New SeaWorld San Diego Roller Coaster Opens On Friday

SAN DIEGO -- On Friday, SeaWorld San Diego opens its newest roller coaster, a 32-passenger ride along a figure-eight track called the Tidal Twister. joining the park's two other roller coasters, Electric Eel and Manta.

The new coaster's located adjacent to the Aquaria touch tank and aquarium.

The theme park first announced the Tidal Twister in October. It is described as a horizontal roller coaster with two 16-passenger trains accelerating to 30 mph in opposite directions. Florida-based ride manufacturer Skyline Attractions designed the ride.

``There is no other coaster experience in the world like Tidal Twister,'' the theme park's president, Marilyn Hannes, said. ``The two trains duel one another so that guests will see the excitement on the faces of other riders. They'll almost feel like they can reach out and touch each other.''

The ride also includes elements encouraging aquatic conservation and sustainability from Rising Tide Conservation, the park's collaborative aquaculture research effort. Rising Tide focuses on promoting sustainable alternatives to the harvesting of wild fish, which can damage the coral reefs in which they live, according to SeaWorld.

City News Service contributed to this report.