This summer the Ryde Slide returns! On Sunday 22nd July the 200 metre thrill seekers’ delight, an exhilarating giant inflatable water slide, will arrive in Ryde’s main shopping street. It has been made possible by a collaboration between the former Mayor of Ryde, Wayne Whittle and a range of organisations and sponsors. Islanders and visitors will get the chance to take part in this unique community event whilst raising money for local charities.

In 2013 Wayne Whittle, then Mayor of Ryde, was sent a photo of Bristol’s ‘Park and Slide’ – a 100m water slide installed in the centre of Bristol by artist Luke Jerram. The picture was sent to Wayne on Twitter captioned ‘Can’t you make this happen Mayor?’. Wayne thought that the road in Bristol where the water slide was located looked similar to Union Street in Ryde, so he pushed for the event to happen. In July 2015 the Ryde Slide was born!