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WHOO!
WHOO!
[ CHEERING ]
WHEN THE HOT WEATHER HITS,
FOLKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY DUST OFF THEIR TOOLBOXES,
GRAB SOME DUCT TAPE,
AND BUILD THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS DO-IT-YOURSELF THRILLS
RIGHT IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS.
FROM BACKYARD COASTERS...
NOT A LOT OF TIME TO BREATHE.
Narrator: ...TO HUMAN SLINGSHOTS...
WHOO!
...TO DEATH-DEFYING WATER SLIDES, WE GOT IT ALL.
BETTER HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS.
GRAB YOURSELF A COLD ONE 'CAUSE IT'S TIME FOR SOME HOMEMADE...
WHAT A BLAST!
Narrator: ...BACKYARD HIJINKS AND HILLBILLY THRILLS.
WHOO!
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
HEY, Y'ALL, WATCH THIS.
[ CHEERING ]
Woman: WHAT'S A REDNECK, CHUCK?
A REDNECK IS AN INDIVIDUAL
WHO'S WILLING TO DO "HEY, Y'ALL, WATCH THIS"
NO, NO, NO!
"HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS."
"HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS."
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. WELCOME TO NORTH CAROLINA.
Narrator: WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS TWO TELEPHONE POLES,
BUNGEE CORDS, AN A.T.V., AND THE COOLEST BARTENDER IN TOWN?
[ CHEERING ]
ONE SUPER STRETCHY AND SUPER FAST HUMAN SLINGSHOT
IN THE BACKYARD OF A BAR.
Gunter: UNION GROVE IS A SMALL TOWN.
NOT A LOT GOING ON. YOU GOT TO MAKE YOUR OWN FUN.
Narrator: AT LEAST THERE USED TO NOT BE A LOT GOING ON.
[ CHEERING ]
I'M CHUBB GUNTER, AND I AM THE OWNER OF THE REDNECK SLINGSHOT.
Narrator: CHUBB? THIS GUY?
I GUESS IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU CALL A BIG GUY "TINY."
Nelborn: REDNECKS BELIEVE IN BREAKING THE RULES
AND HAVING A GOOD TIME,
BUT ONLY A REDNECK WOULD PUT A THRILL RIDE
IN A BACKYARD OF A BAR.
[ CHEERING ]
Gunter: THE REDNECK SLINGSHOT IS DEFINITELY A POPULAR THING
TO TRY IF YOU'VE HAD A FEW DRINKS.
Narrator: AT SOME BARS,
FOLKS ARE PRONE TO PLAY SOME DARTS OR HIT THE DANCE FLOOR.
BUT HERE AT CHUBB'S, THEY RAISE THE STAKES.
[ CHEERING ]
I CAN'T GET OVER IT. OH!
Gunter: IT JUST CAME TO ME AS AN IDEA --
ME AND SOME FRIENDS.
AND IT TOOK US ABOUT THREE DAYS TO GET IT
TO WHERE WE COULD ACTUALLY USE IT
WITH A LITTLE COMMON SENSE AND REDNECK INGENUITY,
I GUESS YOU CAN SAY.
OH [BLEEP]
[ LAUGHTER ]
LET ME SHOW YOU HOW IT WORKS.
Narrator: TOWERING OVER 40 FEET HIGH,
THE REDNECK SLINGSHOT UTILIZES TWO OLD TELEPHONE POLES
TO SUSPEND AND SHOOT BAR-GOERS.
CONSTRUCTED FROM NATURAL RUBBER AND COATED WITH NYLON,
THE CORDS COMBINE ELASTICITY AND STRENGTH,
GIVING THESE BACKWOODS PARTYERS THE MOST *** FOR THEIR BUCK.
AND A STURDY HARNESS
MAKES SURE THEY DON'T END UP IN THE NEXT COUNTY.
[ CHEERING ]
Gunter: WE DESIGNED IT FOR SAFETY,
SO WE'VE GOT TWO CORDS HOOKED TO ONE POINT.
YOU GOT THREE CORDS HOOKED TO A POINT.
SO IF ONE CORD FAILS, THE WHOLE SYSTEM DOESN'T FAIL.
THESE STRAPS HOLD LIKE 21,000 POUNDS APIECE,
SO DEFINITELY KIND OF OVERKILL FOR THIS,
BUT DON'T WANT ANYBODY GETTING INJURED.
THIS IS THE ONLY THING PREVENTING YOU
FROM FLYING THROUGH THE AIR AND GOING SPLAT ON THE GROUND.
[ THUMP ]
Narrator: NOW, THAT WOULD BE A REAL BUZZKILL.
Gunter: THE BUNGEE THAT WE'RE USING HERE
IS 120 FOOT OF BUNGEE DESIGNED TO STRETCH TWICE AS FAR
AS THE ACTUAL LENGTH,
SO WE'RE ACTUALLY PULLING THEM BACK 120 FEET
AND THEN THEY'RE GETTING THROWN 120 FEET,
SO THAT'S 240 FOOT OF ACTION.
IT'S A LITTLE SHY OF A FOOTBALL FIELD.
THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD THRILL RIDE.
Narrator: IN YOUR TYPICAL BUNGEE JUMP,
IT'S GRAVITY THAT DOES MOST OF THE HARD WORK,
BUT THE HUMAN SLINGSHOT PUTS THE POWER
IN THE HANDS OF CHUBB AND HIS TRUSTY FOUR-WHEELER.
Gunter: FOR THE PERSON RIDING THE A.T.V.,
IT'S UP TO THEM HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO TORTURE THE PERSON
THAT'S ON THE SLINGSHOT BECAUSE THEY CAN HOLD IT
FOR AS LONG AS THEY WANT, YOU KNOW?
ALL RIGHT, CHUBB, MAKE IT GOOD.
Gunter: THE LONGER YOU HOLD IT, THE WILDER THE RIDE'S GONNA BE.
[ CHEERING ]
WHEN YOU RELEASE,
YOU'RE ACTUALLY FLYING THROUGH THE AIR LIKE A BULLET HEADFIRST.
I WOULD THINK THAT YOU'RE TRAVELING AT A SPEED
OF ABOUT 80 MILES PER HOUR TO 100 MILES PER HOUR.
Man: OH [BLEEP]
Gunter: WHEN YOU'RE RIDING IT, IT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY.
I TRIED TO SCREAM, AND IT WASN'T HAPPENING.
[ LAUGHS ]
THAT DEFINITELY ADDS TO THE EXCITEMENT OF RIDING IT.
Narrator: FOR SOME FOLKS, IT CAN BE A LITTLE TOO EXCITING.
Woman: I'M REALLY, REALLY NERVOUS.
[ LAUGHS ]
REALLY NERVOUS.
Gunter: A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT'S RIDDEN IT FOR THE FIRST TIME,
YOU KNOW, THEIR EYES IS LITERALLY THIS BIG AROUND.
OH, MY GOSH.
OH, GEEZ.
Gunter: THEY SCREAM SO LOUD.
I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR IT FROM MILES AWAY.
[ SCREAMING ]
THE FIRST-TIMERS ARE THE LOUDEST.
Woman: IT'S A GENERAL RUSH, LIKE YOU DO IT, AND BAM --
ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU'RE SNAPPING BACKWARDS
AND THEN YOU'RE GOING FORWARDS AND THEN YOU'RE GOING BACKWARDS.
