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How do you play Downpour DerbyT?
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Two players face off, and each pumps so that water flows upward into the
bucket over their opponent's head. The fastest to pump makes the other
person's bucket spill, getting them soaked.
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Players can be standing or seated to play. Being seated helps ensure
players won't "run away" when the bucket over their head starts
spilling. The pump handle is turned with the right hand, while the
left hand may hold the pump housing and left foot may be placed on the
pump stand's stabilizing leg.
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Alternatively, the hoses can be connected in reverse (connect below
bucket structure), so that the person pumping can get the bucket over
their own head to spill. Great for very hot days, relay races, and
other creative games.
How long has Downpour Derby been available?
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Downpour Derby (Patent No. 7,316,400) was invented in late 2005, and first
made available in May 2006.
How does the game get its water?
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Downpour Derby has a 10-gallon self-refilling water tank that you attach
to a garden hose. The tank has a "float valve" that makes it
automatically refill itself when the water level drops (when players are
pumping water). In current model units the tank is installed at the game's center to provide water
more efficiently and also add weight for stability.
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Downpour Derby can also be played while sourcing water directly from a
nearby in-ground pool, instead of the game's water tank. Special hoses
are needed for this (available from WhirlWhims LLC), as hoses that are
too narrow or long cause pumps to overwork and break.
How long does it take to spill the Downpour
Bucket? And, how much water spills when the Downpour Bucket tips?
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About 15-20 turns of the rotary pump handle fills the bucket to its
"tipping point", when the bucket is just about half full, spilling about
1.5 gallons.
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The new 2007 Downpour Derby model has an optional "Extreme Play"
counterweight kit (available from WhirlWhims LLC) that adds extra weight
on the Bucket platforms. The extra weight lets the buckets fill all
the way to the top, after 30-40 handle turns. Then, the bucket spills
its full 3-gallon capacity on the opponent.
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For a 2008 MTV reality show a few games were specially outfitted
with 4.5 gallon buckets and extra counterweights, which doubled
competition time and spilled the full 4 1/2 gallons with each play.
A few of the "MTV" units are available as of April, 2008 (special
request - please ask.)
How do the buckets work?
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All Downpour Derby buckets are mounted on weighted, springed platforms,
which make the buckets return to "normal" position after spilling.
However, the "loser" in each competition needs to finish pumping to then
spill the remaining bucket, or reach up and tip it over manually, before
the next competition. (It's best to also tip the "winner's" bucket
before each play too; to be sure it's empty of water).
What safety precautions are important?
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Yes. The game must be set up on level ground, in an area where there
is good drainage (many 1.5 to 3 gallon water spills creates puddles and
slippery mud if not). Adult supervision is required for set-up and
play.
Where can I get Downpour Derby?
What is Downpour Derby made of?
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Current models use all aluminum and stainless steel parts, and
unbreakable rubber buckets. The aluminum tubing is rectangular.
Hosing is clear PVC, with garden hose connectors on both ends that
connect to welded fittings.
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The original 2006 models of Downpour Derby are round aluminum tubing, and use
clear PVC hoses and plastic hose connectors. The pump stands are
aluminum, with an attached steel pipe and fitting that connect to the
pumps. The buckets are galvanized steel welded to steel plates and
hinges.
How do you set it up?
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Downpour Derby is a modular game with 14 pieces
(current model) that fit together to set up in about 10-15 minutes. All
pieces are tightened/locked in place with either a Phillips head
screwdriver, or by pushing attached stainless steel pins through
pre-drilled holes.
How do you carry it around from place to place?
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The current Downpour Derby model has a carry bag set (optional).
Additionally a wheeled hard-sided case is availably from Philly Case Co.
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The original 2006 units have a Carry Bag (optional) to fit all game pieces.
Can Downpour Derby be permanently installed?
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Yes, current model Downpour Derby games can be mounted by drilling
holes near each pump stand
What's the difference between the current
model and the original 2006 Downpour Derby models?
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First, both the original model and the newer or modified ones play the
same - dueling water pumps to soak your competitor -- and are great fun.
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The original concept, tested prototypes and first commercially-sold
units of Downpour Derby used "lever" pumps (push handle up and down to
pump water). However, once in use at competitive events, we received
many reports of pump failures and a few pinched fingers. So we
replaced all of the "lever" pumps with rotary pumps (turn a crank handle
round and round to pump water). We have since upgraded all in-play
Downpour Derby games from PVC rotary pumps to more durable and reliable
polypropylene rotary pumps. We have also modified and improved the
original pump stands and game leg connectors, to improve stability and
durability of the 2006 units.
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The current Downpour Derby model includes a completely
redesigned structure that uses the polypropylene rotary pumps (we modify
them in factory for even better performance), and a wide range of
improvements for stability, durability and even more fun. For more
details, click to download:
What's the Warranty?
All WhirlWhims games, including Downpour
Derby, carry a 1-year warranty that starts when the product is delivered.
Have a question about Downpour Derby? Send it in! Or call us directly at 973.402.5531. We'll soon be posting frequently asked questions below.
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