Inclement Weather
Unfortunately, one aspect of special event management that we all have no control over, is the weather. There's always the risk that outdoor events are effected by inclement weather. Ride operators do their best to remain open for as long as possible, however the health and safety of our passengers is paramount, and temporarily ride closures do happen during certain adverse weather conditions.
Weather forecasting has become more accurate and reliable over the years, which helps us prepare for adverse conditions, and make the necessary safety decisions.
Passing Showers
Passing showers are a minor hindrance to the operation of amusement rides. Apart from Dodgem Cars, which are supplied with a full vinyl roof cover enabling all-weather operation, most mechanical and inflatable amusement rides temporarily close during showers that last longer than a few minutes.
The instant closure of the Super Slide is critical, as the slide surface and sliding mats must be dry to operate effectively. Once damp, the mats cease to slide, which becomes a safety issue.
Once showers have passed, ride operators will towel dry the attraction, then reopen the ride when safe.
Constant Rain
Rides will close during light/heavy rain, and will not reopen until the weather improves and the rain has stopped. The ride then must be towel dried to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.
Strong Winds
Windy weather is another uncomfortable inclement weather condition that presents health and safety risks. In South East qld, our strongest winds generally come from the west, either seasonally during August and September, or following a storm as the weather front moves out to sea.
Strong winds are of particular concern in the operation of inflatables including Jumping Castles, Slides and obstacle courses. Depending on the design, location, and type of anchoring (pegging, weights etc), winds become an issue when in the range of 30-38 km. Under such conditions, trees are beginning to bend, branches dislodge and popup marquees become difficult to secure. Once we reach this point, it's time to deflate the Jumping Castle and cease operations until the wind subsides.
High Mechanical rides such as the Super Slide, Whirlwind, Bat Tower, Miami Trip and Round Up cannot operate in extremely windy conditions. Once winds reach 35 km, there becomes a risk to public of flying debris stalls, tree branches, pop up stalls etc, and it may be advisable to close the event.
Extreme Hot Weather
During extremely hot weather where temperatures exceed 30 degrees, some rides in direct sun become too hot to sit on. Our Jumping Castles all feature shadecloth roofs which offer some sun protection, however exposes areas including the step get very hot.
If the weather if forecast to be hot, we do our best to face the rides away from the sun, or set up under the shade of trees. As with wet weather, Dodgem Cars offer respite from extreme weather due to their built-in vinyl roof.
The days of families spending their Saturdays or Sundays standing in the middle of an oval on a hot day are long gone. Occassionally, during September, we do get the odd hot day where temperatures exceed 30 degrees. From October onwards, it's advisable to hold outdoor special events during the twilight hours of mid afternoon to early evening. Crowds are then treated to that fabulous carnival/party atmosphere that everyone enjoys.
