Launcher for a slide and method for starting a sliding process in a slide way, in particular a water slide, having a starting ramp, which includes a slide section having a slide surface, which has a loading zone for at least one user, which extends from an entry-side end of the slide section to a blocking device arranged in the slide section, the blocking device blocking the slide surface when in a starting position, and having a pivoting device, by which the starting ramp can be moved from a loading position to a starting position, and having a control device, which actuates the pivoting movement of the starting ramp between the loading position and the starting position and the blocking device between the starting position and a release position.