During the winter, they disguise themselves as our neighbors, relatives, and friends, but once spring and summer arrive, they become hard-core thrill-seekers tearing into amusement parks across the world. They, are roller coaster fanatics.
“I have been a roller coaster enthusiast my entire life,” said Jerry Fleming, member of American Coaster Enthusiasts, a national organization for roller coaster fans.
Roller coaster fanatics span across generations and they all share a hunger for thrills. Fifteen-year-old coaster enthusiast Tim Jones remembers his first roller coaster experience.
“It was the Tornado at Strickers Grove in Hamilton, Ohio,” Jones said. “At that very moment, going down the 52-foot wooden coaster drop, I realized that this was my nirvana.”
Although some enthusiasts like Fleming have visited more than 60 parks across North America, many local coaster fans remain devoted to the nearby parks.
Dave Murman an employee at Paramount’s Kings Island, cannot tear himself away from the rides.
“I work five days a week at Paramount’s Kings Island, then ride the rides during my two days off or when I am finished working my shift,” Murman said.
Some coaster fanatics ride for the thrill of the experience. Others strive to beat personal records of coasters ridden during a certain amount of time.
A fanatic of Cedar Point’s all-steel Magnum XL-200, Dan Haverlock, has already ridden the coaster 335 times this season. His goal is to ride it 1000 times before fall.
Scott Short, a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts , the Greater Ohio Coaster Club and the European Coaster Club , is aiming for this season’s goal of 1000 total coaster rides.
“I’ve been on about 220 different roller coasters, so finding an absolute favorite coaster or park is a little difficult,” Short said. “My rule of thumb: my favorite coaster is the one I’m on and my favorite park is the one I’m in.”
For a small membership fee, roller coaster fanatics like Fleming, Haverlock and Short can join a number of regional, national and international roller coaster organizations. Groups such as American Coaster Enthusiasts, the Great Ohio Coaster Club and the European Coaster Club, provide members with park admission discounts, special activities and exclusive events.
With more than 7000 members, the American Coaster Enthusiasts organization is the world’s largest club of amusement ride enthusiasts. It was founded in 1978 as a volunteer club focusing on the conservation and enjoyment of the art of roller coasters. One of its primary goals is the preservation of roller coasters so that they may be enjoyed by generations to come.
Some coaster enthusiasts share advice on how they maximize their roller coaster experience. Jerry Fleming emphasized that riders have preferences about the difference between back seat “Pullover” airtime (being pulled by the car’s weight), and the front seat “Ejector” airtime (being thrust out of the seat). Fleming would not, however, reveal the Magnum’s famous ejector seat, a secret among roller coaster enthusiasts.
Joe McNally, an Ohio State student and roller coaster enthusiast, offered some valuable tips for coaster riders.
“First off, make sure your lap belt is nice and loose so that you can get some excellent airtime,” McNally said. “Always, always have your hands up…and scream your head off; It makes the ride that much more fun.
A roller coaster is one of the few places in society where it’s completely acceptable to let loose with a mighty yell.”
