Iron Shark, Steel roller coaster at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, United States
Iron Shark is a steel roller coaster on the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, an amusement park built over the water in Galveston, Texas. The track starts with a steep lift, then drops nearly straight down before sending riders through four inversions in quick succession.
The coaster opened in 2012 when the Historic Pleasure Pier was renovated and brought back to life after years of inactivity. It was the first coaster of its type ever built in Texas, and it was manufactured in Germany before being shipped and assembled on the pier.
The Iron Shark sits on a pier built over the Gulf of Mexico, which makes it one of the few roller coasters in Texas that runs partly above open water. Riders can see the ocean during parts of the ride, which adds to the overall experience.
Riders need to meet a minimum height requirement of 48 inches (about 1.2 m), and it is best to leave loose items in a locker before boarding. Going early in the morning helps avoid long waits, especially on weekends and holidays.
Despite its short track length, the ride fits four inversions into the course, making it denser than many much longer coasters. Riders often say the sequence feels relentless because there is almost no flat section between the drops and loops.
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