The Hustler and Tempest, both made by Watkins, are two similar rides with virtually the same components; they both have a large boom that is connected to two smaller booms on either end. Attached to the ends of the smaller booms are large spinning pods that can hold about 8 people. The only real difference is that the Hustler is on a flat plane while the Tempest is titled at about 20 or so degrees.
Both of these rides are basically a combination of a Scrambler and a Teacups ride. However the pods are much larger than a normal teacup car and the pods on these rides are very tough to stop spinning; actually, you can’t stop them since there is no wheel in the center of the pod that you can turn. Of course if the pod is balanced, then it won’t spin at all, effectively killing the ride experience!
As far as looks, they look straight from the 70s, which isn’t really uncommon for a WTCR. Tempests and Hustlers usually have colors such as faded reds, crust yellows, and off white in their color schemes. The Hustler has a large Menorah looking sign in the center that rotates with the ride. The sign has 7 circular panels that are surrounded by big old light bulbs with one letter of the word ‘HUSTLER’ painted on each panel.
As far as names go…well, Tempest sounds about right, Hustler on the other hand reminds me of the porno mag of the same name.
The Ride
I’ll describe the Hustler because that is the one that I have actually been on. First the ride op opens the door, and people just pile into the pod. I don’t remember if the ride had restraints, but if so, it was probably just a steel chain link with a dog leash style clip. The Hustler does have two circular shaped bars in the center though, one to hold onto, and one to put your feet up against. If you pool all the people on one side, then the car spins like hell. If everyone is spread out then the car sort of balances itself and doesn’t spin as much. The ride, again as I said before, is almost exactly like the Scrambler with the only differences being that the ride is set about 8 feet above the ground and the pods spin.
Here is a YouTube video that I found of the Tempest. Thanks to the uploader!
Other Info
There is a ride called Storm that is a new age Tempest made by Wisdom. The Storm has a large platform, so everyone can load at the same time. The cars on the Storm are rectangular shaped with 4 seats on each side; there’s also harnesses to keep riders in which is a no-no on rides that don’t go upsidedown! A lapbar similar to what Wisdom Tornadoes have would be adequate I think. Unlike the Hustler and Tempest, Storm has cars that spin mechanically. There is yet another new age Tempest called ‘XScream’…a very original name. This one looks a lot like the Storm, only there is no platform and the entire ride rises into the air and tilts to one side.
Video
Hustler at the 2008 Holy Family Carnival in Hazlet, NJ.
Back to WTCR
this ride looks so boring
They had a Tempest at my local fair. Yep, it had chains for seat belts. And you had to be 2 inches taller to ride it than you had to be for their Zipper. WTF?
the tempest i ran had seat belts i think it was updated though pain in the ass spin it by hand hold the break with your foot and hope they held the law now is seatbelts like a scrambler pattie can’t sell a ride makes money on parts all because a state run park had a couple of staff not trained not to jump on the ride when it’s moving 2 deaths in 2 years.
I’ve operated a Wisdom Storm before.
Yeah, I remember seeing the video on Youtube! Did the ride run on an automatic cycle or did you manually run it?
I ran the ride on automatic however with a switch of the key from auto to manual, I can override the cycle. It can be operated in both auto and manual.
I’ve actually been on this one before! It was at the same carnival where I saw the Scat. It pretty much feels like a Scrambler.
We had a Tempest at the old school amusement park I used to work at. It was the most notorious puke ride on the midway. With so little control by the riders on the spinning action it can really get out of control and develop serious forces. There were always two 5 gallon pails of water kept by the ride and they got tossed on the seats multiple times every day. Not a ride I choose to go on.
Where I live Fiesta Shows has 1 that was originally called “The Break Dance”, then “Super Dance” and now “The Twister”. It’s actua;;y tilted at about a 45-50 degree angle