Breakdance (ride)

Amusement ride

Breakdance is an amusement ride designed by Huss Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG in 1985. Upon release, the ride design proved to be an instant hit, with HUSS now producing four varying designs, all of which can be acquired in transportable, semi permanent, or permanent forms.

Breakdance consists of a dodecagonal platform with a diameter of 20 meters, upon which are mounted four hubs, each bearing four two person cars. The entire ride is on an incline of 7.5°. When the ride is activated, the platform rotates, the hubs rotate in the opposite direction to the platform. The combination of the platform slope, hub movement, and weight displacement within the cars cause them to rock back and forth, the oblique join mount and the motion of the ride allowing the cars to rotate through 360°. Huss recommends that riders be a minimum of tall with an adult and over tall to ride alone on all models except for the Rodeo/Breakdance 4 variant; on this model riders must be at least tall. Breakdances incorporate backdrops, and the provision for sound systems, elaborate light displays, and special effects equipment is made. Controls for these additional systems can easily be routed through the operator's console. Traveling versions of this ride can be disassembled and stowed on two 40 feet (12 m) trailers, one for the ride itself, the other carrying the platforms, backdrop, special effects equipment and ticketbox.

The success of the design has prompted HUSS to manufacture three additional variants to the Breakdance design. These are:
Breakdance 2 Six four car hubs are installed on the Octadecagon platform. Breakdance 3 The dodecagonal platform is reduced to in diameter, and the slope of the platform is changed, making the platform slightly cone shaped. No backdrop is sold with this ride, which in combination with the size and slope reductions, significantly reduces the overall weight of the ride. The 8 ton difference makes this variant popular for transportable operations. Breakdance 4 Also known as a Rodeo, this variant removes the platform entirely. Instead, three four members of a "crew" are connected to the central dance by extended arms. There is no slope to the dance. It is much better suited for families than the other variants. Breakdance 5 The decagonal main disc will be reduced to a diameter of less than The ride will feature cross shaped gyros with four gondolas that are capable of carrying two passengers. Although officially a different ride and not a variant of Breakdance, after the success of Breakdance HUSS developed the Booster ride, which takes the idea a step further. It did not, however, gain the kind of success that Breakdance did.

Over 110 Breakdance rides have been manufactured by HUSS, the vast majority of which are still in operation.

Country Number Notes Australia 4 3 manufactured by Sobema, 1 by Fabbri Belgium 4 Deca Dance by HUSS, Crazy Dance by Sobema, Break Dance by HUSS, Grease (movie) built by Jabu Amusements Germany 46 at least 46 Netherlands 5 plus 1 transportable Stardancer owned by Frank Vale, and one Break Dance owned by R. van der Wiel, built by ARM Rides Portugal 1 the only transportable Huss Rodeo Breakdance (named Maxi Dance), originally built as a travelling prototype to visit tradefairs United Kingdom 3 Ryan McCole (Safeco), Jonathan Hart (Stumpf & Partner [Hungary]) United States 4 All made by Fabbri