What will you think about while mid-air, high above the waves and preparing to hit the water with an almighty splash?
How about, “I need to do this again!”
The jumping pillow, perhaps the most popular attraction at Splish Splash Water Park at Colert Beach, works as a safe yet exhilarating catapult that launches lifejacket-wearing participants as high as their friends, who jump on the opposite end, can send them.
“It’s pretty much a giant, long bean bag where a person sits on one end while one or two others jump down on the other end from a high cliff,” explains Marshall Champagne. “The person on the end gets launched into the air, doing multiple flips if they’re trying to, and just hoping they don’t belly flop.”
Champagne, who initially debuted his Splish Splash Water Park in Minnedosa, north of Brandon, brought the setup to Colert Beach in June and has enjoyed seeing how residents of Morden, Winkler and the surrounding area have taken to the open water obstacle course.
“We like the community, and we like how the community likes us,” he says. “We’ve had women in their sixties and kids as young as five, and I haven’t had one complaint.”
While the waterpark can be as adrenaline-inducing as users want, beach-goers of all ages have kept coming back because it’s a safe environment. Upon arrival at Splish Splash, they receive a wristband and a mandatory life jacket. A lifeguard is always on duty, and a rope connects each component of the course so swimmers of every ability can take part in the fun.
In addition to the jumping pillow, the park features trampolines, slides (including a giant slide), jungle bars and other components and obstacles. Champagne is also able to transfer pieces of the course from, and to, the Minnedosa park to keep the experience fun and fresh.
Sessions are timed to ensure everyone who wants to can access Splish Splash Water Park, with 1-hour wristbands costing just $18. Those wishing to stay longer can save on additional hours, with 1.5-hour wristbands priced at $22 and 2-hour sessions at $24. Then there’s the $32 day pass, which is reduced to $25 for those 9 years old and younger.
“If you’re planning to be at the beach all day, I’d recommend just getting the day pass so you can go on and off as much as you like,” Champagne says, adding that 5pm-8:30pm evening passes cost only $20.
Group bookings and birthday parties are also available.
“If you have 15 people or more, you get 20% off,” says Champagne. “Just give us a call in advance so we know to schedule the right number of lifeguards.”
Parties and other private bookings can be reserved in the hour before the park officially opens at noon.
“We have a lot of birthday parties in the mornings, so you just have the park to yourself,” he says. “And then it’s pretty cheap to expand it to the rest of the day if you want.”
Champagne says he’s always on the lookout for further expansion opportunities, but he thinks he’s found a perfect spot in the Lake Minnewasta Recreation Area.
He can be reached for group bookings and other questions at (431) 774-7275 or by emailing morden@splishsplashwaterpark.com. He emphasizes that individual beach-goers, families and other small groups do not need to book in advance.
“You’re guaranteed to get on no matter what,” he says. “As soon as you show up, we can get you out to the park.”
Additional information can be found on the Splish Splash Water Park website.
