Absolutely ab-zorbing
AS FAR as invitations go, they don't normally come much more surreal than being invited to roll down a hill for fun but ever the professionals, MAIL reporters Iain McKenzie and Niall Kerr went along to experience Ireland's newest thrill-seeking sensation - Zorbing.
From the outside it’s easy to see why it might seem like fun to reach speeds of up to 30mph while strapped to the inside of a giant inflatable sphere like a physically abused hamster.
But hanging there with just seconds to go before the big push, the feeling is not unlike dread as we ask ourselves - why do we enjoy some pain? Surely my heart shouldn’t beat this fast? Can this be legal?
But as with any thrill-seeking endeavour the dread is part of the fun. Were it not for the damp outline of your underwear you might not fully appreciate what you’ve just achieved.
Zorbing, the latest thrill-seeking craze to hit these shores, offers willing participants the opportunity to experience what it must be like to live inside a football.
Harnessed to the inside of an inflated, transparent sphere, users are ejected over the side of a steep hill as you reach speeds of close to 30mph that inside the zorb feels more like 60mph.
The innovative experience is on display at The Jungle, Moneymore and can proudly boast to being the first such venue in Ireland.
The Jungle has grown from strength to strength since it opened in July 2005 solely as a paintballing site. From there it grew to house such activities as clay pigeon shooting, archery and various team building experiences.
And as founder Robert Carmichael explained to us, there’s yet more excitement to come.
“We’re proud to be the first Zorbing site in Ireland,” he said. “And at the minute we’re also installing hot tubs down by the farmhouse which we also hope will be successful. Our first clients are already booked in for a zorbing and hot tub combination.
“And that’s what we hope to be able to promote - the fact that you can combine a few of the activities together so whether you’ve just finished paintballing or want to use the hot tubs, we’re sure people will want to experience the zorbing too.”
Although only operating a short period of time the zorbing has quickly caught on with punters, says Robert, who is keen to let people know that The Jungle isn’t just about paintballing but has diversified into one of the premier leisure and entertainment sites in the country.
A DARD spokesperson who attended the official launch offered his congratulations to The Jungle on the success of their latest project.
He added that the diversification projects being undertaken by farms was essential to their success and praised the efforts of The Jungle for their innovative and exciting ideas.
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
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