The park’s opening day is set for May 2.
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Engines revved and cameras rolled Wednesday morning as Schlitterbahn New Braunfels pulled the curtain back on its newest attraction: Wasserbahn Racers.
The 2026 addition is a giant racing-themed water slide designed for head-to-head competition, sending three riders down side-by-side lanes as they speed toward the finish. Riders will lie on their stomachs and launch headfirst down the hill, racing toward a giant timer near the finish line that determines who wins.
The park’s opening day is set for May 2, and officials said construction remains on track.
“We wanted to create something that was new and innovative and thrilling and really at the core of Schlitterbahn’s DNA,” said Jeffrey Siebert, regional general manager.
Located on a bluff next to the Comal River, the attraction takes advantage of the park’s natural topography and elevation change.
“That’s where the Wasserbahn Racers was born. It’s something that actually uses the elevation change from the top of the park down to the river but also offers an opportunity for you to race your friends and family,” Siebert said.
Park leaders revealed the name, theme and first renderings during an exclusive preview of the new attraction at the construction site inside Schlitterbahn West. The racing-inspired announcement was paired with a private showcase of exotic and high-performance vehicles, including Vipers and Ferraris, to help set the tone for Wasserbahn Racers.
KENS 5 also got a first look at a new racing-inspired outfit for Schatze, the park’s mascot, along with guided hard-hat tours of the construction area.
Officials said the name Wasserbahn Racers pays tribute to New Braunfels’ German heritage and the nearby river.
“Wasserbahn, which means ‘water road,’ loosely translated, helps describe that racing experience but also keeps true to our identity and the community,” Siebert said.
Officials said the announcement marks the official countdown to opening day and signals a major year of growth and innovation for the park.
For more information about Wasserbahn Racers, click here.