Sheikra
Busch Gardens, Tampa has a new roller coaster. It’s called Sheikra, and it is crazy. What’s funny, is that it doesn’t look that impressive from the ground. The thing is 8 people wide, and the track is huge, but my mind was telling me that it was a normal sized track, so from the ground, it just looked really slow, and the first drop didn’t look too big.
As it turns out, it’s the tallest roller coaster in the state at 200 feet tall. The initial drop is a 90°, 70mph plunge that’ll make you forget your gender. Maybe I should start at the beginning…
The wait was not bad at all for a Friday afternoon. I think the wait was about 30 minutes both times Sarah and I went on it. The ride is pretty short, and 2 coasters can be loaded at once, so the turnaround is pretty quick. The coasters consist of 3 rows of 8 seats. There is no separate line for the front row, it’s luck of the draw. Obviously, the front row is coveted, so Busch Gardens had posted employees out there to herd people equitably. You have a 1/3 chance of getting in the front row, but there was no arguing if you weren’t so lucky. Of course, with only 3 rows, the benefit of the front row is lessened.
After coming out of the station, you begin your 200 foot ascent. I’m not sure of the angle that you go up, but it’s way more than 45°. It’s probably closer to 70°. You feel like you’re on your back. At the top, you are greeted with a spectacular view of the north Tampa area. To the south you can see the sky scrapers of downtown Tampa, and the other roller coasters look like little toys. Don’t get too enamored though, because before you know it, the coaster is tilting forward and getting ready to drop. But it doest. It pauses at the top of the drop, tilting you forward about 60°. From that view, the drop looks like more than 90° Then, without warning, you drop.
Oh… my… Lord. 200 feet at 70mph going straight down. It takes your breath away. At the bottom, you are rocketed back up, delivering some impressive downward g-forces. The twist-loop provides upward g-forces, and then you go into a sweeping left turn that once again shoves you down into your seat. Next up, a 138 foot dive (also 90°, I believe) into a tunnel, and under a body of water. Honestly, this drop is almost as good as the first one because of the added excitement of plunging into darkness. After emerging, you make a lazy 180 turn, and head towards a body of water (the one you just went under). This part is really cool to see as an observer. As the coaster skims over the water, tubes on the underside of the coaster scoop up water and send it shooting behind the coaster in two perfectly formed arcs. There are literally hundreds of gallons of water floating through the air behind the coaster in perfect shape. As the coaster speeds out of the water, the arcs of water come crashing down on the onlookers. It’s mesmerizing.
The ride is short, but the view, the two drops, and the awesome water effects make it well worth it. Highly recommended.
And as a side note related to Busch Gardens, “Budweiser Select” is actually really good… and not just because it was free.
