Soaring Shamu, acrobatic dolphins and performing seals will soon be upstaged at SeaWorld by a thrill-ride roller coaster called “Manta.” Yep, the venerable theme park is retooling it’s carnival appeal for added excitement for the customers. This milestone of entertainment has come with the arrival of the first of the four-person cars. The opening date of the ride is set for May 20. Testing on the coaster is still several weeks away for the a two-minute ride that includes a 54-foot plunge. Unique features will include a launch station where huge images of manta rays will be visible on a giant, 270-degree screen via a state-of-the-art projection system. Once the coaster is completed, riders, seated two across on a 20-seat train shaped like a manta ray, will navigate more than a dozen twists and turns but never touch water.  The SeaWorld folks are always seeking new ways to entice visitors who apparently want more than just viewing penguins, sharks and aquariums. They have implemented many “side show” adjustments in past years.  Gone are “Gateway and Window to the Sea,” “Pirates 4-D,” the “Haunted Lighthouse,” “Mission Bermuda Triangle” and “Shamu’s Happy Harbor” for the little folks. The “Manta” coaster will join other current carnival rides like “Bayside Skyride,” “Journey to Atlantis,” “Sky Tower,” “Shipwreck Rapids” and “Wild Arctic.” Heck, the animals can’t have all the fun.  • Going to work — The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC’s) rugby team has won an unprecedented 15 national championships but team members say this will be a rebuilding year. Hired to do the team’s reconstruction is Gene Mountjoy,  a native of South Africa. Mountjoy most recently coached at Boston College and Boston RFC, a Super League side. Prior experience includes being on the staff for the USA men’s national team as the forwards coach, as well as head coach of other men’s clubs in the Northeast.   The OMBAC team tied Santa Monica 34-34 in the Southern California Rugby League opener.  • Down by three — Publicist Gregg Mansfield informs that the Ted Porter family is pulling its three hydros from competition and putting them up for sale. This comes following a six-year run in the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series. The team, based in Decatur, Ind., campaigned its boats on the 2011 tour and was coming off its best race of the season in Doha, Qatar, where the Valken.com, Graham Trucking and Formulaboats.com finished first, second and fourth, respectively. Of course, Dave Villwock dominated in winning the title and is expected to return again Sept. 16-18 at the Bayfair races at Mission Bay. • Kid time — Kevin McDonald has donned an “Elmo” costume many times at SeaWorld as one of several characters that roam the grounds. And the kids hug their favorite character, never wanting to let go. If Kevin’s last name sounds familiar, it should be.  He’s my 18-year-old actor grandson. • Long tradition — Crew Classic fans will be treated with the appearance of an entry from historic Harvard. In 1852, Harvard and Yale started it all when they met on the waters of Lake Winninesaukee, N.H. for the very first collegiate athletic competition of any kind. That topped the inaugural football clash between the two schools by 23 years. — Johnny McDonald is a longtime writer and columnist for the San Diego Community Newspaper Group. He can be reached at [email protected].