What better place to start this regular A – Z guide than with zorbing? The zorbing season got into motion at the end of April and won’t stop until October.
Invented in Rotorua, New Zealand by Van Der Sluis and Andrew Akers, the word zorbing entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2001. But it is also known as snowballing, globe-riding, sphereing, orbing or even hamstering. The last name gives the biggest clue for those who haven’t had the head-spinning pleasure of taking part. The zorb is approximately a three-metre wide transparent plastic ball, in which participants – known as zorbernauts – tumble around. The sport has two main offshoots: dry or harness zorbing or wet zorbing.
Dry Zorbing
With dry zorbing the person is strapped inside and rolled down a hill. The steepness of the courses varies, as do the distances travelled, which are anything from 200 to 500 meters. Speeds of up to 35 miles per hour have been reported but that is a rarity. Dry zorbing can either be done with two people strapped inside or one lone tumbler. But be warned, it is for those with a strong stomach and a head for the floor. Normally, better to wait until the fish and chips have been digested. Some zorbing centres are introducing Velcro-covered zorbs, which slow the zorb down for a gentler ride.
Wet or hydro zorbing. This is less of a spin and more of a frolic. Unlike dry zorbing, zorbernauts are not harnessed. Instead they attempt to stand up inside a plastic bubble. Water can either be poured inside the zorb or the zorb itself can be placed on the water. ‘Hysterical’ is the word most people use for the experience. ‘Wet’ is another one.
Zorbing courses normally have a minimum five-foot height requirement. If you want to roll up for zorbing, click here
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