LIKE, WHEN YOU HIT THE GROUND, YOU LOVE IT.
YOU WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.
Narrator: SO, TELL US, CHUBB -- YOU EVER STRAP IN?
OR IS THIS SLINGSHOT JUST FOR PRETTY LADIES?
Gunter: I'M THE DESIGNATED SLINGER.
I'M EITHER DRIVING OR SITTING ON THE BACK.
I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY GOT TO RIDE IT YET.
Narrator: YOU MEAN TO TELL ME
YOU'VE NEVER RIDDEN YOUR OWN RIDE?
WELL, THAT'S AGAINST THE "THRILLBILLY" CODE.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, FOLKS? SHOULD HE DO IT?
[ CROWD CHANTING "CHUBB" ]
I AIN'T SURE ABOUT THIS, MAN.
NO, NO. YOU'RE DOING IT. I DON'T CARE.
I AIN'T FEELING SO GOOD ABOUT THIS.
NOW, THAT'S MORE LIKE IT.
SO NEXT TIME YOU'RE LOOKING FOR HIGH-FLYING FUN
AND SOME REASONABLE DRINK SPECIALS,
HEAD ON DOWN TO CHUBB'S.
SO, HOW WAS IT? TELL US HOW IT WAS.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO ADMIT
IT WAS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BETTER
THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE.
FIRST TIME EVER.
I'M PROUD OF MYSELF.
YEAH, I DIDN'T KNOW I REALLY HAD THAT IN ME,
BUT, YEAH, I HAVE TO SAY I'M PROUD OF MYSELF.
Narrator: OVER THE BORDER, THESE NORTH AMERICANS
ARE GETTING THEMSELVES READY TO HEAD TO CAMP.
BUT WE AIN'T TALKING ABOUT PITCHING TESTS
AND ROASTING WIENIES.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SUMMER CAMP THRILLBILLY STYLE.
I'M DOUG KEDDY.
I'M A THRILLBILLY, AND THIS IS MY REDNECK SUMMER CAMP.
THERE'S NOT MUCH TO DO IN THIS LITTLE TOWN,
SO ME AND MY FRIENDS -- WE BUILT THIS REDNECK SUMMER CAMP
TO ENTERTAIN OURSELVES.
SITTING AROUND INSIDE IS NOT FUN.
I'D RATHER BE HERE TRYING TO HURT MYSELF SOMEHOW.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: IN ITS FIRST FIVE YEARS,
SUMMER CAMP HAS BECOME A HEART-PUMPING AMATEUR WATER PARK
WHERE EACH RIDE SURPASSES THE THRILLS OF THE LAST.
BUT THEY ALL GOT ONE THING IN COMMON.
ALL OF OUR RIDES CENTER AROUND
GETTING THROWN HARD INTO THE POND.
WHEN WE DO BIG JUMPS, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT
BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT 25 FEET DEEP.
Narrator: ALL THESE BOYS NEED FOR FUN IS A POND AND GRAVITY.
WHOO!
OW!
Narrator: THESE BOYS HAVE TAKEN AT LEAST ONE PRECAUTION.
WHAT I HAVE ON IS A LIFE JACKET AND A WET SUIT.
THEY'RE NOT REALLY FOR SAFETY.
IT'S MORE FOR IF YOU HIT THE WATER WRONG.
IT SAVES YOU FROM A LOT OF PAIN.
Narrator: AND WHAT'S THE FIRST
PAIN-INDUCING SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITY?
THE BLOB.
HERE WE GO. THIS IS NOTHING.
WHOO!
Keddy: THIS IS THE BLOB.
JUST JUMP ON ONE END AND SEND THE OTHER PERSON FLYING.
WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE GO AS HIGH AS 25 FEET.
Narrator: CLIMBING UP A RICKETY LADDER
TO A STAGGERING 35-FOOT TOWER,
JUMPERS TAKE A SERIOUS SWAN DIVE TO THE CHILLY LAKE BELOW
TO BOUNCE THEIR BUDDY OFF A 20-FOOT-LONG INFLATABLE BLOB.
YOU CAN ALMOST SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM THERE.
Narrator: TALK ABOUT SOME SERIOUS HANG TIME.
WE'VE DEFINITELY GOT THE COMMENTS
THAT WE ARE CRAZY AND WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS STUFF,
BUT THAT'S DEFINITELY NOT GONNA STOP US.
Narrator: THOSE FOLKS ARE CALLED HATERS,
AND YOU DON'T NEED TO PAY THEM NO MIND.
[ LAUGHTER ]
WHAT'S FUN ABOUT IT IS THAT YOU GET CHUCKED INTO THE AIR,
AND WE ALWAYS LOVE GETTING THROWN IN THE AIR.
THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT WE DO UP HERE.
OHH!
IT'S REALLY FUN TO WATCH.
Narrator: YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.
WE'LL CHECK IN ON THESE THRILLBILLY PHENOMS
A LITTLE LATER.
IF THE SLINGSHOT LEFT YOU FEELING A LITTLE WOBBLY,
YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT THESE GUYS ARE UP TO.
WHEN THEY STOP RESPONDING IS WHEN I STOP.
[ SCREAMING ]
Narrator: AND LATER, THESE THRILL-SEEKERS
ARE UP TO SOMETHING, AND IT AIN'T SAFE.
[ SCREAMING ]
Narrator: DESPITE WHAT YOU MIGHT THINK,
THRILLBILLIES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO THRIVE ON BOTH SIDES
OF THE MASON-DIXON,
MacGYVER AND SUMMER KICKS RIGHT IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS.
CASE IN POINT -- THESE MINNESOTA MADMEN
WITH THE DIZZIEST RIDE WE'VE SEEN YET.
EVERY WEEKEND, ME AND THE REDNECK BUDS --
WE GET TOGETHER AND HAVE AN AWESOME TIME.
FOR A GOOD TIME 'ROUND HERE, WE LIKE TO DRINK BEER AND HAVE FUN.
IF WE DON'T HAVE FUN, WE MAKE FUN.
[ HARMONICA PLAYING ]
Narrator: HOW DO THESE NORTHERN STARS MAKE THEIR FUN?
WITH THIS.
I'M "ROCKIN' ROD" LANNERS,
AND THIS IS MY HOMEMADE SPINNING CHAIR.
Narrator: SO, TELL US.
WHAT THE HECK DID YOU MAKE THIS THING FOR?
Lanners: AS A KID, I REMEMBER GOING TO THE CARNIVAL,
AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF THEN I CAN BUILD THIS THING AT HOME.
YOU GO TO THE FAIR, YOU SEE THIS CRAZINESS.
I CAN DUPLICATE THAT IN MY BACKYARD, AND THAT'S WHAT I DID.
Narrator: FAIR ENOUGH.
THE "FRANKENRIDE" YOU SEE BEFORE YOU
BEGAN ITS LIFE IN RODNEY'S GARAGE.
COMBINING A TRUCK REAR AXLE, A BUCKET SEAT FROM AN OLD CAR,
SOME STAINLESS-STEEL PIPE, AND A LITTLE AMERICAN INGENUITY,
THE SPINNING CHAIR IS A TRUE HILLBILLY BUILD.
Lanners: WE'RE GONNA GIVE HER A LITTLE PULL,
AND IT JUST RAPIDLY --
AS THE YOKE SPINS, IT TAKES THE WHOLE MECHANISM WITH IT
AND SPINS THE POOR PASSENGER INTO OBLIVION.
