A waterpark has recently addressed concerns after its ‘male only’ waterslide went viral, clarifying that women weren’t always barred but that the restriction was necessary for safety reasons.

Austrian Waterpark Area 47 Admitted They Had to ‘Take Action’

It all began when world champion diver Rhiannan Iffland decided to try the ‘no women’ slide at the Area 47 waterpark in Austria. Curious about what women were missing, she took the plunge on a slide that reaches speeds of up to 50 mph.

Even as a seven-time world champion cliff diver, known for dealing with extreme heights, she quickly realized she might have made a mistake when ignoring the warning sign. Moments after descending, she let out a piercing scream, which was captured in a video she later shared on Instagram with the caption: “Here for a good time not a long time!” She added, “Another YOLO moment.”

The video quickly went viral, leading many people to criticize Area 47 for what they perceived as a sexist policy. In response to these accusations, the waterpark issued a statement to clarify the situation.

Waterpark Explains the ‘No Women’ Rule

A spokesperson for Area 47 explained: “AREA 47 was built in 2009/2010. At that time, we did not intend to create a ‘men only’ attraction within the water park. Initially, this slide was open to both women and men. However, during our second year of operation, we observed a significant increase in accidents on this slide, which required us to take action.”

They continued: “We consulted with doctors, authorities, and the manufacturer of the slide, leading to a difficult decision: either disassemble the slide or restrict its use to men only, which is the approach we took.”

The safety of all guests, regardless of gender, is their highest priority. “The risks for women using this slide were notably highlighted a few years ago when a woman was severely injured on a similar slide in the Canary Islands.” To further assure everyone, the spokesperson added: “Approximately 50% of our team members are female, and 60% of our management team is female.”

Addressing Medical Concerns

According to information from the National Library of Medicine in the United States, women can suffer severe injuries if high-pressure water enters their body. There’s also the added risk of infections from foreign bodies found in the water.

Realizing her mistake, Rhiannan Iffland said, “It was never my intention to mock the safety regulations of this water slide. Safety is paramount and I always weigh the risks involved in my job.”