Rapids Waterpark will replace 'Old Yellar' slide with first dueling water coaster ride in Florida

If you've got a need for speed and are ready to battle for waterslide supremacy (in a fun way), there's something wet and extra wild to look forward to at Rapids Waterpark.

Get ready to drop the hammer as MEGA MAYHEM is coming in 2023!

Designed and manufactured by ProSlide Technology out of Canada, and technically known as their Dueling PIPELine Blast/Flying SAUCER20 model, this will be the first dueling water coaster ride in Florida and one of only six in the world.

Impressive in many ways, it will stand nearly six stories high and have dueling lanes that, at 837 feet, are almost as long as an aircraft carrier.

Riders are propelled uphill on new water coaster ride at Rapids Waterpark

Featuring twists, tunnels and high-banked turns, the flumes will also have sections where riders are actually propelled uphill by a unique jet-propulsion blast system.

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Though there are turns, dips and drops, let's talk speed. Need it? MEGA MAYHEM's got it! Riders will accelerate to 22 mph along certain portions!

The ride features two-person floating tubes that are released down the two flumes at the exact same time.

You are racing whether you want to or not — so don't be afraid to go full Ricky Bobby and need that speed.

Want to know how your competitors are doing in the flume next to you? (It is a dueling coaster, just sayin'.) In some stretches, only low walls separate the two, so you can see the other riders. (And if you're super competitive and quick, you may have a sec for some speedy, but friendly, smack talk).

“We are taking fun to a whole new level," stated Bryan Megrath, the park's general manager. “The Rapids is excited to add this multimillion-dollar ride to our park experience and continue bringing the biggest thrills to South Florida."

The new ride will be built on the site of the dearly departed "Old Yellar" slide and is expected to be up and running sometime in the spring of 2023.

RELATED: Rapids original flume "Old Yellar" going away

Though the departed "Old Yellar" will never be forgotten, time and a few dozen high-speed runs down MEGA MAYHEM  are likely to ease that pain.

The park is currently open weekends only and also will be open the week of Thanksgiving, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day itself.

Rapids will close for the season on Nov. 27 and reopen in mid-March for spring break.

Rapids Waterpark is South Florida’s premier water park featuring over 35-acres of fun and over 40 slides and attractions. The park includes a quarter-mile lazy river, 25,000 square foot wave pool, FlowRider surf simulator, kids’ structure with tipping bucket, body slides, mat racer, tube slides and raft rides for the whole family. Rapids Waterpark has been voted USA TODAY 10 Best Outdoor Water Park.

Rapids Waterpark's MEGA MAYHEM, Dueling Water Coaster

Address: Rapids Waterpark, 6566 N. Military Trail, Riviera Beach

When: Spring 2023

Information: www.rapidswaterpark.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He has lived in the West Palm Beach area for more than 30 years and, from mild to wild, will cover noteworthy community happenings.You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.