[derek_lentz]

Hello to all.

I am rather new to this board as I have just purchased season passes for the first time. This is actually the first time in 10 years since I have visited Carowinds despite living only 10 miles for the past 3 years.

I decided to visit the park for the Panthers Draft party. That was fun and they had a Q&A with some of last year's rookies. After the Q&A finished, I decided to visit some of the rides.

Rode the Cobra - I loved it
Rode Afterburn - Sat in the front row and the view and the ride were absolutely amazing.
Rode the Goldrusher - weeeee

And then I decided to ride the Vortex - Stupid ride gave me whiplash. I was in a doctor's office for the next 5 hours getting shots & x-rays. I have also been laid up in bed for the next 2 days on painkillers. I have ridden a stand up ride like that before but this one just hurt in all the wrong ways. I loved the park and can't wait to visit again but I will definitely not be going back on that ride.

Derek

[alecscrews]

Um... didn't you read the warning.

Vortex may seriously injure riders because of its roughness.

[Wormy]

Sorry about that, dude.

It usually hurts another part of the body.

[bgwfreak]

Hmmm... and I wonder why many call it the crotch rocket.

I don't even ride it anymore. But skinny teenagers must love it for some reason, they are always in line for it. Must be something to do before puberty hits.

[CarolinaCoasterFreak]

Well the vortex is bad but what I think is worse is the half hour head ache u get after riding the hurler. Ouch!

[Jay]

Hurler is not rough. TM

[derek_lentz]

I don't know. I think that thunder road is worse that the Hurler. I always seem to end up with a worse headache on that one.

[billcollins531]

Vortex is a classic, but I really think that they should replace it with something else. Like the guy said above me, it usually hurts a certain part of the body...really..REALLY badly..
Anyway, the first drop is a pretty bad disappointment. I'm always expecting a huge drop. I almost always black out on the last helix, AND the ride is short.
Pardon the whining...

Hmm....Would a strata fit in Vortex's place??

[BoociferPatch]

I went on Vortex again today, reminded me of the extreme hate I still have for that ride...my nickname for it shall always remain the Nutcracker....

I would love Vortex, if it was not a stand up. I love the layout, it's just the seat. That bicycle seat hurts me everytime.

I would think a nice flat ride, a frisbee or swing, would be good there. Maybe even a floorless, but I don't think that will happen.

[Chris]

I used to have an issue with the seat, but I've figured out a way that it comes nowhere near your "boys". Stand up straight and rest the OTS Restraints on your shoulders and you are good to go.

[Top Gun68]

Or bend your knees slightly until the seats click, then you should have plenty of room.

[Davidtmp]

Or bend your knees slightly until the seats click, then you should have plenty of room.

THANK YOU!!! Geez, I thought that was common sense. You should only get hurt 1 time at the most. If you don't learn how to compensate after that, then you deserve any pain you receive.

[lazor 22]

Ok, I know this thread is like 12 days old but I just wanted to say Vortex is quite smooth. It's the straddle that's the problem.

[MarkD]

I for one love the Vortex. Being 6'4" I have NEVER had a problem with the seats meeting the Y. My only ordeal with Vortex has always been the roll. Call it what ever inversion you want but it is just way to tight. I found planting my head on the left restraint keeps the pain down.

[KenB]

I'm a freak that likes Vortex too. I remember the one year at C3 during ERT we kept riding it while most everyone else ran off to BORG.

I totally agree with the 2nd inversion, though, and I approach it in much the same way. I pin my head against the OTSR. It's going to end up there anyway, I may as well do it myself rather than letting the coaster do it, as it tends to do it a bit more violently.