Windjammer Surf Racers, Racing roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California.
Windjammer Surf Racers was a steel racing coaster at Knott's Berry Farm with two parallel tracks, one red and one yellow, each running small Wild Mouse-style trains. After a 69-foot chain lift, trains reached 40 mph and entered a vertical loop before a helix finale. Ten trains of two cars each seated four riders per car, with a 1.22 m height requirement.
Announced on September 26, 1996, Windjammer Surf Racers opened at Knott's Berry Farm on March 26, 1997. It ran until March 2, 2000, and was renamed Jammer in 1999 during a name dispute with an apparel company. Knott's sued manufacturer TOGO for $17 million; a jury rejected the claim in November 2003. The coaster was demolished in July 2001.
The design incorporated California beach elements with palm trees, sand, a lagoon, and a lifeguard tower surrounding the track layout.
The ride stalled in what the park described as slight breezes, and Knott's reported frequent downtime during moderate winds. Its station also lacked air gates, so queuing guests stood next to the loading platform without a barrier against arriving trains. Riders had to be at least 1.22 m tall.
The ride featured a spiral cone mechanism designed to generate wind effects and simulate Pacific storm conditions for riders. This unusual feature was an attempt to create a more immersive experience.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,633 contributors worldwide.
