Reason why women are banned from controversial waterslide that world champion diver ignored finally revealed
The reason why a popular water slide in Austria has banned all women from trying it out has been revealed.
Area 47, a popular water park in Austria, offers activities such as rafting, bungee jumping and a water slides for everyone to enjoy.
however, there is one water slide in the park, labelled as ‘Europe’s fastest waterslide’ which women have been banned for using.
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And now, the exact reason why the ban has been put in place by the water park has been revealed.
The slide, which can reach speeds of up to 50mph, is labelled with a unmissable sign which reads: "Due to high risk of injury, women are not allowed to use this slide!"
Initially, this led to anger online as women felt excluded from using the popular attraction, but now it has been explained the exact risks of the slide.
Area 47 explained to LADbible Group that the water park was built in 2009 and that they ‘did not intend to create a ‘men only’ attraction’.
A spokesperson said: "Initially, this particular slide was open to both women and men.
“However, in the second year, we noticed a significant increase in accidents on this slide, which required us to take action.”
After consulting with medical officials and the manufacturers of the slide, The Austrian park were forced to either disassemble the water slide or restrict its use to men only.
They continued: “Our highest priority is ensuring the safety and happiness of all our guests, regardless of gender.
“The risks for women using this slide were tragically highlighted a few years ago when a woman was severely injured on a similar slide in the Canary Islands.”
The spokesperson made it clear that their destination to ban women from the slide was ‘not misogynistic’.
In water parks across the world there have been some reports of women having their insides 'ripped apart' by high-speed water slides.
The National Library of Medicine in the US reports that women can suffer severe injuries if high-pressure water enters their bodies, with an additional risk of infections from foreign substances present in the water.
But this was not enough to deter world champions diver Rhiannon Iffland, who posted a video on social media of her trying out the slide when visiting the park.
Sharing the footage on Instagram, Iffland wrote: "Here for a good time not a long time! Another YOLO moment."
Professional high diver Molly Carlson commented on Iffland’s video, saying: “I got the worst enema on that slide bahhaha you are brave girl.”
This led to Iffland responding to the backlash of her video.
Speaking to news.com.au, the Australian diver said: "It was never my intent to mock the safety regulations of this water slide. A person’s safety is paramount and I am constantly weighing up any danger with my job."
Ben McCrum