Parents warn families after bruising on “particularly intense” Waltzer at Chalkwell Fun Fair

Parents are warning other families to be prepared for a particularly intense ride on the Waltzer at Chalkwell Fun Fair after several people reported being left with bruising and claimed the ride was “too fast”.

Waltzers are designed to be fast and energetic, with individual cars rotating as the entire platform revolves. However, some visitors to the Chalkwell Park Fun Fair say they were surprised by just how intense their experience was, with riders reporting that their cars were being spun particularly quickly.

Amie B said: “My daughter felt like she was going to pass out. I felt sick for ages after. It was nothing like what they used to be. This was another level.”

Another woman also urged others to be careful after her experience, saying: “I went on the waltzers years ago and I’ve never known them to be like this one was. I couldn’t lift my neck up from where they were constantly spinning us. I was up all night with a pain and woke up to bruising down my spine and a bruise on the side. So please, everyone just be careful.”

The ride is believed to be the Disco Waltzer, a traditional travelling fairground Waltzer operated by experienced UK showmen.

There is no suggestion that the ride is unsafe, and experiences can differ significantly between riders. The comments are being shared by parents to make others aware that they found this particular Waltzer considerably more intense than they had expected.

Waltzers themselves have been a familiar sight at British travelling fairs for generations. Their distinctive design combines a rotating platform with cars that spin independently, creating an unpredictable ride in which the intensity can vary considerably during each cycle. The combination of spinning cars, music and traditionally lively operation has helped make the Waltzer one of the most recognisable attractions on the British fairground.

Fairground rides operating in Britain are subject to health and safety requirements. The Health and Safety Executive says ride operators have legal duties to manage risks, maintain their equipment and ensure rides are regularly inspected. Fairground rides must undergo an annual inspection by a competent person, while operators are also responsible for regular checks and maintenance between inspections.

The industry-standard Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme, known as ADIPS, involves independent inspections of safety-critical parts and functions. A satisfactory inspection results in a Declaration of Operational Compliance, with annual in-service inspections required at least every 12 months. New rides are also subject to inspections and testing before first entering operation.

Chalkwell Fun Fair remains a popular fixture in Southend’s summer events calendar, with gate entry fees once again raising money for Southend Mencap.