Water amusement system and method

A water carousel system, comprising:

• a support member anchored to the ground;
• a support platform for holding a participant, the support platform being configured to float on water during use, the support platform comprising a non-rotatable portion and a rotatable portion, the rotatable portion being positioned above the non-rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion is configured to rotate with respect to the support member during use;
• a propulsion device coupled to the rotatable portion, wherein the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion during use;
• a shaft coupled to the propulsion device;
• and
• a participant power mechanism, coupled to the shaft, for driving the shaft during use, the participant power mechanism being operable by the participant during use;
• wherein driving of the shaft powers the propulsion device such that the propulsion device applies the propulsive force to the rotatable portion during use, and wherein the rotatable portion is configured to rotate in response to the propulsive force.

A water carousel system, comprising:

• a first support member anchored to ground;
• a second support member configured to float on water during use;
• the second support member being further configured to rotate about the first support member during use;
• a propulsion device coupled to the first support member, wherein the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion during use;
• a shaft coupled to the propulsion device;
• a participant power mechanism, coupled to the shaft, for driving the shaft during use, the participant power mechanism being operable by at least one participant during use;
• a seating device configured to be located on the rotatable portion to hold the participant during use, and wherein the seating device is positioned proximate the participant power mechanism to facilitate operation of the participant power mechanism by the participant during use;
• a lighting system configured to display lights during use;
• a sound system configured to produce sounds during use;
• and
• a control system configured to be coupled to the lighting system and the sound system to automatically activate the lighting system and the sound system in response to a speed of rotation of the rotatable portion during use;
• wherein driving of the shaft powers the propulsion device such that the propulsion device applies a propulsive force to the rotatable portion during use, and wherein the rotatable portion is configured to rotate in response to the propulsive force.

A method for operating a water carousel, comprising:

• placing a water carousel on top of water, the water carousel comprising:
• a support member anchored to ground;
• a support platform for holding a participant, the support platform being configured to float on the water, wherein a rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate about the support member;
• a propulsion device coupled to the rotatable portion of the support platform, wherein the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform;
• a shaft coupled to the propulsion device;
• and
• a participant power mechanism, coupled to the shaft, for driving the shaft, the participant power mechanism being operable by a participant during use;
• operating the participant power mechanism to drive the shaft, thereby rotating the propulsion device to rotate the rotatable portion.

A method for constructing a water carousel system, comprising:

• anchoring a support member substantially perpendicular to ground;
• coupling a support platform to the support member, the support platform configured for holding a participant, the support platform being further configured to float on water during use, wherein a rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate about the support member during use;
• and
• positioning a bushing between the rotatable portion and the support member for allowing the rotatable portion to rotate about the support member;
• coupling a propulsion device to the rotatable portion of the support platform such that the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform such that the platform rotates about the support member along the surface of the water.

A water carousel system, comprising:

• a support member anchored perpendicular to ground;
• a support platform for holding a participant, the support platform being configured to float on water during use, wherein a rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate about the support member during use;
• a roof coupled to the support member in a position above the support platform, wherein the roof is configured to rotate about the support member independently of the rotatable portion during use;
• a propulsion device coupled to the rotatable portion of the support platform, wherein the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform, such that the platform rotates about the support member along the surface of the water during use;
• wherein powering of the propulsion device applies a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform during use, and wherein the rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate in response to the propulsive force.

A water carousel system, comprising:

• a support member anchored to ground;
• a support platform for holding a participant, the support platform being configured to float on water during use, wherein a rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate about the support member during use;
• a bearing coupled to the rotatable portion for allowing the rotatable portion to rotate about the support member during use;
• a propulsion device coupled to the rotatable portion of the support platform, wherein the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform, such that the platform rotates about the support member along the surface of the water during use;
• wherein powering of the propulsion device applies a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform during use, and wherein the rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate in response to the propulsive force.

A water carousel system, comprising:

• a support member anchored to ground;
• a support platform for holding a participant, the support platform being configured to float on water during use, wherein a rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate about the support member during use;
• a propulsion device coupled to the rotatable portion of the support platform, wherein the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform, such that the platform rotates about the support member along the surface of the water during use, wherein the propulsion device comprises a paddle, propeller, or paddle wheel;
• wherein powering of the propulsion device applies a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform during use, and wherein the rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate in response to the propulsive force.

A water carousel system, comprising:

• a support member anchored to ground;
• a support platform for holding a participant, the support platform being configured to float on water during use, wherein a rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate about the support member during use;
• a propulsion device coupled to the rotatable portion of the support platform, wherein the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform, such that the platform rotates about the support member along the surface of the water during use, wherein the propulsion device is a wheel, and wherein a non-rotatable portion of the platform comprises a substantially circular track, the track being configured to guide the wheel during use;
• wherein powering of the propulsion device applies a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform during use, and wherein the rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate in response to the propulsive force.

A method for constructing a water carousel system, comprising:

• anchoring a support member substantially perpendicular to ground;
• coupling a support platform to the support member, the support platform configured for holding a participant, the support platform being further configured to float on water during use, wherein a rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate about the support member during use;
• coupling a propulsion device to the rotatable portion of the support platform such that the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform such that the platform rotates about the support member along the surface of the water;
• and
• coupling a roof to the support member, wherein the roof is configured to rotate independently of the rotatable portion.

A method for constructing a water carousel system, comprising:

• anchoring a support member substantially perpendicular to ground;
• coupling a support platform to the support member, the support platform configured for holding a participant, the support platform being further configured to float on water during use, wherein a rotatable portion of the support platform is configured to rotate about the support member during use;
• coupling a propulsion device to the rotatable portion of the support platform such that the propulsion device is configured to impart a propulsive force to the rotatable portion of the support platform such that the platform rotates about the support member along the surface of the water;
• and
• positioning a bearing between the rotatable portion and the support member for allowing the rotatable portion to rotate about the support member.