THE SPINNING CHAIR COST ME PROBABLY TWO CASES OF BEER
AND PROBABLY $15 WORTH OF METAL.
ALL RIGHT, JAKEY, YOU'RE THE MAIN MAN.
YOU GOT TO GET UP IN THERE.
Narrator: IT'S A RIDE BEST TAKEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
I SWEAR TO GOD, IF I GET SICK,
IT'S ALL ON YOU, DUDE.
WELL, IF IT HAPPENS, IT HAPPENS.
Jake: TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH,
THIS IS GONNA SCARE THE HELL OUT OF ME ON THIS RIDE RIGHT NOW,
BUT LIKE I SAID, IT IS WHAT IT IS.
JUST HOLLER WHEN YOU'RE SICK OF IT, JAKE.
[ LAUGHTER ]
[ SCREAMING ]
[ LAUGHTER ]
I WOULD SAY THE ROTATION OF THE CHAIR IS PROBABLY EQUAL
TO 15, 20 MILES AN HOUR.
Narrator: THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT.
HEY, NASA, ARE YOU WATCHING THIS?
THIS GUY COULD SAVE YOU MILLIONS ON ASTRONAUT TRAINING.
Lanner: YOU'RE CAPABLE OF SPINNING
30 TO 40 TIMES IN A VERY SHORT DISTANCE.
IT'S VIOLENT.
WHEN THEY STOP RESPONDING IS WHEN I STOP.
I'M DIZZY JUST WATCHING HIM.
[ LAUGHS ]
RUN THAT WAY.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: WITH RODNEY'S SPINNING CHAIR,
SAFETY MIGHT NOT COME FIRST.
BUT IT'S AT LEAST IN THE TOP THREE.
BUT MOST PEOPLE SURVIVE IT.
Narrator: MOST PEOPLE?
I'VE GOT ONE BULLETPROOF DUDE
THAT RODE IT FOR PROBABLY 80 FEET.
HE WASN'T FEELING TOO WELL FOR AWHILE.
IT IS A BEAST.
IT'LL TAKE THE MAN RIGHT OUT OF YOU.
THE SPINNING CHAIR, JAKE.
WHAT A BLAST!
YOU MADE IT, DUDE.
HE MIGHT NOT EVEN NEED THE HARD HAT, HE'S SO TOUGH.
I'M THINKING NO HARD HAT, JUST THE ***, HUH?
JUST THE *** CAP?
'CAUSE YOUR HEAD'S GONNA NOT FLY OFF.
Narrator: GOOD CALL.
THAT HELMET WAS CRAMPING THE SPINNING CHAIR'S STYLE.
WELL, WE'LL GET HER GOING AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
THEY CALL ME "SO HIGH" BECAUSE THIS IS THE WAY I AM.
'CAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW IF I'M COMING FROM THE SKY OR WHEREVER.
Narrator: THIS MAN IS A NATIONAL TREASURE.
YOU BE CAREFUL WITH HIM, RODNEY.
ALL RIGHT, READY FOR A LITTLE SPIN?
LET HER GO.
[ SCREAMING ]
[ LAUGHTER ]
DYNAMITE COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES, TOO.
Narrator: DON'T WORRY, FOLKS.
HE WAS MORE OR LESS LIKE THAT BEFORE THE CHAIR.
AND WHAT'S BETTER THAN SPINNING ON LAND?
[ IMITATES CARNIVAL MUSIC ]
Narrator: YOU GUESSED IT -- SPINNING IN A MUD POND.
YOU READY FOR ROUND TWO, SO HIGH?
WHO AM I KIDDING? OF COURSE YOU ARE.
LET'S DO IT!
[ CHEERING ]
WHOO-HOO!
[ LAUGHTER ]
THANKS.
THAT WAS PRETTY COOL, MAN.
THAT WAS PRETTY COOL. I DIDN'T KNOW...
IF YOU KEEP ON GOING, SPIN-DRY HIM.
Narrator: SOMEONE GO FETCH SO HIGH'S SPARE SET OF OVERALLS.
WHAT'S THAT? THOSE WERE HIS SPARE OVERALLS?
WELL, DANG.
[ CHEERING ]
OH, I CAN'T WALK RIGHT NOW. WHOO!
THIS EVENT WILL BE BETTER NEXT TIME.
WE'RE GONNA GET A LITTLE BIGGER CREW OUT HERE.
WE MAY HAVE TWO CHAIRS RIGGED UP.
YOU NEVER KNOW -- BACK TO BACK OR SOMETHING.
WHO KNOWS? WE'LL GET IT DONE.
Narrator: WE KNOW YOU WILL, RODNEY.
WE KNOW YOU WILL.
[ FANFARE ]
LET'S TAKE A SPIN ON OVER TO PAY OUR RESPECTS
TO THE GREATS AT THE THRILLBILLY HALL OF FAME.
FIRST UP, WHY WATER-SKI WHEN YOU CAN WATER-SIT?
NOW ALL HE NEEDS IS A BOAT PULLING A BAR.
NO? MAYBE NEXT SUMMER.
BRUCEVILLE, INDIANA, WHERE CREAM-COLORED FIELDS
BRING ON THOUGHTS OF LAZY SUMMER DAYS.
BUT WE'RE NOT HERE FOR A NAP.
[ SCREAMING ]
WE'RE HERE TO TAKE A RIDE ON THE BIGGEST,
RIP-ROARINGEST HUNK OF REDNECK STEEL WE'VE SEEN YET.
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF TIME TO BREATHE.
John: HOW'S YOUR ADRENALINE LEVEL?
IT'S UP THERE.
THERE'S NO BRAKES ON THIS COASTER.
DIDN'T REALLY THINK I NEEDED BRAKES.
SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS A LITTLE NUTS.
I'M READY FOR LAUNCH.
MAYBE THEY THOUGHT I COULDN'T DO IT.
BUT I PROVED THEM ALL WRONG.
WHOO-HOO!
Narrator: WELL, INTRODUCE YOURSELF ALREADY, YOU MAVERICK.
MY NAME IS JOHN IVERS.
MY BLUE FLASH ROLLER COASTER
WILL MAKE YOU HANG ON FOR DEAR LIFE.
I KNOW A FEW PEOPLE THAT MIGHT LOVE ROLLER COASTERS,
BUT I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THEM LOVE COASTERS AS MUCH AS I DO.
THE FIRST TIME I EVER RODE A ROLLER COASTER,
I WAS ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD.
JOHN'S BEEN INTO ROLLER COASTERS EVER SINCE HE WAS A LITTLE KID.
IT GOT MY ADRENALINE PUMPING, AND I LIKED THAT FEELING.
Narrator: BLUE FLASH IS A BACKYARD COASTER
IN A CATEGORY OF ITS OWN.
MODELED AFTER THE SAME TUBE-STEEL COASTERS
YOU MIGHT FIND IN AMUSEMENT PARKS,
THE BLUE FLASH MAKES A 20-FOOT CLIMB
UP AND OVER AN A-FRAME SHED, THEN DROPS STRAIGHT DOWN
INTO A FULL 360 LOOP BEFORE SPINNING INTO A CURVED HELIX,
MAKING THIS ONE SMOOTH BUT GUT-WRENCHING RIDE.
AND WITH OVER 300 MILES SEPARATING JOHN
FROM THE NEAREST PROFESSIONAL THRILL RIDE,
THE BLUE FLASH IS THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN.
