Amusement ride back shield

A system for reducing friction between a back of a rider and a slide ride, the system comprising:

• a sliding surface extending from an entrance of the slide ride to an exit of the slide ride, the sliding surface configured to support the hack of the rider as the rider slides along the sliding surface from the entrance towards the exit;
• and
• a shielding device disposed adjacent to the slide ride for the rider to wear prior to sliding on the sliding surface, the shielding device configured to cover the back of the rider when worn by the rider and configured to slide upon the sliding surface for reducing friction between the back of the rider and the sliding surface when the rider slides from the entrance towards the exit.

A method of shielding a body of a rider on a slide ride, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a sliding surface, the sliding surface configured to support the body of the rider substantially parallel along the sliding surface when the rider slides on the sliding surface;
• and
• providing a shielding device configured to he worn by the rider prior to the rider sliding on the sliding surface, the shielding device having a first surface made of a first material configured to cover a portion of the body of the rider and a second surface made of a second material configured to contact the sliding surface when the rider slides on the sliding surface.