass in water slide construction, replacing the standard use of concrete. His innovations have become the foundation of elevated water slides in water parks around the world. Fred also invented self-supporting beams which allow water slides to be longer, providing guests with an experience that feels more like a roller coaster ride.”