Zorbing

Zorbing (also known as globe-riding, sphereing, orbing) is the recreation or sport of rolling downhill inside an orb, typically made of transparent plastic.[1] Zorbing is generally performed on a gentle slope but can also be done on a level surface, permitting more rider control. In the absence of hills, some operators have constructed inflatable, wooden, or metal ramps. Due to the buoyant nature of the orbs, Zorbing can also be carried out on water, provided the orb is inflated properly and sealed once the rider is inside. "Water walking" using such orbs has become popular in theme parks across the UK.[2]

Zorbing
Zorbs in Rotorua
Highest governing bodyZORB Limited
First played1994, Stien Vermeiren, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Characteristics
TypeIndoor or Outdoor and extreme
EquipmentZorb

There are two types of orbs: harnessed and non-harnessed. Non-harnessed orbs carry up to three riders, while the harnessed orbs are constructed for one to two riders. The first zorbing site was established in Rotorua, New Zealand, by ZORB Ltd.[3]

History
Zorbing at the Chew Stoke Harvest Home September 2010

A Russian article on the Zorb mentions a similar device having debuted in 1973.[4] In the early 1980s, the Dangerous Sports Club constructed a giant sphere (reportedly 23 metres or 75 feet across) with a gimbal arrangement supporting two deck chairs inside. This device was eventually cut up for scrap.[5] Human spheres have been depicted in mass media since 1990 when the Gladiators event "Atlaspheres" first aired, albeit with steel balls.[6]

In 1994, three investors created the firm ZORB Limited in New Zealand to create suitable spheres for humans and to commercialize sphereing.[7] Their business model was to develop the activity via a franchise system. Zorbing entered the Concise Oxford English Dictionary in 2001 where it was defined as: "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".

Construction

The orb is double-sectioned, with one ball inside the other with an air layer in between (unlike the water walking ball, which is usually a single thin-walled ball). This acts as a shock absorber for the rider. Orbs are lightweight and made of flexible plastic. Many orbs have straps to hold the rider in place, while others leave the rider free to walk the orb around or be tossed about freely by the rolling motion. A typical orb is about 3 metres (10 ft) in diameter with an inner orb size of about 2 metres (6 ft 7 in), leaving a 50–60 centimetre (20–24 in) air cushion around the riders. The plastic is approximately 0.8 millimetres (0.03 in) thick. The inner and outer orbs are connected by small nylon strings. Orbs have one or two tunnel-like entrances.

Facilities

'Hill-rolling' and 'globe riding' are generic names for this activity which is practised in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Sweden, Estonia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Japan, Kochi in India, Phuket in Thailand, and Slovenia. In the United States, there are facilities in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Amesbury, Massachusetts, and Roundtop Mountain Resort, Lewisberry and Pennsylvania.

Records

The Guinness Book of World Records recognises five sphereing records:

  • The longest distance travelled in a single roll is held by Steve Camp, of South Africa, who travelled 570 metres (1,870 ft).[8]
  • The fastest sphereing ride is held by New Zealand's Keith Kolver, who reached a speed of 52 kilometres per hour (32 mph).[9]
  • The fastest 100 metres (330 ft) in a Zorb is 23.21 seconds; it is held by James Duggan, of Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland, who broke the record during the Sam Maguire Harvest Festival on the September 8, 2019.

Injuries and deaths

Although the cushioning design of the orbs prevents many serious injuries, light injuries such as bruises and grazes can often be sustained by colliding with objects or tripping whilst the orb is rolling down an incline. Even though severe injury is rare, there have been cases of children passing out due to lack of air and even some deaths. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has urged consumers to stop using water walking balls "due to the potential risks of suffocation and drowning" and reports that several states have banned their use.[10]

In June 2009, a teacher died (and a pupil was severely injured) in the Czech Republic while zorbing.[11]

In January 2013 at a ski resort in Dombay, Russia, a man died from a broken neck, and another was badly injured when the Zorb he was in rolled out of control down a mountain, hitting rocks and eventually coming to a stop a kilometre away on a frozen lake.[12][13][14] The incident was caught on camera and uploaded to the Internet.[15] After the incident made international headlines, Russian authorities called for tougher safety laws.[16]

See also

References
  1. DNews. "What Is Zorbing? And Is It Really Fun If You're Over 20?". Seeker. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  2. bersmythuk (25 June 2012). "Noah in Aqua Zorb, Chessington 25June12" – via YouTube.
  3. "Zorbing: The best way to roll down a hill without looking too ridiculous | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  4. БАЗЫЛЮК, Марина (March 1, 2005). Новые Известия / Кого не берут в космонавты, тот становится зорбонавтом. (in Russian). Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  5. "What on earth is a zorb?". ExtremeDreams. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  6. "Operation Condor - Zorb ball scene - YouTube". 2007-01-19. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  7. READ, ELLEN (14 Aug 2003). "Zorb inventors rolling in it" (14 Aug 2003). New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  8. "Greatest Distance Zorbing". Guinness World Records. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  9. "World's fastest 'zorbanaut' kicks off Guinness World Records Day". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 9, 2006.
  10. "Consumer Alert: CPSC Warns of Deadly Danger with Water Walking Balls". U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  11. "Teacher killed in zorbing accident". News.com.au. June 5, 2009.
  12. "'Zorbing' Death Brings Call For Safety Rules; Fatal Ride Captured On Video". NPR. January 9, 2013.
  13. "Fatal Zorb accident at ski resort". 3 News NZ. January 9, 2013.
  14. "Man in Plastic Ball Dies on Russian Ski Slope". The New York Times. January 11, 2013.
  15. "VIDEO: Zorb death at Russian ski resort". Mobile Reporter (RU). January 4, 2013.
  16. "Russia probes Zorb death". 3 News NZ. January 10, 2012.
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