From the top it looks like an ordinary waterslide. Then the chute curves sharply upwards at the bottom, and the rider is flung into the air before splashing into a deep pool. The Royal Flush at BSR Cable Park in Waco, Texas, opened in spring 2015, and its promotional video by Round III Media drew more than six million views in about a week.

Royal Flush waterslide at BSR Cable Park, Waco – video still 1

The Royal Flush: a slide built to launch riders

The Royal Flush is a three-lane "super slide" about 60 feet (18 metres) high and 120 feet (37 metres) long, with chutes of different steepness. Two of them end in upturned ramps that send riders airborne for a few moments before they drop into about 15 feet (4.6 metres) of water. BSR unveiled it to visitors in April 2015.

The slide went viral in June 2015 thanks to a slick 4K film by AJ Aguirre and Ben Hamner of Round III Media, shot from several angles. Riders had to be at least six years old, wear a life jacket and sign a waiver.

A rider airborne above the landing pool on the Royal Flush waterslide
A rider airborne above the landing area on the Royal Flush waterslide. Image: Round III Media.

Watch the Royal Flush video

The film follows a simple formula: a calm approach down the chute, a sudden launch and a flight over the turquoise pool, repeated with different riders and camera angles. It is a good example of how a short, well-edited clip can put a small Texas park on the world map.

Royal Flush waterslide at BSR Cable Park, Waco – video still 2

From BSR Cable Park to Waco Surf

The park began in 2002 as Barefoot Ski Ranch (BSR) Cable Park, a cable wakeboarding venue founded by brothers Ryan and Stuart Parsons. In 2018 it added a surf wave pool and became BSR Surf Ranch, and since new owners took over in 2021 it has traded as Waco Surf. Today it is best known for its surf lagoon, which uses PerfectSwell wave technology, and for what it calls the world's longest lazy river. On-site lodging includes cabins, hotel rooms and houses.

Visiting Waco Surf and the Wedge Slides

The launch slides now appear in the park rules as the Wedge Slides. According to the current park rules, riders must be at least 44 inches (112 cm) tall and wear a life jacket regardless of age or ability, go one at a time on the attendant's countdown, keep their arms and legs inside the rails and clear the landing zone quickly. Loose clothing and garments with metal details are not allowed, and every rider signs a waiver.

Check the operating calendar before you go: the park lists different opening hours for the surf lagoon, wave pool and other attractions, and the water park area was listed as closed for the 2026 season. Waco lies on Interstate 35 between Dallas and Austin.

For more launches and drops, compare five parks with memorable slides.

Sources

ABC30: Insane video of new water slide goes viral; Texas Monthly: The Descent of Man; Baylor Magazine: Waco Surf makes waves; Waco Surf park rules; Royal Flush video on YouTube.

Video and stills: Round III Media.