Waterpark's new electric go karts a NZ first
Splash Planet splashes out on latest tech for an old favourite
Forget the foggy fumes of your typical amusement go kart. Splash Planet in Hastings has splashed out on about $350,000 to buy brand-new electric speed machines.
And yes, you will eventually be able to have a mate with you when you drive.
The new vehicles arrived this week, and the singleseaters are already proving a hit with locals.
The double-seaters are set to open soon after WorkSafe, the manufacturer, and the amusement device inspector sign off on them.
This will make Splash
Planet the only place in New Zealand that has these types of electric karts and also the only place in Australasia to have electric double-seaters.
“The decision [to get new Karts] was made for a few reasons,” Splash Planet sports and recreation manager Tom Page said.
“The original karts were over 30 years old and at end of life. The maintenance team was spending a lot of time on repairs, and it was increasingly difficult to keep enough karts on the track to meet demand.”
He said over the years, the karts were modified to meet compliance requirements, but the safety features of the karts were not optimal, and it was decided it was time for new karts.
There was also the issue of fuel and the environmental impact it had, Page said.
“Handling of fuel was a safety risk considered. The carbon emissions reduction is seen as an additional benefit.”
The cost of the project, part of the park’s extensive renovations, was about $350,000, which included purchase, shipping, and some infrastructure work.
Manufactured by French company Sodi Kart, the karts are said to be “lighter, so handling is better, and the controls are more responsive”.
In order to get in the driver’s seat, people have to be over 140cm tall.
They can hold any Splash Planet entry pass besides a spectator pass.
“We ask that the drivers are competent, and if unsure, they try the Jungle Jeeps first as these are a slow-moving kart with lower risk for drivers,” Page said.
Be quick if you want to have a spin this summer, Page said.
“The go karts have always been popular. On opening, you will see visitors heading straight to where they are located to be first in the queue.”
ready. If your child is anxious about their first day, make time tot alk to them about their worries. Ask them how they feel and really liste ntowh a tth e ys ay, rathe r th a nt elling them not to worry.
Help your child ge tth eir clothes, sun hat, shoes, lunch and backpac kr ead yth e night before school starts to reduce stress in the morning. Make sure you’ve labelled your child’s lunchbox, drink bottle, sun hat an dc lothing.
Get your backpacks ready
Backpacks shoul d be no wide r th an your child’s chest ,a n da s light as possible. Straps shoul dbe shortened until th eb ottom of th e ba g is just above th ec hild ’sw aist. Wide, padded, adjustable shoulder stra ps h elp absorb the lo ad – “S ” sh aped shoulder straps ar e be st. Chest and/or waist stra ps h elp distribute the weight of their bag further.
Encourage your child to use lockers a ts chool to store stuff they’re not using – try to ensure they only carry wha tth e yn eed in their bag each day. Pac k th e heaviest items a t th e ba se of th e ba g, closest to your child’s back. Remind your child to us eb oth shoulder straps to evenly spread the lo ad–d on’t wea r th e ba gov e r on e shoulder. *S ource: Ministry o f Ed ucation
Lunchbox food
A healthy lunch will give your chil de nergy to last th e da y, kee pth e mh appy ,a nd help them concentrate. Kids are ofte nin a rush to finish lunc hsoth ey ca n pl ay, so they’re more likely to eat a lunc h th at is quick an dea sy to eat.
A healthy lunchbox should be well balanced and include a mix o ff ruit, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein (such as nuts, seeds , da iry, meat and fish). Th eM inistry of Health recommends childre nh ave 5+ A Da y with lots o ff resh, colourful fruit and veg.
High-sugar or high-fa ttr eats for lunc h( biscuits ,c hippies, jui ce e tc) ca nm ake ith ar df or your child to concentrate late rinth eda y. Chec ki f the school has a polic yr egarding allergies and prohibitions on items such a sp eanuts or eggs a s th ey can cause sever ea llergic reactions in som ec hildren.
If you ca ng et your child toh e lpp ac k th eir lunchbox, they’re more likely to eat it. Ge t th em involved in planning wha tth ey’d like to eat and tha tish ealthy and tha tw a y th ey are more likely to ea tth eir lunch. Keeping hydrated is important for concentration too but steer away from sugar laden drinks – wate r is always best.
For those lacking inspiration there is a wealth of inspiration on the internet.
Organising uniforms
Most New Zealand seconda rys chools and some primary and intermediate schools, have rules requiring students to wear a school uniform.
T oh elp with covering costs most schools have well organised used uniform sales and these can be ve ry h elpful to add in a fe w extras. Usually items are good quality - just outgrown or not needed any longer.
Chec ki f you can buy certain items through th eWa rehouse or Posti eP lus - some schools hav ea list of wha tth ese items are. Ma ny s chools have payment plan options to help familie s to budget for thes ee xpense ssom ake sure to g et in touch early so you can be prepared.
School shoes are often expensive so w atch f or s ales and see what options you hav ef or footwea rsome schools allow sandals and/ or shoes and provide multiple
choices.
One of the most important aspec tso f preparing for the return to s chool is being super organised and planning early. You’ll be pleased whe nyous ee your childre ngoonth e ir w a yh appy!