Splash patiently waiting in line for a ride on the Looff Carousel.
This summer has been a busy one for our friend Splash the Pelican. He set some lofty goals at the beginning of the year and has been working hard to make them happen. Today Splash is back on the blog to give you all a much anticipated update a specific one of his 2026 New Year’s resolutions. It is an ambitious goal to ride the Looff Carousel 115 times by the end of the year, and Splash is really hoping to achieve the goal on the Carousel’s official 115th birthday, August 1st!
Splash and Nicholas riding the Carousel.
To date, his most memorable rides happened on May 22nd when he was lucky enough to ride with a legend. Back in 2011, when we celebrated the Carousel’s centennial, then 17-year-old Nicholas Laschkewitsch attempted something no one else dared. He rode the Carousel 100 times in one day!
Nicholas Laschkewitsch ready to ride 100 times, 2011.
“I’ve ridden the Looff Carousel for almost my entire life. For the Boardwalk to have supported my crazy idea to ride it 100 times in a single day back in 2011 on its 100th birthday, I couldn’t have asked for better support. While I was sore for a week, the memory of that marathon, much like a family’s first visit to the Boardwalk, lives on forever. Oh, and for those wondering, over the course of that 12-hour marathon, I threw 43 rings into the clown’s mouth.”
Looking back at the day with fondness, Nicholas recently came back to the Boardwalk to take a couple rides with Splash and give him some valuable advice.
On a special visit to the Boardwalk Nicholas brought the plaque he received for riding the Carousel 100 times in a row in 2011 to help inspire Splash as he undertakes his Carousel rides.
“In order to maximize one’s day of riding on the Looff Carousel, it is imperative you practice spinning in circles ahead of time for as long as possible. For example, if you’re a human, a swiveling desk chair is perfect for such an activity. Or, if you’re a pelican, flying in circles all day long is the best thing a bird can do! I believe in you, Splash – you peliCAN do it!”
Energized and inspired by Nicholas, Splash is ready to make this New year’s Resolution a reality and pay homage to the heart and soul of the Boardwalk. Check out how you too can celebrate this milestone for the Boardwalk’s oldest ride HERE.
Stay tuned to see if he makes to 115 by August 1st and who knows, there may be some other special guests joining him for a spin.
