Schlitterbahn: World's tallest water coaster coming to Galveston

Schlitterbahn's MASSIV watercoaster under construction in Galveston will be 926 feet long and will be the world's tallest watercoaster, with the exact height and opening date yet to be announced. (Schlitterbahn) less Schlitterbahn's MASSIV watercoaster under construction in Galveston will be 926 feet long and will be the world's tallest watercoaster, with the exact height and opening date yet to be announced. ... more Image 1 of / 59 Caption Close Schlitterbahn: World's tallest water coaster coming to Galveston 1 / 59 Back to Gallery

As Schlitterbahn Waterpark gets ready to celebrate 10 years in Galveston, the company has announced the construction of the world's tallest water coaster on the island.

Called MASSIV, the German word for "massive," the water coaster remains a bit of a mystery since its opening day has not been set and its exact height won't be announced until spring, the company said Wednesday in a news release.

But this much is certain: MASSIV will be 926 feet long, twice as long as any waterslide already in the park, according to the statement.

A water coaster is more varied than a traditional, gravity-based water slide and has the feel of a roller coaster, the company said. The roller-coaster sensation is created with multiple uphill "blaster" sections where water blasts the rider uphill.

Water coasters also have more entertaining downhill sections, such as spirals and small drops, and riders are always in tubes, rafts or boats, the company said.

Built by Schlitterbahn and WhiteWater West, the new MASSIV water coaster uses Master Blaster technology, invented by Jeff Henry of Schlitterbahn and licensed to WhiteWater West.

It has 135 slide segments, including seven that are translucent, allowing riders to be seen from below. The other sections are green, red or white.

To experience MASSIV, riders will carry a tube to the top of 123 steps, because there's no elevator. It can be a shared experience for one or two riders.

The indoor waterpark is scheduled to reopen March 5 for the spring season.