I JUST HAD AN IDEA ONE DAY.
IT POPPED INTO MY HEAD TO HAVE MY OWN ROLLER COASTER.
ONE PROBLEM I HAD...
[ NEEDLE SCRATCHES ]
...I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO BUILD A ROLLER COASTER.
Narrator: BUT YOU DIDN'T LET THAT STOP YOU, DID YOU?
MY FAMILY THOUGHT I WAS PRETTY NUTS RIGHT OFF THE BAT
WHEN I ANNOUNCED THAT I WAS GONNA BUILD A ROLLER COASTER.
Narrator: WELL, WHO'S NUTS NOW?
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: AS A FACTORY WORKER,
JOHN WAS ABLE TO PICK UP MOST OF THE PARTS AND MATERIAL
FOR THE FLASH FROM FARMING-EQUIPMENT SCRAPS,
WELDING HIS BIG BLUE COASTER ONE PIECE AT A TIME.
IT WAS A 6 1/2-YEAR PART-TIME JOB.
ROLLER-COASTER WORK GLOVES.
I KNEW HOW TO WELD AND HOW TO WORK METAL.
I STARTED WITH THESE ROUND RAILS -- 3/4-INCH ROUND ROD.
AND THERE'S 188 FEET OF TRACK,
PLUS ALL THE SUPPORTS BEHIND THE SUPPORTS --
GROUND SUPPORTS AND BRACING SUPPORTS.
EVERYTHING I DID MYSELF.
EVERY WEEKEND WHEN HE HAD THE SPARE TIME,
HE SPENT WORKING ON IT.
IT WASN'T ALL FUN, BUT IT ALL TURNED OUT GREAT IN THE END.
Narrator: AND WITH A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF CLASSROOM PHYSICS,
JOHN WAS ABLE TO BRING THIS MONSTER TO LIFE.
IT'S REALLY SIMPLE.
IT HAS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR.
JUST HAS A REGULAR SWITCH.
YOU TURN IT ON.
IT PULLS YOU ALL THE WAY UP TO THE HIGHEST POINT --
20 FEET UP THERE.
THE CHAIN TURNS LOOSE THE CAR.
AFTER THAT, GRAVITY TAKES OVER AND DOES THE REST.
WHEN YOU GET UP THE HILL, RIGHT WHEN YOU GET TO THE TOP,
JUST BEFORE YOU GO DOWN, YOU KIND OF SEE YOUR FATE.
YOUR HEART JUST STARTS TO, LIKE, STOP FOR A SECOND
AND THEN STARTS BEATING REALLY RAPIDLY, AND THEN OFF YOU GO.
Narrator: THIS COASTER AIN'T PLAYING AROUND,
AND THE PROOF IS IN THE UPSIDE-DOWN PUDDING.
THE LOOP IS THE BIGGEST ATTRACTION.
NOT MANY BACKYARD COASTERS HAVE A LOOP.
Narrator: JOHN HANDCRAFTED THE 360-DEGREE LOOP WITH PRECISION,
AND AT ONLY 9 FEET WIDE AND 18 FEET HIGH,
YOU'RE ONLY A FEW INCHES FROM MOTHER EARTH.
John: FIRST-TIME RIDERS ARE A LITTLE INTIMIDATED BY IT.
IT WAS DEFINITELY A LITTLE NERVE-WRACKING.
WHEN MY DAD WAS FIRST BUILDING THE ROLLER COASTER,
HE HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE LOOP.
PUT A COUPLE SANDBAGS IN IT.
THE SANDBAGS FLEW OUT IN THE LOOP.
THE CAR WOULD FALL OFF THE TRACK.
NOT BEING AN ENGINEER, I WAS JUST KIND OF WINGING IT.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER IT WAS GONNA WORK OR NOT,
SO I WAS THE TEST DUMMY ON THE ROLLER COASTER.
THE SANDBAGS DIDN'T WORK,
SO I HAD TO GET IN IT MYSELF AND TRY IT.
Narrator: ONCE JOHN KNEW RIDERS WOULD STAY PUT,
IT WAS DEEMED SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY -- WITH ONE EXCEPTION.
I'VE BEEN KIND OF NERVOUS TO RIDE IT.
Narrator: NERVOUS TO RIDE IT UNTIL TODAY.
SEE, MOM, YOU'RE ALL BUCKLED IN NICE AND TIGHT.
CAN'T FALL OUT.
KEEP YOUR FEET IN THE CAR.
KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE BAR.
HANG ON TIGHT, AND SCREAM ALL YOU WANT.
[ CHEERING ]
I'M VERY SCARED OF HEIGHTS.
HOW DID I GET TALKED INTO THIS?
WHY DID I AGREE TO THIS?
Narrator: 'CAUSE WHEN YOUR DADDY BUILDS YOU A ROLLER COASTER,
YOU GOT TO TRY IT AT LEAST ONCE.
AAH!
AAH!
Heverik: IT'S COOL BECAUSE NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE'S GRANDPAS
DO HAVE ROLLER COASTERS IN THEIR BACKYARD.
John: I LOVE THE THRILL,
THE ANTICIPATION OF GOING UP THE HILL REAL SLOW.
ZOOM DOWN THE HILL.
I LIKE THAT FEELING.
McGrath: I CAN GO BACK TO CHICAGO AND TELL ALL MY FRIENDS
THAT WE RODE THE ULTIMATE REDNECK ROLLER COASTER.
Narrator: I BET THEY'LL BE EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT IT, TOO.
McGrath: I FEEL LIKE THE SMILE IS CURRENTLY FROZEN ON MY FACE,
PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT FROM THE ADRENALINE RUSH.
CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST RODE ON A HOMEMADE ROLLER COASTER.
Narrator: LIKE BISCUITS AND APPLE PIE,
SOME THINGS ARE JUST BETTER WHEN THEY'RE HOMEMADE.
John: FIRE IT UP.
LET'S GO FOR A RIDE.
WHOO-HOO!
Narrator: JUST AROUND THE BEND,
GET READY FOR ANOTHER HEART-PUMPING SPILL.
HAVE YOU EVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE,
OR SHOULD WE BE WORRIED?
Narrator: AND LATER...
THE INITIAL TEST RUN WAS A LITTLE SHAKY.
WHAT WAS THAT?
[ SCREAMING ]
Narrator: UH-OH.
Narrator: FOR MOST FOLKS,
A SWING SET IS A RELAXING WAY TO PASS THE AFTERNOON.
BUT FOR THIS GROUP OF THRILL-SEEKERS
IN NORTHERN NEBRASKA, SWINGING TAKES ON A NEW CHALLENGE...
[ CHEERING ]
...AS THEY GO FOR A FULL 360.
I'M VINCE TESINSKY, AND I'M A BACKYARD REDNECK ENGINEER.
OH!
[ LAUGHS ] IT BROKE THE WINDOW.
VINCE'S CRAZY REDNECK RIDES ARE AWESOME.
SOME OF THEM ARE PRETTY PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING,
AND EVENTUALLY, YOU'LL GET THE HANG OF THEM,
BUT YOU'LL PROBABLY NEVER BE AS GOOD AS VINCE.
Narrator: VINCE'S LOVE OF MACHINERY
LED HIM TO BUILD A FEW TOYS ALL WITH ONE THING IN COMMON...
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
...SPEED.
