Chaos – Toon C. van de Weerdt
KMG Afterburner with a British past
Operator: Toon C. van de Weerdt (Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands) · since 2011
Chaos van de Weerdt is a Dutch KMG Afterburner with a large seating gondola that swings like a powerful pendulum over the fairground. Showman Toon C. van de Weerdt has operated this particular ride since 2011. Chaos should not be confused with the announced Super Chaos: this well-known ride belongs to the older generation of Afterburners and has a story of its own, which began in the UK.
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What to expect
- Multi-axis rotation
Highlights & records
KMG Afterburner 24; large pendulum movement with a rotating seating group. Not the same as the new ride Super Chaos announced for 2029.
Chaos swings over the funfair as a classic Afterburner, combining a powerful pendulum ride with more than two decades of touring history.
What a ride on Chaos van de Weerdt is like
The Afterburner combines two movements. A large arm swings the seating group upwards in an arc. At the same time, the gondola rotates, changing the direction you face as you swing. Passengers sit together in a seating arrangement that is visible from the outside. At the top, you experience not only height but also a rapid change from the upward movement to the swing back down.
Unlike a traditional swinging ship ride, passengers do not control the swing themselves. The operator controls the ride programme. The combination of a swinging arm and rotating seating group is the Afterburner's trademark. The movement is particularly impressive from the outside because the gondola changes direction with every swing.
Video
General
- Manufacturer
- KMG (Netherlands)
- Model
- Afterburner 24
- Year built
- 1999
- Serial number
- KMG-99-FRB-24-012
Vehicles & capacity
- Gondolas
- 1
- Riders per gondola
- 24
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 18 × 13 m
- Power rating
- 100 kW
The story of Chaos: from Wilson to van de Weerdt
The Dutch manufacturer KMG built the Afterburner 1999. The ride initially travelled with Bob Wilson Funfairs in the UK. In 2010, it had a brief spell with Benassi Bros. in France. Toon van de Weerdt then took over the ride. Kermisland documents its Dutch debut under the new operator in March 2011 in Schiedam.
A widely noted turning point followed 2017. After an accident involving another Afterburner ride in the USA, the operator prudently took Chaos out of service during the Tilburgse Kermis. The decision and the subsequent technical inspections were covered by Dutch media at the time. This event is part of the history of this particular ride, but should not be confused with an accident on Chaos itself.
Even years later, Chaos is closely associated with its operator. A portrait from March 2026 shows Toon van de Weerdt working on his ride. This long-standing connection is what makes Afterburner a recognisable name at Dutch fairgrounds.
Timeline
1999 KMG Afterburner for Bob Wilson Funfairs. 2010 Benassi Bros. in France, since 2011 Toon C. van de Weerdt. Dutch debut under van de Weerdt on 23.03.2011 in Schiedam. 2017 Precautionary suspension of operations and inspection following an accident involving another Afterburner ride in the USA.
- Operator
- Toon C. van de Weerdt (Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands)
- With operator since
- 2011
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
- Last known season
- 2026
Previous operators
1999–2010 Bob Wilson Funfairs (United Kingdom); 2010 Benassi Bros. (France).
Who is Chaos van de Weerdt suitable for?
Chaos is a thrill ride for visitors who enjoy swinging movements and changing acceleration. Even your position in the gondola can shape the experience, as your direction of view keeps changing. If you are uncomfortable with heights or strong movements, watch how the ride works before deciding. The specific height and safety rules are displayed at the entrance and are set by the ride team.
The ride particularly appeals to fans of large swinging attractions. Unlike a gentle roundabout ride, it features pronounced up-and-down movements. Find more rides using pendulum technology in our ride overview.
