For years, thousands of thrillseekers have thrown themselves down their dark and twisty bends, but how do staff know the flumes at Inverness Leisure are safe to use?
Well, now High Life Highland has provided the answers.
The leisure provider has released a short TikTok video explaining the vigorous checks staff make each morning.
Checking flumes is ‘one of the more unique tasks’
In the behind the scenes footage, we can see staff donning ropes and harnesses to make sure it’s safe.
@hlhsocial Have you ever wondered how our lifeguards make sure the flumes are safe to use? #inverness #invernessleisure #flumes #waterslide
Inverness Leisure manager Steve Clelland explains: “The team have to check the flumes daily to ensure that they are safe for people to use.
“Because of the varying gradients, we have to use different methods to make sure they’re good to go at the start of each morning.
“For the Cyclone and Vortex, team members climb up and crawl down the tubes, checking from top to bottom for any damage, vandalism or wear and tear that could cause accidents or injury.
“With the Ness Monster flume, a different method is required due to the steep design. Two people will abseil down to ensure that all areas are thoroughly checked.
“The staff work together so one goes down and the other is safety cover.
“It’s definitely one of the more unique tasks that our team members get to do on a daily basis.”
‘Safety is paramount’
Staff are only allowed to carry out the task after being signed off by a climbing expert.
Mr Clelland added: “The training is delivered by our climbing wall technical advisor Pete Hill who ensures that everyone who carries out the work is competent before we let them loose on the flumes.
“Safety is paramount at Inverness Leisure in all the facilities we offer, but we know the flumes are one of the highlights for our customers who love the speed of the cyclone and the thrill of the drop in the Ness Monster.”
