When no one wanted to build the world's tallest and fastest water slide, Jeff Henry built it himself. 

So when Verrückt was completed, and it was time to test the 168-foot coaster in his Kansas City, Kansas, water park, the choice of test riders was rather easy. 

The guinea pigs: Henry, owner of Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts; Henry's assistant; and head designer John Schooley. 

"It was terrifying," Schooley said. "It was great fun, but it was actually terrifying." 

The slide finally opened to the public on Thursday, July 10, after several weeks of delays. Technical glitches forced the original May 23 opening date to be pushed back three times, a park spokesperson said. 

Officially certified by Guinness World Records in May, Verrückt -- which is German for "insane" -- is 5 feet taller than the previous record holder, a water slide at a Rio de Janeiro country club. 

Verrückt is precisely 168 feet 7 inches tall. To put that free fall in perspective, it's longer than a plunge at Niagara Falls. 

Schooley stressed, however, that the ride is more than a single drop, calling it an "extreme thrill" without comparison. 

"You have three or four experiences on the ride," he said. "There is a 3-second free fall before you get launched into a weightless situation for a few seconds, and then you come down like a roller coaster and have a long splash down." 

The origins of Verrückt are as extreme as the ride itself. 

According to Schooley, owner Henry was at a trade show and simply decided he wanted to build the tallest, fastest water slide at one of his five Schlitterbahn water parks. He immediately shopped the idea to vendors, who declined, but he refused to be denied. 
What water slide is the biggest in the world?
What does that mean?
Who created it?
How tall is it?
Who tested it?
Where?
Did they think it was a good time?
How else did they feel?
When did it open for everyone?
Did they encounter any issues with the opening?
What happened?
Who used to hold the record for the tallest slide
So, is it just one big fall?
How many elements are involved with the ride?
What is without comparison?
When did the owner decide to build it?
How many places does he own like this?
Was everyone on board with his plan?
Who was against it?
Did he give up?
Verrück
Officially certified by Guinness World Records in May, Verrück
"insane"
Verrückt -- which is German for "insane"
Jeff Henry
When no one wanted to build the world's tallest and fastest water slide, Jeff Henry built it himself. 
168 feet 7 inches
Verrückt is precisely 168 feet 7 inches tall
Jeff Henry and John Schooley
The guinea pigs: Henry, owner of Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts; Henry's assistant; and head designer John Schooley. 
Kansas City, Kansas
 was time to test the 168-foot coaster in his Kansas City, Kansas
Yes.
 "It was great fun, but it was actually terrifying." 
Terrified
"It was terrifying," Schooley said.
Thursday, July 10
The slide finally opened to the public on Thursday, July 10
Yes
Technical glitches forced the original May 23 opening date to be pushed back three times, a park spokesperson said. 
Technical glitches.
Technical glitches forced the original May 23 opening date to be pushed back three times
A Rio de Janeiro country club.
a water slide at a Rio de Janeiro country club. 
No.
"You have three or four experiences on the ride," he said. "There is a 3-second free fall before you get launched into a weightless situation for a few seconds, and then you come down like a roller coaster and have a long splash down." 
3 or 4
You have three or four experiences on the ride,"
The Verruckt
that the ride is more than a single drop, calling it an "extreme thrill"
At a trade show
 owner Henry was at a trade show and simply decided he wanted to build the tallest, fastest water slide at one of his five Schlitterbahn water parks. 
Five
at one of his five Schlitterbahn water parks.
No
He immediately shopped the idea to vendors, who declined, but he refused to be denied. 
Vendors
He immediately shopped the idea to vendors, who declined
No
but he refused to be denied. 