Swing Ride Explained – Theme Park Definition

A swing ride (also called a chair swing, wave swinger, or Kettenflieger) is a rotating attraction in which chairs suspended from chains are attached to a revolving central structure. As the ride spins, centrifugal force causes the chairs to swing outward and upward, giving riders a sensation of flying. Swing rides are among the oldest surviving fairground ride types, with roots in early 20th-century carnivals; modern theme park versions range from gentle low-speed models designed for young children to enormous tower versions (chain towers or starflyers) that lift riders dozens of metres into the air. They are a near-universal presence in both major theme parks and travelling funfairs worldwide.