THE dream of being paid to travel the world and test water slides has become a reality for one man from Wedmore.
Two weeks ago, the Mercury reported that Sebastian Smith, aged 22, would be travelling to Egypt to take part in five challenges in the hopes of being chosen as First Choice’s slide tester.
Over 2,000 people applied for the role, and Sebastian and five other finalists travelled to the five-star Iberotel Makadi Saraya Splash Resort to battle it out for the job.
After testing his skills on the slides, Sebastian impressed a panel of judges to secure the role.
He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to be chosen as the new Slide Tester for SplashWorld and can’t wait to get started in my new job.
“I can’t believe I’ll be travelling the world judging slides based on the ‘biggest splash’ and ‘adrenalin factor’. It’s going to be amazing.”
He will be given a six-month contract where he will get to test the slides and flumes at SplashWorld water parks in destinations such as Majorca, Turkey and Egypt.
Luke Gaskins, First Choice head of holiday innovation, said: “We’re thrilled to have Seb as our new slide tester and to welcome him as part of the First Choice team.
“We were impressed by his enthusiasm and skills at every stage of our search and at the final in Makadi Saraya Splash Resort Egypt it was clear that we’d found the ideal person for the role of Slide Tester.
“Seb is going to be a key part of the team who will help us to give our SplashWorld customers the best all-inclusive water park experience possible and we can’t wait for him to get sliding.”
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