Polin’s patented technologies, extensive R&D and creative flair have made it one of the world’s leading waterpark design and manufacturing companies. Director of marketing and communications Sohret Pakis tells the story
How has Polin developed in recent years? Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of waterparks, waterslides and waterplay attractions. To date, Polin Waterparks has designed and installed more than 2,500 waterparks in 100 countries around the world. We are a growing company in terms of numbers, plant capacity, turnover, number of projects, number of countries, awards and brand awareness.
We’ve worked with a wide variety of clients, installing the first waterparks in many countries and award-winning rides at parks with world-renowned reputations.
Which projects stand out? Cartoon Network Amazone in Thailand was a game-changing project for us. Polin themed each and every waterslide in the internationally branded water theme park and received the WWA Leading Edge Award.
King Cobra is a great example of a themed waterslide that’s a game-changing concept in the industry. It has won many awards, including Best Waterslide in Europe in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
What projects should we look out for? We have many installations opening in 2016, including Amaazia Waterpark in Surat, India; Paradis des Zibanes in Biskra, Algeria; Mega Fun Waterpark in Anji, China; Blueland Waterpark in Chittagong Port, Bangladesh; Harmony of the Seas Cruise Waterpark and many more.
What is your signature product? In terms of technologies, RTM closed-moulding manufacturing (Resin Transfer Molding) has been pioneered by Polin since 2006. The technique has many advantages, not only creating the best-looking slides with a perfectly smooth and shiny finish on both sides, but also producing stronger, lighter slides in less time and with less waste. Today the industry is heading toward closed-moulding as the leading technology displaces the conventional or traditional methods. Plus, we offer our patented NLE, SPE, and translucent rides in RTM.
Our newest signature rides are especially exciting. These new offerings present unparalleled design, intense rider experiences and creative theming. King Cobra is the first waterslide to offer a theme built into its fibreglass design. And it doesn’t have to be based on a cobra – we’re creating a dragon-themed version for a project in China and a ship-themed one for a project in Indonesia.
Polin offers combo and hybrid options, with multiple slide experiences in one ride.
What is the latest development from Polin R&D? We’ve created seven new design options that can be customised for each specific project. The options are Graffiti, Mosaic, Triangulated, Wood ’n Slide, Reflection, Honeycomb and Slide ’n Roll. With this array of different effects, we believe a new level of waterpark design is possible.
What is your USP? I believe it is our maintained focus on three important principles that shapes our approach in everything we do. These three principles are innovation, quality and technology. Each and every step we have taken throughout the past 40 years has benefited our operation because everything is shaped around these.
We have also set three technology targets as primary objectives for the next few years. The first is to be the technology leader among waterslide suppliers. To support this effort, we have stepped up our investment in technology over the past couple of years. Specifically, we have invested in composites manufacturing technologies, simulation and computer-aided design and development, material technology (such as surfacing materials, nonslip surfaces and coatings on soft surfaces, splash pads, and special effects) and technology-integrated products.
How would you sum up Polin’s 40 years of success? Polin has perfected hundreds of exclusive and successful projects all around the world: outdoor parks, indoor parks and hotel/resort packages. Polin has worked on Europe’s largest waterpark, Europe’s largest indoor waterpark, the Middle East’s largest waterpark, and award-winning waterparks in Iran, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, Ukraine, Greece, Czech Republic and many more.
Some were immense projects with 50 waterslides and many kids’ play attractions; some were smaller parks with fewer attractions. Some were themed, and some were not. Many were parks with world-renowned reputations, and others were local venues. Some were indoor, and some were outdoor. We have been fortunate to work with a wide variety of clients, installing our signature rides or creating specially designed rides.
Here at Polin, we’ve been proud to work with clients who are open to our ideas and who have allowed us to collaborate on some fabulous projects. Polin is 40 years old, and look forward to the next 40 years in the industry.
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Polin’s patented technologies, extensive R&D and creative flair have made it one of the world’s leading waterpark design and manufacturing companies. Director of marketing and communications Sohret Pakis tells the story
How has Polin developed in recent years? Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of waterparks, waterslides and waterplay attractions. To date, Polin Waterparks has designed and installed more than 2,500 waterparks in 100 countries around the world. We are a growing company in terms of numbers, plant capacity, turnover, number of projects, number of countries, awards and brand awareness.
We’ve worked with a wide variety of clients, installing the first waterparks in many countries and award-winning rides at parks with world-renowned reputations.
Which projects stand out? Cartoon Network Amazone in Thailand was a game-changing project for us. Polin themed each and every waterslide in the internationally branded water theme park and received the WWA Leading Edge Award.