Vince: THIS WORKSHOP IS V.T. FABRICATION.
THIS IS MY BUSINESS
AND ALSO WHERE I BUILD SOME REDNECK RIDES.
THE FIRST ONE IS THIS POWER CHARIOT.
THE REDNECK SEGWAY IS WHAT I CALL IT.
A COMBINATION OF A FOUR-WHEELER TIRE,
A LAWN-MOWER MOTOR, A WHEEL BEARING OFF OF A CAR.
IT GOES 20 MILES PER HOUR,
WHICH IS PLENTY FAST WHEN YOU'RE STANDING UP.
NOW I'M DIZZY. [ LAUGHS ]
THIS IS THE SKID STEER GO-KART.
IT USES A LAWN-MOWER MOTOR, FOUR-WHEELER TIRES,
AND THIS ROLL CAGE IS ACTUALLY USED PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.
Derek: I THINK VINCE HAS ALWAYS HAS THE NEED FOR SPEED.
HE JUST LIKES GOING FAST,
AND BEING THAT HE'S THE YOUNGER BROTHER,
YOU KIND OF WANT TO LOOK UP TO THAT GUY,
BUT I DON'T EVER WANT TO MATCH HIS INTENSITY OR CRAZINESS.
[ RICHARD STRAUSS' "ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA" PLAYS ]
Narrator: SPEAKING OF THINGS THAT ARE INTENSE,
LET'S MOVE ON TO HIS LATEST MASTERPIECE --
THE 360 SWING.
IT'S LIKE A SWING SET ON STEROIDS.
ITS FRAME IS MADE OF COLD, HARD STEEL,
AND INSTEAD OF SITTING DOWN,
RIDERS STAND ON A THREE-FOOT PLATFORM.
BUT THE REAL ADVANCEMENT IS THE COUNTERWEIGHT.
THAT'S WHAT ALLOWS THE SWING TO SAFELY LOOP THE LOOP.
A NORMAL SWING TOPS OUT AT 180 DEGREES IF YOU'RE LUCKY.
BUT VINCE'S CREATION WILL TAKE YOU FULL CIRCLE.
TO LOCK RIDERS IN, VINCE USES A STANDARD TREE-CLIMBING HARNESS
BECAUSE YOU DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO FALL OUT.
WHEN YOU'RE DOING A 360,
SOMETIMES IT'LL STOP RIGHT AT THE TOP
AND YOU HANG THERE FOR A SECOND OR TWO.
IF YOU WOULD HAPPEN TO SLIP,
YOU'RE 20 FEET IN THE AIR UPSIDE DOWN.
THAT HARNESS IS GONNA KEEP YOU
FROM FALLING STRAIGHT ON YOUR HEAD.
Narrator: FOR MOMENTUM, ALL YOU NEED
IS GOOD OLD-FASHIONED LEG POWER.
BENDING DOWN, STANDING UP.
BEND DOWN, THEN STAND UP.
HEY, VINCE, HOW ABOUT YOU LET ONE OF YOUR BUDDIES
GIVE IT A GO?
Vince: ON THE 360 SWING, I'VE HAD MANY FRIENDS TRY,
BUT TODAY'S THE DAY I THINK SOMEONE HERE
IS GONNA FINALLY MAKE IT AROUND --
ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE 360 SWING, SOMEONE BESIDES ME.
Narrator: DID YOU FELLAS HEAR THAT?
VINCE JUST CALLED YOU ALL A BUNCH OF WIMPS.
WHO'S GONNA BE THE FIRST PERSON BESIDES VINCE TO GO A FULL 360?
Man: DO IT, DEREK.
I'M GONNA GIVE IT A GOOD TRY AND SEE IF I CAN GET A 360 ON IT.
BEND DOWN. STAND UP!
COME ON, DEREK! STAND UP!
I'M DONE. I'M DONE.
Narrator: SWINGING DOESN'T SEEM TO RUN IN THE FAMILY.
NOT TODAY. NOT TODAY.
IT WAS A GOOD EFFORT.
I THINK I'M OUT OF GAS.
ALL RIGHT, DONNIE, LET'S GO.
OH, COME ON, DON!
IT JUST FREAKING TAKES YOUR LEGS AND IT TURNS THEM TO JELL-O.
Narrator: GEE, I GUESS VINCE WAS RIGHT.
LOOKS LIKE YOU MAMA'S BOYS MIGHT AS WELL JUST HEAD HOME.
DON'T LET ME OFF...
Vince: GIVE IT YOUR ALL.
...UNTIL I HAVE BECOME INVERTED.
Narrator: STOP THE PRESSES.
I THINK WE FOUND OUR MAN.
EVEN HIS BEARD MEANS BUSINESS.
I'M READY TO COMMIT TO IT TODAY.
I BROUGHT DUCT TAPE.
Narrator: OF COURSE. DUCT TAPE.
WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?
ALL RIGHT.
COME ON, TYLER!
Man: LET'S GO, TYLER!
DO IT, TYLER.
I GOT MONEY RIDING ON THIS.
[ CHEERING ]
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
DAGNABBIT.
HE WAS RIGHT THERE.
I JUST DIDN'T HAVE IT IN ME.
IT'S VERY PHYSICALLY DEMANDING,
AND IT'S ALSO VERY MENTALLY DEMANDING,
GETTING OVER THAT HUMP AND GOING COMPLETELY UPSIDE DOWN.
A LITTLE BIT.
Heavican: HE MAKES IT LOOK SO DARN EASY.
THE FINAL VERDICT IS THIS THING'S A LOT TOUGHER
THAN IT LOOKS, AND IT'S GONNA TAKE SOME MORE PRACTICE.
I AM THE KING SWINGER ON THE 360 SWING.
Narrator: NO ONE KNOWS WHAT VINCE WILL INVENT NEXT.
BUT ONE THING'S FOR SURE -- ONLY HE WILL BE ABLE TO USE IT.
[ FANFARE ]
MOTORIZED MAYHEM IS NOTHING NEW AT THE THRILLBILLY HALL OF FAME.
THIS TIME, WE GO TO THE MATTRESSES.
SPEED UP! SPEED UP!
AAAAH!
AAH!
HOW'S THAT FOR A SNOOZE BUTTON?
BACK OVER AT SUMMER CAMP...
THIS IS MY EXCAVATOR SWING.
WHOO!
Smith: OTHER PEOPLE DON'T REALLY HAVE EXCAVATORS
AROUND THEIR HOUSE.
DOUG HAS ONE, SO WE MAY AS WELL GET IT
AND GET SOME AMUSEMENT OUT OF IT.
Narrator: THE EXCAVATOR ON THE KEDDY PROPERTY
HAS BEEN REPURPOSED REDNECK-STYLE
FOR A DOSE OF PURE ADRENALINE.
BY KNOTTING A ROPE TO A STEEL BAR
AND THEN REINFORCING IT WITH SOME DUCT TAPE,
THE EXCAVATOR LIFTS THE RIDER ABOUT 10 FEET IN THE AIR
BEFORE FLINGING THEM INTO THE NEARBY POND.
TODAY'S ACTUALLY THE FIRST DAY WE'RE GONNA BE DOING THIS.
WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.
Narrator: OH, HUSH, DOUG.
I'M SURE IT'LL GO GREAT.
TALK LIKE THAT WILL SCARE THE CAMPERS.
DOUG, HOW IS THIS GONNA WORK?
UM, WELL, WE GOT THIS ROPE HERE.
