Zorbing, as defined by the Concise Oxford Dictionary, is 'a sport in which a participant is secured inside an inner capsule in a large, transparent ball which is then rolled along the ground or down hills.' Invention of the zorb is credited to the Acker brothers from New Zealand but hey, anything they can do, we can do better, right?
Zorb Gold Coast (
232 Old Pacific Highway, Pimpama) is the only registered Australian zorbing site and has a track specially designed so that riders can reach speeds of up to 35 kilometres per hour. There are two types of rides. The Hydro Ride involves buckets of water to make the ride more slippery (hence, more fun) and to avoid friction burns. The Harness Ride is a little more extreme, and involves being strapped in so that you rotate with the ball. The Hydro Ride can take three riders at a time, while the Harness Ride only allows one.
Fun zorbing facts:
• Riders are called zorbonauts.
• According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest ride was 570 metres.
• In 1999, Jet Propulsion Laboratory's requested zorb balls for the Mars Landings.
Anyone older than six may zorb, but there are some
height and weight restrictions. Prices start from $55 for a single Harness or Hydro Ride.
