It’s been known for several months that Six Flags Over Georgia will open this spring with a new family thrill attraction – Georgia Surfer. However, the surf’s no longer up in Georgia as the park has given the attraction a new name – Georgia Gold Rusher – along with a new backstory!
Manufactured by Intamin, the first-of-its-kind ride combines high-speed adventure and soaring elevation with free-spinning gondola seating and dynamic water features.
“Georgia Gold Rusher hearkens back to a nostalgic era of our park, where thematic storytelling was at the forefront of everything we did,” said General Manager Greg Fuller. “This revolutionary attraction and the investments made throughout the park will help enhance our guest experience around every turn.”
Unique ride elements include:
- Spinning gondola seating with guests facing outward
- 590 feet of U-shaped track
- Multiple high-speed launches
- Speeds of up to 60 miles per hour
- 144-foot peak
- Dynamic water element featuring a scenic splash
Inspired by Georgia’s historic 1885 gold rush, Georgia Gold Rusher introduces guests to the eccentric prospector William “Willy” Gibson—a clever, young entrepreneur with a mischievous streak—and brings a rich new narrative to this exciting experience.
The story of Gibson and his hydraulic mining machine, told by immersive theming and scenic elements like a mining sled and mine cart as well as additional décor and signage, extends beyond the ride itself and integrates seamlessly into the Lickskillet section of the park. Lickskillet, which was the park’s first major expansion in 1968, calls back to the mining towns of old.
According to Six Flags lore,
“There’s gold in them thar hills!” Georgia’s gold rush in the 1880s brought prospectors from far and wide to extract the precious ore. One such miner was William “Willy” Gibson, a young, smart entrepreneur with a wily streak.
With thoughts of “work smarter, not harder,” Gibson figured out a way to avoid the hard work of manual labor to mine gold. He used a steam-powered hydraulic excavator. The giant machine slugged forward and backward through a huge water reservoir, twisting and turning the dirt below with the hopes of loosening valuable gold from the soil. It worked beautifully—and offered folks a refreshing treat, too.
Sometimes when townspeople needed a break from the hot Georgia sun, Gibson let them cool off with a thrilling spin on the machine. Riders enjoyed refreshing mist of water as the mining sled careened up and down the U-shaped track.
Originally announced with the name Georgia Surfer, Georgia Gold Rusher’s new name and reimagined theming is part of the park’s renewed investment in overall guest experience. Enhancements in dining, décor, storytelling, retail and park décor will accompany the new attraction in beloved areas of the park, including Lickskillet, Retro USA and Promenade.
Guess we know where that “Georgia Gold Rusher” trademark is headed!
For more information, be sure to visit Six Flags Over Georgia’s website and follow the park on social media. Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram
Speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, 144-foot peak…. nice