One of Colorado's Best Kept Summer Secrets: Crystal Rapids

Every summer since 1995, the year that my sister was born, meant summers away from the television and the air conditioning, outside in the glare of the Colorado sunshine. My mother wanted to invoke a new, ironic sense of relaxation into her girls. This was the year that I was introduced to Crystal Rapids Water Park.

In Loveland, Colorado, at 3601 East Eisenhower Boulevard, there lies a small, family-sized expanse of glazed white cement and sky blue waters. The size is imminently the first thing a newcomer to the Rapids is bound to notice. Crystal Rapids is no Water World-and is certainly nowhere near the size of Seaworld. The water park is just big enough for adults and teenagers to stay entertained for the day, and just small enough to safely let smaller children run around by themselves. While the multitudes of lifeguards are not babysitters (parents should, clearly, use common sense. A child below seven or eight should not be left unattended), they are kind, friendly, and dedicated to keeping all swimmers safe.

After your hand has been stamped by the ticket-taker at the front gate of Crystal Rapids, after you have passed by the restrooms and the lockers near the lifeguard's break room, it will be almost necessary to rent a blue, inflated tube for riding the rapids and slides. Crystal Rapids, similar to most other water-based amusement parks, offers a single person tube and a double person tube, which can be rented for cheap. There is even a money-back incentive if you return your tube to the field where they are stored. It is only about a dollar or two, but the kids who return the tubes to the faculty often feel rewarded for being helpful. Of course, renting a tube is never necessary, as Crystal Rapids has stacks upon stacks of yellow tubes-singles and doubles-for one-time uses per ride. The only downside to not renting a tube is not having anything to ride in the wave pool (though many will attest to "body surfing" as the way to go) and waiting for a brief moment for a float in lieu of riding a slide.

Upon tube rental, it is essential for all amusement-seekers to go nuts.

Small children, especially those below the age of five, can find hours worth of entertainment in the baby pool. With two small but fabulous and safe slides, a giant mushroom fountain, and jets to be propelled through the water by, pruned children often find themselves endlessly entertained. The west slide is the longest; it is wide and bumpy with blue padding at the bottom for safe landing. The south slide is a gentle and straight, wide as well and is also padded at the bottom. At least two lifeguards are constantly watching for the safety of children and parents are always permitted to frolic with their child.

For those out for a more grandiose water-filled adventure-though I have played witness to many teenagers happily floundering in the baby pool-a wave pool, three slides, and a volleyball court are available. The wave pool, a giant, enclosed pool reminiscent of a beach, provides tubers and bodysurfers with hours of entertainment. The waves change cycles every ten to fifteen minutes, with five to seven minutes of respite in between cycles. The types of waves also change with each cycle. One type has the waves forming giant pyramids in the center of the pool, another is plain wave after rolling wave, and another is a series of three waves one after another. When the waves are off and the pool is still, bodysurfers and tubers alike often trod their sodden ways to the "big slides" (versus the "little slides" in the kiddie pool).

There are three water slides on the west side of Crystal Rapids. After climbing a cement hill that overlooks the empty fields and Lake Loveland in the distance, sliders reach a shallow pool and decide which of the two tube slides, or the body slide, they prefer to ride. The two tube slides are full of turns, tunnels and excitement. The western-most slide is shorter, while the middle slide is longer. The body slide is also great fun, though the seams in the slide can easily catch on bikini tops' clasps and bruise other joints of the body. Patrons slide into a wide pool of water at the bottom of each slide, exit, and repeat.

Not only is Crystal Rapids one hundred percent kid approved, but it is also family friendly and wallet friendly. Though this year's rates are unknown at the current time, they are far cheaper than any Water World, Elitches, or Seaworld. Along with easily attainable discount coupons from many local grocery stores, last year's rates were only seven dollars per person. Add in a picnic lunch-as the food prices are a bit outrageous-and you're all set for a beautiful summer day at Crystal Rapids.

Enjoy!