It opened in 1987 under the name of Thunder River, and is the second oldest ride currently still in service at Thorpe Park.

In 2006 Ribena's sponsorship contract ended and the ride was named simply Rumba Rapids for the 2007 season.

In the rare occasion that the occupants of the boat all sit on the side facing the wave machine it is possible to get stuck in between the centre rocks, however this usually requires more than four people.

A staff member guides you out of the boat and you exit going past the On Ride Photo booth.

In the ride's opening year of 1987 a 7-year-old boy was thrown from a boat and lost an ear.