Beware the monster slide?

The Press reports:

A giant slip n slide event which drew 3000 people to Sumner yesterday descended into chaos as unhappy customers spent up to two and a half hours queuing to get a turn.

Concerns about safety were also raised and a 54-year-old man was taken to Christchurch Hospital by the Westpac rescue helicopter  with suspected spinal injuries after being knocked over by another slider at the bottom of the 250-metre slide.

The Christchurch Monster Slide event was the first of a series being held around New Zealand, with another one scheduled for Nelson today. 

Ticket prices varied from $15 for three slides up to $99 for 10 slides and special lane access.

Waiting two and a half hours for a go is not anyone’s idea of fun. It should not be difficult for them to work out the maximum number of tickets to sell, to ensure that queues are manageable.

Also the ticket prices are misleading. I purchased tickets for the Wellington event and on top of the advertised fee, you also have to pay a booking fee, compulsory insurance and a credit card fee. That increases the price by a staggering 50% or so.

Half of the Christchurch event’s 40 volunteer slide marshalls had not turned up which Templeton said had put a lot of pressure on the existing staff.

He was considering employing marshall volunteers for future events.

You’re raking in money from selling tickets/ Damn right you should hire staff rather than depend on volunteers.