Outdoors or In, Water Parks Are a Fun Option
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO. – More than 58 million people visited water parks throughout the U.S. in 2003, continuing a 20-year growth trend. For visitors to Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, two popular water parks -- Big Surf and Timber Falls -- offer family fun, both outdoors and indoors.

OUTDOORS: BIG SURF WATERPARK
Opened in 1988, Big Surf Waterpark attracts about 100,000 visitors a year, says Chad Rogers, director of operations. The lushly landscaped 27-acre park, just off Highway 54 on Route Y between Osage Beach and Camdenton, includes
water rides, slides and play areas. "The Wave Pool probably is our most popular attraction, along with the Space Bowl, according to our surveys," Rogers says. Added in 1992, Big Surf's Space Bowl slide was the first slide of its kind in the United States, according to Rogers. "It's a big, enclosed red and blue tube in which you spin around at a rapid speed then drop two feet into eight feet of water." He adds, "That's the only ride for which we have a 48-inch height restriction."

Little ones enjoy the Tropical Splash Island featuring 16 interactive water toys for kids age 6 and under. "We also added a baby bungee for babies to splash their feet in the water," Rogers says.

At the other extreme is Big Surf's newest addition, Zambezi Falls, designed for the thrill-seeker. The attraction is nearly four stories tall and riders experience speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. "It's definitely extreme," Rogers says. In 10 seconds riders experience free-fall, negative Gs and a feeling of weightlessness as they slide over a thin sheet of water on a single or double tube down one side and up the other. "After the first drop we always hear people shout 'Oh!' or 'Oh-something-worse,'" Rogers says.

Other attractions include Raging Rapids and Flumes and the Blue Nile Lazy River.

Visitors don't go hungry at Big Surf. "The Zebra Cantina has a great selection, from fresh salads to barbecue to ice cream," Rogers says. Adults can relax with a beer or wine cooler at The Surf Club.

Big Surf will remain open through Sept. 5, except for Aug. 21 when it will be closed for a private party. "An orthodontist from Lebanon, Mo., treats his patients to a day at Big Surf," Rogers explains. "He's done this for several years now and usually brings about 2,200 to 2,800 people. That's probably our most unique group." Last year the San Diego Padres wanted to spend a day at Big Surf "but unfortunately we were already closed for the season," Rogers adds.

Groups of 15 or more receive a reduced admission rate, with added discounts for food purchased and tubes reserved up front. A pavilion and private areas can be reserved at no charge based on availability. Another option for groups, new this year, is to book a Safari Night. "A lot of businesses enjoy this," Rogers says. "They can come in at 4:00 p.m. and enjoy the entire park until 7:00 p.m., then have a meal at a reserved area and hang out at the Wave Pool until 9:00 p.m."

Campers from Camp Sabra in Rocky Mount, Mo., have visited several times every summer for at least the past nine years. Office Manager Peggy Jones says, "The kids have a saying around here, 'Big Surf! Big Surf! Ohh! Ah!' which
means 'All right!' They really look forward to going there." Each spring, Jones makes all the arrangements for eight groups of 50-150 campers to visit the waterpark while the summer camp is in session. "The Big Surf staff is great,"
Jones says. "They are so easy to work with."

Big Surf day rates are $21.95 for Surfers (age 11-59), $16.95 for Junior Surfers (age 4-10), $6.95 for Senior Surfers (age 60+); or free for age 3 and under. Day rates including two hours at Big Shot Amusement Park are $39.95
for Surfers, $34.95 for Junior Surfers. The park supplies the tubes required for particular rides. Parking is free.
Area lodging facilities offer a variety of value-priced packages that include accommodations and passes to Big Surf Waterpark. Participating resorts include The Resort at Port Arrowhead, The Lodge of Four Seasons, Dogwood Hills
Best Western Resort and the Inn at Grand Glaize.

"The cool, wet summers of 2002 and 2003 were pretty rough but this year is going much better," Rogers says. "If this keeps up we could look into adding some new attractions."

INDOORS: TIMBER FALLS WATERPARK
Timber Falls Waterpark at Tan-Tar-A Resort opened in November, 2003, on the former site of the resort's indoor tennis courts. The central feature is the three-story "Ozark wilderness" tree house complete with suspension bridges,
tunnels and water blasters - topped with a six-foot-wide wooden bucket that tips over about every two minutes and spills out 700 gallons of water.

Visitors also scream with delight experiencing Timber Falls' 600-plus feet of water slides, including two that actually wind outside the building then wind back in before dropping sliders into the pool. Other highlights include an activity pool with water basketball, a 21-seat whirlpool and a Lazy River for relaxing tube floating. Locker rooms, seating and a full range of concessions also are available.

"We've had close to 50,000 visitors to Timber Falls since it opened," says Fred Dehner, general manager at Tan-Tar-A. "It's been a wonderful addition to the hotel and has helped attract more overnight guests, who also enjoy our restaurants and other indoor activities like our popular Bear's Den Arcade and bowling alley."

Dehner says Timber Falls' best month has been March. "That includes all the spring breaks," he says. The next-busiest time is July and August, when families naturally are at the resort, followed by the week between Christmas and New Year's. "That's a very popular period because we offer a special New Year's Eve family package including overnight accommodations and we keep Timber Falls open until midnight on New Year's Eve."

The water park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays plus holidays and spring break the rest of the year. It can be reserved for private parties.

Admission fees are $15 per person for hotel guests, $20 per person for non-guests. Age two and under are free. Special rates are available for birthday parties.

Looking ahead, "Timber Falls was designed in a way it could be expanded if we decide to do that," Dehner says. For now, however, visitors agree it's great the way it is. "The slides are awesome, especially the one that goes outside and comes back in. That's something kind of different," says recent visitor Max Droog, 14, of Swiss, Missouri. "The big bucket that dumps water on you is cool too."

Even Dehner takes time to check out Timber Falls with two experts, his four-year-old twin daughters. "I go there with them at least once a week," he says, "and we always have a blast. "

For more details on Big Surf Waterpark, call 573-346-6111 or visit www.bigsurfwaterpark.com. To contact Tan-Tar-A about Timber Falls information, call 800-TAN-TARA or visit www.tan-tar-a.com.

To learn about all the attractions, activities, events, dining and lodging at the Lake, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE or go online to www.funlake.com.