King Cobra is a great example of a themed waterslide that’s a game-changing concept in the industry. It has won many awards, including Best Waterslide in Europe in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
What projects should we look out for? We have many installations opening in 2016, including Amaazia Waterpark in Surat, India; Paradis des Zibanes in Biskra, Algeria; Mega Fun Waterpark in Anji, China; Blueland Waterpark in Chittagong Port, Bangladesh; Harmony of the Seas Cruise Waterpark and many more.
What is your signature product? In terms of technologies, RTM closed-moulding manufacturing (Resin Transfer Molding) has been pioneered by Polin since 2006. The technique has many advantages, not only creating the best-looking slides with a perfectly smooth and shiny finish on both sides, but also producing stronger, lighter slides in less time and with less waste. Today the industry is heading toward closed-moulding as the leading technology displaces the conventional or traditional methods. Plus, we offer our patented NLE, SPE, and translucent rides in RTM.
Our newest signature rides are especially exciting. These new offerings present unparalleled design, intense rider experiences and creative theming. King Cobra is the first waterslide to offer a theme built into its fibreglass design. And it doesn’t have to be based on a cobra – we’re creating a dragon-themed version for a project in China and a ship-themed one for a project in Indonesia.
Polin offers combo and hybrid options, with multiple slide experiences in one ride.
What is the latest development from Polin R&D? We’ve created seven new design options that can be customised for each specific project. The options are Graffiti, Mosaic, Triangulated, Wood ’n Slide, Reflection, Honeycomb and Slide ’n Roll. With this array of different effects, we believe a new level of waterpark design is possible.
What is your USP? I believe it is our maintained focus on three important principles that shapes our approach in everything we do. These three principles are innovation, quality and technology. Each and every step we have taken throughout the past 40 years has benefited our operation because everything is shaped around these.
We have also set three technology targets as primary objectives for the next few years. The first is to be the technology leader among waterslide suppliers. To support this effort, we have stepped up our investment in technology over the past couple of years. Specifically, we have invested in composites manufacturing technologies, simulation and computer-aided design and development, material technology (such as surfacing materials, nonslip surfaces and coatings on soft surfaces, splash pads, and special effects) and technology-integrated products.
How would you sum up Polin’s 40 years of success? Polin has perfected hundreds of exclusive and successful projects all around the world: outdoor parks, indoor parks and hotel/resort packages. Polin has worked on Europe’s largest waterpark, Europe’s largest indoor waterpark, the Middle East’s largest waterpark, and award-winning waterparks in Iran, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, Ukraine, Greece, Czech Republic and many more.
Some were immense projects with 50 waterslides and many kids’ play attractions; some were smaller parks with fewer attractions. Some were themed, and some were not. Many were parks with world-renowned reputations, and others were local venues. Some were indoor, and some were outdoor. We have been fortunate to work with a wide variety of clients, installing our signature rides or creating specially designed rides.
Here at Polin, we’ve been proud to work with clients who are open to our ideas and who have allowed us to collaborate on some fabulous projects. Polin is 40 years old, and look forward to the next 40 years in the industry.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK’s new project in Hainan, China,
introduces the storytelling elements of a
theme park to the oceanarium concept
Science Museums: Shaping Tomorrow
Brazil’s Museum of Tomorrow uses
constantly updating, real-time digital
collection to communicate with visitors.
We met members of the team
Promotional feature: EAS
This year, the Euro Attractions Show is
coming to the Spanish city of Barcelona
Disney Special: Shanghai Disney: The Best Yet?
As Disney opens its first resort in mainland
China, our special feature examines its
business model, its potential impact and
the modernisation of the Disney castle park
New Openings: Space Inversion
A new contemporary museum district
in the Netherlands – Museumplein
Limburg – features a science centre,
a design museum and an inverted
planetarium. We take a closer look
Promotional feature: Polin
Polin’s patented technologies, extensive R&D and creative flair have made it one of the world’s leading waterpark design and manufacturing companies
Waterparks: Taking the Plunge
Waterpark suppliers constantly develop
their product offers. We dive into the
world of waterpark R&D to find out more
Zoos & Aquariums: The Long Game
UK safari park Longleat is undertaking a
decade-long upgrade that starts by going
back to its roots. As the attraction turns
50, CEO Bob Montgomery explains how
he’s bridging the past and the future
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent
private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer
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The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study,
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industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
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Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
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A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Saskia Spa Founded in 2014, Saskia Spa continues to evolve as a professional luxury skincare brand. It forms pa [more...]