A water ride is disclosed. The water ride has a flume adapted to have riders or ride vehicles travel from an initial location at a first elevation to a terminal location at a second elevation lower than the first elevation. The flume includes at least one sliding section wherein the riders or ride vehicles slide on a sliding surface of the flume and at least one floating section wherein the riders or ride vehicles float in the flume. The floating section is fluidly connected to the first sliding section and includes a plurality of flow-altering elements attached to and protruding from the flume.