An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be more involved in a water attraction. An amusement ride system may include system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. The system may include one or more fluid jets. The fluid jets may function to produce a fluid stream having a predetermined velocity which is selectively greater, less than, or the same as a velocity of a participant at each of the fluid jet locations and are oriented tangentially with respect to the surface of the source of water so as to contact a participant and/or participant vehicle. An amusement ride system may include a system for controlling a participant flow rate through a multi path water amusement ride system. The system may include at least one gate mechanism which functions, upon activation, to inhibit a participant from entering one or more path choices. An amusement ride system may include a system for facilitating entry of a participant on a floatation device. The system may include one or more portions of water including a depth of water which allows a participant to more easily enter a floatation device.