I'LL LIFT YOU UP, AND I'LL JUST TAKE YOU
AND I'LL SLOWLY SWING YOU AND THEN I'LL GO FASTER.
HEN YOU'RE OVER THE WATER, JUST LET GO.
WE'LL SEE HOW IT WORKS.
HAVE YOU EVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE,
OR SHOULD WE BE WORRIED?
Narrator: WHO'S THIS GUY?
HE SURE IS ASKING A WHOLE LOT OF QUESTIONS.
I'M EXPECTING PAIN.
Narrator: I'M EXPECTING YOU TO LET SOMEONE ELSE GO FIRST.
GOOD TO GO!
THAT WAS WICKED!
OH, IT'S CRAZY.
IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S GONNA GO FAST AT ALL.
HERE IT COMES!
THEN ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH,
IT STARTS GETTING A LOT FASTER THAN YOU THINK IT'S GONNA BE.
Narrator: YES, SIR.
NOTHING BUT GOOD COMES FROM GIVING KIDS ACCESS
TO HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT.
WHOO!
OHH. THAT WAS GOOD.
LET'S NOT DO THAT AGAIN.
Narrator: GOOD CALL, BOYS.
KEEP ENJOYING SUMMER CAMP.
WATCH OUT FOR POISON IVY.
[ CHEERING ]
BREAK OUT YOUR SWIM TRUNKS 'CAUSE WE'RE GETTING MUDDY.
AND LATER, SUMMER CAMP TAKES CANNONBALLING TO A NEW LEVEL.
Narrator: A TRIP TO THE WATER PARK CAN GET EXPENSIVE,
NOT TO MENTION THE LINES.
BUT WHEN YOU GOT A SHOVEL, A STEEP HILL,
AND A LITTLE GUMPTION,
A MUDSLIDE IN YOUR BACKYARD IS AS EASY AS PIE.
MUDPIE.
MY NAME IS AARON HAMPTON, AND I'M A REDNECK MASTERMIND.
WE'RE IN CARLISLE, IOWA, RIGHT HERE IN MY BACKYARD.
I'VE GOT FOUR KIDS.
THIS SUMMER, WE COULD EITHER DO SOME LANDSCAPING
OR HAVE A LOT OF REDNECK FUN.
LET'S HAVE A LOT OF REDNECK FUN.
WE'RE GONNA BUILD A MUDSLIDE IN MY BACKYARD.
Narrator: MUD, TRULY NATURE'S SLIP 'N SIDE.
FOR YEARS, FOLKS HAVE USED MUDSLIDES
TO WALLOW AWAY THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS.
Aaron: YOU'RE GONNA BE WET, YOU'RE GONNA BE DIRTY,
THE SUN'S NOT GONNA BE BEATING ON YOU
BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST GONNA BE CAKED IN MUD.
Narrator: AND NOW THAT AARON HAS RECRUITED SOME SKILLED LABOR,
THEY'RE READY TO GET INTO SOME DIRT-SLINGING ACTION.
GIVE ME A FIST BUMP.
LET'S DO IT.
I THINK IT'S GONNA BE PROBABLY ABOUT 25 FEET, MAYBE 30.
THIS MUDSLIDE WILL BE PRETTY STEEP,
AND IT WILL HAVE A NICE "S" CURVE IN IT.
I THINK YOU'LL GO PRETTY FAST.
Narrator: WHO KNEW GETTING THIS DIRTY WAS SO MUCH WORK?
Aaron: I DON'T KNOW IF MY WIFE WILL LIKE THE IDEA,
BUT I THINK IT'S GONNA BE A LOT EASIER
TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS THAN PERMISSION.
SO...
WHEN I LEFT FOR WORK THIS MORNING,
I HAD NO IDEA THAT THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE A MUDSLIDE.
JUST PLEASE WASH UP BEFORE YOU COME IN THE HOUSE, PLEASE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
I REALLY DON'T WANT A HUGE DITCH IN MY BACKYARD.
ALL RIGHT, CHASE, LET THE WATER GO.
WHO WANTS TO GO DOWN FIRST?
ME!
[ LAUGHTER ]
I TOLD YOU THAT CURVE WOULD BE A PROBLEM.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Aaron: I THINK WE NEED TO GO TO MY SUPER SLIPPERY MUD MIX,
MY SECRET WEAPON.
Narrator: HIS SECRET INGREDIENT FOR GETTING DIRTY?
DISH SOAP.
Aaron: I'M GONNA ADD A LITTLE BIT OF WATER,
AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE BOYS STOMP IT LIKE GRAPES,
AND WE'RE GONNA ROCK AND TRY OUT THIS SLIDE.
ALL RIGHT, JOHNNY, LET'S GO.
Narrator: JUST REMEMBER TO HOSE OFF BEFORE YOU GO INSIDE,
OTHERWISE, THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS GONNA BE FULL OF ANGRY MOMS,
AND NO ONE WANTS THAT.
[ LAUGHTER ]
[ CHEERING ]
THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF REDNECK FUN RIGHT HERE.
YOU'VE GOT MUD, AND YOU'VE GOT FUN.
[ CHEERING ]
IT'S A PARTY.
AAH!
I'M OKAY WITH THE MUDSLIDE.
BUT I'M NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT ALL THIS LAUNDRY
I'M GONNA BE DOING THIS SUMMER.
Aaron: WHOA!
Narrator: SO, NEXT TIME YOU'RE LOOKING
TO BEAT THE HEAT REDNECK-STYLE, THERE'S A SIMPLE SOLUTION.
OH!
AND ITS NAME IS MUD.
[ CHEERING ]
[ LAUGHTER ]
REDNECK SUMMER. [ LAUGHS ]
[ FANFARE ]
Narrator: LET'S SWING ON OVER TO OUR FRIENDS
AT THE THRILLBILLY HALL OF FAME
WHERE THEY'RE FIXING TO INDUCT THE INVENTORS
OF THIS WONDERFUL CONTRAPTION.
THEY CALL IT...
[ LAUGHS ]
...THE SLIP 'N CRY.
THESE THRILLBILLIES SURE KNOW HOW TO HIT THE MARK.
Man: DEFINITELY NEED TO PULL THAT POOL OVER.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Narrator: ON OUR NEXT BACKYARD PIT STOP,
WE'RE OFF TO BOISE, IDAHO, TO MEET LUKE MIELKE.
LUKE IS YOUR AVERAGE SUBURBAN FAMILY MAN
WITH A NOT-SO-AVERAGE REDNECK HOBBY.
A FEW STEPS OUTSIDE THE MIELKES' BACK PORCH
LIVES HIS VERY OWN HOMEMADE CARNIVAL,
CONSTRUCTED TOP TO BOTTOM WITH NOTHING MORE THAN METAL SCRAP
AND JUNKYARD PARTS.
MY NAME IS LUKE MIELKE,
AND THIS IS MY BACKYARD REDNECK AMUSEMENT PARK.
[ CARNIVAL MUSIC PLAYS ]
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HANGING OUT AT LUKE'S HOUSE.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING FUN GOING ON.
Narrator: WITH THE CLOSEST AMUSEMENT PARK
MORE THAN SEVEN HOURS AWAY,
MAKING HIS OWN ADMISSION-FREE BACKYARD THRILLS
SEEMED LIKE THE WAY TO GO.
IT'S BACKYARD FAMILY FUN.
