Zorbing
Zorbing or Sphering originated in New Zealand and does not require any special training or fitness standards. The Zorb itself is actually two seperate spheres, made of a flexible plastic. The outer sphere is about 2.7m in diameter. The inner ball or sphere, which is suspened into its position by thousands of nylon strands that act as shock aborbers while the Zorb is in motion, is about 1.8m in diameter. This sphere can accommodate one to three passengers. The average Zorb contains 1 or 2 openings, that are about 2ft wide, through which the passengers can enter and exit. In addition to this, the openings also provide the passengers with a safe amount of oxygen during the ride.
A person who is Zorbing is refered to as a "Zorbonaut". A Zorb can be rolled down a hill or, if there is no natural hill, rolled down a metal track designed by the operator. There are two main types of Zorbng rides, dry and wet. In a dry ride the Zorbonaut is harnessed into one wall and rolled, head over heals, downhill. In a wet ride or hydro-zorbing the passenger is not strapped in. The operator adds about five gallons of water, hot or cold depending on the weather, into the Zorb. The passenger is then rolled down the hill.
This is an example of hydro-zorbing.
The Zorb does not travel fast enough to become airborn when traveling over rocks and bumps, but it does bounce along throughtout the ride. The actual speed in which you are going depends on muliple factors including, the wind, height and weight of a passenger, and whether your riding stapped in or free. However once strapped in you tend to gain more speed. Even though Zorbing seems like it could be nauseating, it isn't. Throwing up is extremely rare. One full rotation is made in a Zorb every 30 ft and the average length of a track usually varies, but one can expect about a 700 ft long ride.
In order to ride a Zorb you must sign a lengthy waiver and release form. But, over all Zorbing is a very safe sport. The passenger is strapped in during the dry rides and there is a lot of cushioning, specifically 453 cubic feet of air, between the two spheres. A trained operator also provides safety because the Zorb is on a confined track, the passenger has no control over steering or stopping. An operator at the top releases the sphere and an operator at the bottom is waiting to secure the Zorb while your ride comes to an end. In addition to this, Zorb courses on land have small berms that keep the Zorb in line, and the Zorb tracks have barriers on the sides to prevent the Zorb from tipping off the edges. The Zorb can, also, not pop. If it does become punctured than the small air leak will cause the Zorb to lose its round shape and gradually slow till it comes to a stop. Zorbing is overall very safe.