Roller Coaster Fans Say Goodbye To Hurricane At Santa Cruz Boardwalk

SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) -- Roller coaster enthusiasts gathered at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Sunday to take one last ride on the Hurricane, a roller coaster set to shut down for good next month.

Boardwalk officials confirmed in March that the Hurricane would be replaced with a new ride in 2013. The Hurricane has been in operation at the park since 1992, when it replaced the 19-year-old JetStar coaster.

"The Hurricane has been a great ride for the Boardwalk," said Tom Canfield, vice president of operations. "It served us well, but we're extremely excited to get a brand new ride that we know our guests are going to love."

The Hurricane will operate through Sept. 3, and then be dismantled after Labor Day and shipped to a new owner, the Western Playland Amusement Park in New Mexico, park officials said this month.

An estimated 40 members of the Northern California chapter of the American Coaster Enthusiasts met at the Boardwalk Sunday to take a final ride, and get a special briefing from Boardwalk staff about the new ride.

Details of the new ride will be made public Monday.

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