Slide at Hersheypark rips off bathing suits Slide at Hersheypark unsuitable for many

HERSHEY, PA. — Hersheypark's Waverider is designed to "knock your socks off," as park spokeswoman Kathy Burrows said.

But as it turns out, socks aren't the thing that can be knocked off by the boogie-board ride down a wide, two-lane slide with water shooting up its incline.

"The water will rip off your bathing suit," said Chelsi Ball of Cincinnati after she fell off her board, was hurled into a padded wall and had her top and bottom pulled askance.

How often does that happen?

"All the time," said one lifeguard who was working when Ball, 18, wound up splashing and flashing about a dozen people in line.

One out of every five riders loses some part of their swim wear, the lifeguard said.

When it happened to Ball, a Hersheypark lifeguard threw a blanket over her, shielding her from those behind her in line.

"It's a courtesy thing," Burrows said. "We don't want anyone to be embarrassed or feel awkward, especially a small child."