Inflatable waterpark brings life to Jordan
You might have noticed a variety of colourful, oddly shaped objects popping out of the Jordan Harbour, visible from the Queen Elizabeth Way.
The scene in question is Pirateship Cove, a water-activity venue owned by Craig Bagshaw and Rodney Moore.
New to the venue this summer is an inflatable waterpark — the first in Niagara and the largest in Ontario, according to its website.
The park is made up of bouncy inflatables, including slides, trampolines and various obstacles.
“We bought the biggest individual pieces of inflatables you can buy in the world,” Bagshaw said.
Bagsaw said he came up with the idea while looking for a costeffective way to grow his business, which began five years ago as Flyboard Niagara. Flyboarding is a water sport which propels an individual on a board out of the water using a hose which is fuelled by a watercraft.
Bagshaw said he’s kept the cost of a flyboarding session at $150 since opening, but it has become increasingly expensive to maintain as the cost of fuel has increased. As a result, he said he’s focusing his efforts on the waterpark this summer.
Business to Pirateship Cove has been steady so far.
“We really need to try to focus on grabbing some of the Niagara Falls tourists, that’s what we were originally hoping our bread and butter would be.”
Kayaks and paddleboards are also available for rent at Pirateship Cove.
Bagshaw said the waterpark will remain open until Labour Day weekend, and might open on weekends in September if the weather stays nice.
The venue is at 2793 North Service Road and is open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The cost of general admission is $39.95 and a Twilight Special is offered 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for $24.95. Local residents receive a discounted price.