YOU'RE NOT HAVING TO PAY OTHER PEOPLE TO DO IT.
I HAD FUN BUILDING IT.
MY KIDS ARE GONNA HAVE FUN RIDING IT.
Narrator: THE MAIN ATTRACTION IN THE MIELKE BACKYARD
IS THIS MOTORIZED SPINNING SWING SET.
FIVE SUPPORT ARMS EXTEND OFF A 14-FOOT STEEL PIPE
THAT SITS ON TOP A UTILITY TRAILER.
RIDERS TAKE A LOAD OFF IN ONE OF FIVE SUSPENDED BUCKET SEATS,
AND HANG ON TIGHT.
WHEN THE MOTOR IS TURNED ON, THE SWING TAKES THE RIDER
ON A TILTING 30-DEGREE, 360-DIZZYING SPIN.
IT BEATS YOUR AVERAGE PLAYGROUND, THAT'S FOR SURE.
SO, I BOUGHT THE STEEL FOR IT IN A COUPLE OF JUNKYARDS IN BOISE,
SO IT'S REALLY PRETTY CHEAP TO BUILD.
Narrator: BUT OLD LUKE DIDN'T STOP THERE.
THIS SUMMER, LUKE'S TALENT
FOR TURNING SCRAP METAL INTO FAMILY FUN
LED HIM TO CONSTRUCT A 25-FOOT-TALL FERRIS WHEEL.
YOUR TYPICAL FERRIS WHEEL WAS FABRICATED
WITH OVER 1,000 TONS OF PRECISELY CUT STEEL
AND FACTORY-MADE SEATS.
LUKE'S BACKYARD VERSION UTILIZES 1,600 POUNDS
OF RESCUED GAS PIPES
AND RETROFITTED CHILD-SIZE PARK BENCHES
PURCHASED FROM THE LOCAL GARDEN-SUPPLY SHOP.
Luke: THE FIRST STEP THAT I DID
WAS I BOUGHT THIS OLD TRAILER,
AND THEN WE HAVE SOME HEAVY-GAUGE GAS PIPE,
AND THEN THE FINAL STEP HERE IS JUST ADDING THE SEATS.
THIS IS THE BIGGEST THING HAPPENING
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THIS SUMMER.
Swanke: MY KIDS ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO COMING OVER
'CAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING PRETTY CRAZY TO DO OVER HERE.
Luke: TODAY'S GONNA BE THE FIRST DAY
THAT ANYBODY GETS TO RIDE THIS FERRIS WHEEL.
MY KIDS HAVE BEEN PESTERING ME ABOUT IT,
AND TODAY, THEY GET TO GO AROUND.
I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT IN HIS SKILLS.
I'M NOT NERVOUS ABOUT THEM RIDING IT.
I THINK THE FERRIS WHEEL'S GONNA BE ONE OF THE WILDEST RIDES
BECAUSE THE KIDS ARE GONNA BE 25 FEET HIGH,
AND IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT HE,
YOU KNOW, WELDED TOGETHER IN HIS BACKYARD.
THERE'S NO PLANS.
IT'S ALL IN HIS HEAD,
SO IT'S GONNA BE A LITTLE BIT INTERESTING
TO SEE HOW THAT HAPPENS.
Narrator: YOU HEAR THAT, LUKE?
"INTERESTING."
NOW, THAT'S A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.
Luke: I DID ALL THE WELDING MYSELF.
I'M CONFIDENT THAT THEY'RE GOOD.
THE KIDS ARE BRAVE.
WE'RE GONNA GIVE IT A SHOT.
Narrator: YES, THANKS TO LUKE'S HARD WORK AND CREATIVITY,
HE'S REALLY CREATED A PARADISE OF...
HOLD ON TIGHT, JOEL.
NO!
WHOA! [ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: WELL, ON SECOND THOUGHT...
OOH, BOY, THIS IS AWKWARD.
MAYBE IN RETROSPECT, A BACKYARD SCRAP-METAL FERRIS WHEEL
WASN'T QUITE AS SAFE AS IT SOUNDED.
THE INITIAL TEST RUN WAS A LITTLE SHAKY.
MY SON JOEL -- HE HELD ON GREAT,
BUT IT FREAKED HIM OUT.
HE RODE ALL THE WAY DOWN UNTIL WE WERE ABLE
TO TAKE HIM OFF THE RIDE.
WELL, EVEN WITH A LITTLE HICCUP,
THE MIELKES STILL HAVE A GREAT-LOOKING CARNIVAL
IN THEIR BACKYARD FILLED WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS.
THANKS TO LUKE'S BACKYARD CARNIVAL,
HIS KIDS WILL NEVER WANT TO GO TO ANY CARNIVAL EVER AGAIN.
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME... OR ANYWHERE ELSE.
Narrator: LET'S SEE WHAT THE BOYS AT SUMMER CAMP ARE UP TO.
WHOA-HO!
NICE!
Narrator: THE FINAL ACTIVITY FOR THE DAY
IS ONLY FOR THE TRUE DAREDEVIL AT HEART.
SPANNING 120 FEET,
THIS 4-FOOT-WIDE RAMP WAS PUT TOGETHER
TO BUILD THE MOST EXTREME WATER THRILL IN THE CAMP.
WE COME DOWN THE RUNWAY HERE,
THEN LAUNCH OURSELVES INTO THE AIR AND DOWN INTO THE POND.
ONCE YOU GO, YOU CAN'T TURN OFF,
OR YOU'LL PROBABLY HURT YOURSELF.
Narrator: PROBABLY?
I'D SAY DEFINITELY.
THIS IS THE THIRD SUMMER THAT WE'RE USING THIS RAMP.
WHOO!
IT'S OUR FAVORITE PART BECAUSE WE GET THE MOST AIRTIME,
AND THERE'S AN UP AND A DOWN TO IT.
IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN.
IT'S A LOT FUNNER THAN EVERYTHING ELSE.
Narrator: YOU'RE RIGHT.
THAT DOES LOOK FUNNER.
WHOO-HOO!
WHOO!
WHOO-HOO!
WE BUILT IT ALL OURSELVES OUT OF STUFF WE FOUND
FROM THE BARN THAT USED TO HOLD SILAGE
FOR THE CATTLE ON THE FARM, AND BUILT A RAMP WITH IT.
Narrator: GREAT NEWS FOR YOU.
BAD NEWS FOR THE CATTLE.
[ COW MOOS ]
THIS IS ONE OF THE BIKES WE USE.
OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T SINK.
YOU DON'T WANT TO GET A NEW BIKE EVERY SINGLE TIME,
SO RIG IT UP AS BEST AS WE CAN WITH NOODLES
AND DUCT TAPE AND ALL.
IT WORKS.
Narrator: FOR SOME EXTRA THRILLS,
DOUG HAS ALSO ADDED ONE MORE ELEMENT
THAT WILL TAKE HIM ON A SERIOUSLY TWISTED RIDE.
WELL, I'M GONNA ATTEMPT TO DO A TRIPLE FRONT FLIP.
I'VE DONE A DOUBLE FRONT FLIP BEFORE,
AND WE'VE SINCE THEN MADE THE RUNWAY TO THE RAMP
QUITE A BIT BIGGER.
YOU CAN DO IT, DOUG!
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN THE ONE TO TRY THE CRAZIER STUFF.
NERVOUS, DOUG?
