Summer Ain’t Over Yet at the Water Parks

Every time I angle for an invite to any of my friends’ swim clubs, they all look at me like I’ve gone off the deep end and cracked my head on the side of my diving board.

They ask, “Why on earth would you want to leave a perfectly good pool?!!”

Thing is, as most pool owners know, this summer I’ve already hosted 7 BBQ’S and 2 dozen swimdates, plus spent countless hours supervising my own kids out back. By the time August rolls around, they and I are ready for a change of aquatic scenery.

So last Thursday, we decided to hit Runaway Rapids for a little water action that wouldn’t involve me serving snacks or having to launder every towel I own.  As we pulled up to the water park, which is right across the street from Keansburg Amusement Park, we could see the towering water slides that loom over the horizon like giant sea serpents.

Jack eyed them nervously and said, “I don’t have to go on those, do I?”

At that moment, I did what any parent who was about to shell out $23.95 for a three-hour session would do. I lied.

I just wanted to get him through the gate without having a panic attack, and figured I’d warm him up slowly with small slides in the kiddie play area before dragging him, kicking and screaming, up the massive staircase to Mountain Blast. After all, huge water slides like that one were precisely why we were there. If I wanted the kids to just splash around in some sprinklers, we would’ve gone to Grandma’s.

Regardless, the super fun kiddie splash zone was a nice place to get the day started. It’s like Dorbrook’s sprayground on steroids, with climbing structures, winding tunnels and playground-sized water slides too. Luke, Jack, Nina and I were there with my friend Lu and her three children, and though ages ranged from 3 on up to 8, there was something for everyone to do.

As Lu and I spread out to keep track of them all like air traffic controllers, I cursed our unfair odds: two Moms, six kids. It would have been smart to bribe a teenage niece and bring her along for extra coverage. Next time, I’ll do that, or make my husband play hooky.

Full disclosure: the place was crowded. Especially since we made the rookie mistake of getting there mid-day, when the day camps were still around and the late sleepers were just showing up. Usually I’m a notorious early bird. I help the park ranger’s unlock the gate at Dorbrook just so my kids can get in some peaceful playtime before the masses descend like Caddy Hour at the Bushwood Country Club Pool (from the movie Caddyshack. Google it).

Mind you, Runaway Rapids wasn’t so obscenely packed as to be a deterrent. It’s just that I’m the type who goes to Great Adventure on a 100 degree day to avoid long lines. We even take our annual vacation to Myrtle Beach the last week of August, when the kids are back in school, so just we don’t have to see any, you know, people.

That afternoon, I really learned a lesson on patience from the kids. As we waited our turn for the big slides, they were all so full of anticipation and excitement. They weren’t thinking about how cold and wet they were (like I was), or whining that the line was 20 people deep. They were just happy to be there.

True, Jack was still a little worried that he was going to fall off the super steep, doublewide Mountain Blast slide, but at least I’d convinced him to try it. When we finally reached the top of the stairs, he and I plopped down in our two-person tube and I held on to my hat for dear life. The attendant gave us a push, and suddenly we were soaring downhill in a splash of wind, water and speed.

It was awesome. Jack laughed the whole way and gave me a high five at the bottom. And it was just the thrill I needed to revert back to being a kid and start having fun too.

By 3 pm, the crowd had thinned and lines were moving much quicker. We did a few laps in the lazy river, downed more water slides, and relaxed in the hot tubs in between.

Why would I leave a perfectly good pool? Why wouldn’t I?

The kids and I know how lucky we are to have water in our own yard, and believe me, we enjoy it plenty. But ours is not the only water hole in town, and it wouldn’t be summer without some daytripping.

There are still 16 days until Labor Day. Get out there and soak up every drop of fun you can.

THE DETAILS:
Runaway Rapids Waterpark 275 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg,
NJ 07747
(732) 495-5300
Park: In the $5 lot behind the amusement park

Also Visit: Hurricane Harbor, Jackson, NJ; Breakwater Beach, Seaside Heights, NJ