History behind the Jungle Surf Water Slide in Galveston, Texas explored.

The Jungle Surf Water Slide is one of Galveston’s forgotten water slides. This news article will explain what Jungle Surf Water Slide was and explore the history. Many residents remember that Jungle Surf was a popular spot for birthday parties.

Lyons Bend Corp. financed $15,000 dollars to erect bathroom and restroom facilities for a water slide which would become locally known as Jungle Surf Water Slide. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/17136126/)

Jungle Surf Water Slide first opened in 1979 and had multiple owners. The water slide was built on top of a hill and into a hill also. Jungle Surf Water Slide operated seasonally on weekends to Sunday until 10:00 AM usually during the summer. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16844368/)

Dominick Sasser and Barbara Sasser purchased and 17 acres of property, where Jungle Surf Water Slide was located, in 1997 for $450,000. Jungle Surf Water Slide underwent a $75,000 renovation in 1998. Dominick Sasser put in a toddler pool, made additional covered seating for adults watching their children, added a deck for sunbathers and landscaped the whole project. The renovation also included solar heating for the water, which should allow the business to stay open on weekends later into September than in previous years. Jungle Surf Water Slide was the first fiberglass water slide in Texas. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16844368/)

Sliding into summer Jungle Surf completes renovation

With a last month, Jungle Surf Water Slide is ready for customers of all ages. Owners Barbara and Dominick Sasser put in a toddler pool, made additional covered seating for adults watching their children, added a deck for sunbathers and landscaped the whole project. "We made it more of a jungle scene," Dominick Sasser said, noting that the slides were built into a hill. The 19-year-old business, which boasts the first fiberglass water slide in Texas, is at 9402 Seawall Blvd. "At that time there were two main slides and a snack bar," Barbara Sasser said. "We ran it one year as it was and had such a good time — it's a really fun business — that we wanted to do more." Designed primarily for children, Jungle Surf is a popular spot for birthday parties, Sasser said. Since it opened in 1979, Jungle Surf has had multiple owners. The Sassers, who have lived in Galveston for 20 years, bought the business and 17 acres of property last year for $450,000. They began the renovation in February. "I think we'll be here a while," Jungle Surf Water Slide is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission Is $8 for three hours of sliding, with fall passes for $11 and season passes for $32.

[Since it opened in 1979, Jungle Surf has had multiple owners. The Sassers, who have lived in Galveston for 20 years, bought the business and 17 acres of property last year for $450,000. They began the renovation in February. A Construction workers install a new pool at the Jungle Surf water slide in Galveston. The new pool will give smaller children a place to play. (Photos by Kevin Bartram) she said. The renovation also included solar heating for the water, which should allow the business to stay open on weekends later into September than in previous years, Sasser said. She also said she was hopeful that other business improvements in the area — including the projected summer opening of the nearby multi-screen Island Cinema and improvements to Magic Carpet Golf at 9030 Seawall Blvd. — would attract more customers to Jungle Surf. Jungle Surf Water Slide is open every day from. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $8 for three hours of sliding, with all-day passes for $11 and season passes for $32. Children under 3 feet tall and parents accompanying their children are admitted for A Jungle Surf water slide owner Barbara Sasser looks over plans to expand the water slide]


Jungle Surf Water Slide was disassembled and demolished possibly due to high maintenance costs and lack of attraction. Today the water slide no longer exists and is no longer in operation. The only remnant left of Jungle Surf Water Slide is a long concrete sidewalk which lead to a maintenance room where the mechanics and water pump were located.

Jungle Surf Water Slide was located at 9402 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston, Texas, US 77554. The phone number was 409-744-4737. (Ref: https://arcades.cmac.ws/jungle-surf-water-slide/6323/)