Narrator: IT'S TIME TO MAKE TRIPLE-FRONT-FLIP HISTORY.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
LET'S GO, DOUG!
ONE, TWO.
OHHHH!
[ CHEERING ]
DOUG, MAN, THAT WAS AMAZING.
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU JUST HIT A TRIPLE FRONT FLIP.
DID I GET THE FULL THREE?
ALL THREE.
YOU KIND OF HIT SIDEWAYS ON THE THIRD ONE,
BUT YOU DEFINITELY GOT IT.
WHOO!
Keddy: WELL, WE HAD A GREAT DAY OUT HERE.
WE TRIED A NEW RIDE.
AND I DID MY TRIPLE FRONT FLIP.
A FEW PEOPLE HAD A FEW SPILLS, BUT IT WAS ALL FUN.
Narrator: JUST ANOTHER RECORD-SETTING DAY
AT SUMMER CAMP.
[ FANFARE ]
HOW ABOUT WE SLIDE OUR WAY ON OVER
TO THE THRILLBILLY HALL OF FAME
AND SEE WHAT'S ABOUT TO JUMP OFF?
Man: HE'S LETTING OFF.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: THESE LAWN-MOWER-RIDING THRILLBILLIES
ARE EXCELLENT STUNTMEN BUT HORRIBLE GREENSKEEPERS.
Man: THAT WAS AWESOME, DUDE!
Narrator: NOT ENOUGH THRILLS FOR YOU?
WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT THESE BOYS ARE UP TO.
HERE'S A HINT -- IT'S DANGEROUS.
Narrator: EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD WATER SLIDE.
OH! OH!
AND IT'S EVEN BETTER WHEN YOU LAND IN THE WATER.
BUT DEEP IN THE BAYOU
435 MILES FROM THE SCREAMING COASTERS IN ORLANDO
LIVES A FUN-LOVING GROUP WHO ARE REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
IN ATTEMPTING TO BUILD THE CRAZIEST
AND MOST DANGEROUS WATER SLIDE YET.
MY NAME IS MATT GERSTENBERG,
AND THIS IS MY HILLBILLY THRILL RIDE.
Narrator: ON THIS HOT SUMMER DAY,
THE GERSTENBERGS ARE BUILDING THEIR BIGGEST
AND BADDEST STUNT YET -- A TOWERING, NEARLY VERTICAL,
50-FOOT WATER SLIDE
THAT WILL DUMP RIDERS INTO GATOR-INFESTED WATERS.
CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW THE REDNECK WATER SLIDE IS ABOUT 95% BUILT.
Narrator: IT'S THE LAST 5% THAT'LL GET YOU.
Bryan: IT'S PUT TOGETHER IN ESSENTIALLY TWO DAYS.
IT'S GONNA BE A VERY SCARY DEAL TO DO THIS,
BUT IT'S GONNA ALSO BE A LOT OF FUN.
WE BUILD ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
WE STARTED OUT BUILDING MOTOCROSS RAMPS.
THEN WE KIND OF STEPPED UP TO A SKATEBOARD RAMP.
WHAT'S NEXT?
BUT I TELL YOU WHAT, SOMETHING IS COMING.
I PROMISE YOU THAT. WATCH IT. YOU'LL SEE IT.
Narrator: INSTEAD OF FIBERGLASS AND STEEL,
THIS RESOURCEFUL GROUP CONSTRUCTED THEIR SUPER-SLIDE
USING LUMBER AND PLYWOOD.
BUT IT WOULDN'T BE A SLIP 'N SLIDE WITHOUT THE SLIP.
FOR THAT, WE HAVE VINYL GATHERED FROM BILLBOARD MATERIAL
FOUND OFF THE HIGHWAY.
Bryan: ALL WE NEED TO DO IS PUT UP THE PLATFORM
AND PUT THE LAST SHEET OF THE BILLBOARD MATERIAL UP,
AND WE'RE READY TO GO.
Narrator: AS IF A 50-FOOT SLIDE AIN'T SCARY ENOUGH,
YOU ALSO GOT THIS TO WORRY ABOUT.
IF YOU JUMP, YOU'RE GONNA COME OUT TOO FAR
AND YOU'RE GONNA LAND IN THE FLAT AREA OF THE SLIDE.
Narrator: NONETHELESS,
THESE GUYS HAVE EYEBALLED THEIR CREATION
AND FIGURE THAT STARTING THE HORIZONTAL DESCENT
ABOUT 16 FEET FROM THE TOP SHOULD BE JUST FINE --
GIVE OR TAKE.
Matt: THE RIDE IS REDNECK BECAUSE IT'S HOME-BUILT.
IT'S ENGINEERED BY SOUTHERN PEOPLE THAT LOVE TO HAVE FUN.
THEY DO WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE.
Narrator: TURNS OUT GETTING THIS JOB DONE
IS TAKING A LITTLE LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED,
BUT FINALLY, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SLIDE IS READY TO RIDE.
SPOILER ALERT -- IT'S NOT.
SOMEBODY'S GOT TO ACTUALLY GET THIS THING KICKED OFF,
AND IT MIGHT BE ME, BUT IT MIGHT NOT.
Narrator: THE FIRST BRAVE SOUL
SIGNED UP TO SPEED DOWN THE VERTICAL DROP?
THE MEAN CARPENTER HIMSELF, "PISTOL PETE."
I'LL BE THE FIRST GUY TO GO DOWN THIS THING BECAUSE I BUILT IT.
I TRUST WHAT I BUILD.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE A REDNECK?
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT. RIGHT HERE.
MY HAIR'S WHITE, MY COLLAR'S BLUE, AND MY SKIN IS RED.
Narrator: BEAUTIFUL WORDS, PISTOL PETE.
YOU NEED ANYTHING BEFORE YOU JUMP?
ARE ALL YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER?
I TELL YOU WHAT I NEED.
I NEED SOME WATER ON THIS SLIDE.
THAT'S ALL I NEED.
Matt: I THINK PISTOL PETE HAS THE BIGGEST COJONES
OUT OF ANYBODY I'VE EVER MET.
I MEAN, THAT'S WHY HIS NAME IS PISTOL PETE HUGHES --
ACTION MAN.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
Hughes: REDNECK SUMMER, HERE WE COME!
[ CHEERING ]
Man: MESSED UP.
HE'S HURT.
PISTOL PETE RIGHT HERE!
[ CHEERING ]
PISTOL PETE!
WAY TO GO, PISTOL!
HE WENT OFF THAT SLIDE.
YOU COULD SEE THE IMPACT WAS REALLY, REALLY ROUGH ON HIM.
WOULD YOU EVER DO IT AGAIN?
[ LAUGHS ]
YEAH, I WOULD.
Narrator: YOU WOULD?
I MEAN, YOU WOULD!
I GUESS THAT'S WHY THEY CALL HIM PISTOL PETE
AND NOT "LEARN FROM HIS MISTAKES" PETE.
NOW, THAT'S SOME *** RIGHT THERE, BABY.
THAT'S AWESOME.
IF IT DIDN'T KILL ME THE FIRST TIME,
THE NEXT TIME, I'LL NEVER KNOW.
[ LAUGHTER ]
WELL, I'M THANKFUL YOU'RE ALL RIGHT, MY FRIEND.
SO, WHO WANTS TO GO DOWN THE SLIDE NEXT?
[ CHEERING ]
NOW, THAT WAS A HILLBILLY THRILL RIDE! WHOO!