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WHAT IS ZORBING?
Zorbing: The activity of travelling downhill inside a large air-cushioned hollow ball
Zorb: A zorb is a rather large spherical ball, that one throws him or herself down a large hill in.
The Zorb is a double-sectioned ball, with one ball inside the other with a layer of air in between, which acts as shock absorber. The numerous small ropes connecting the inner and outer ball holds the Zorb together.
WHERE DID ZORBING ORIGINATE?
In 1994, Andrew Akers and Dwane van der Sluis invented a big inflatable ball that people could jump inside and roll around in. Initially they thought they could use the ball for walking on water but they soon found they could have more fun rolling down hills in it.
Andrew and Dwane were inspired by a ball on a television commercial with people inside. When the people got out of the ball, it deflated. Andrew and Dwane felt deflated when they saw the ball losing air, so they added a new twist to the idea. They invented a ball that had two skins...and the zorb was born.
To know about zorbing more,check the inventors webpage
http://www.theogo.com/About_History.html
TYPES OF ZORBING
Generally, Zorbing is performed on gentle slopes, but can also be done on a level surface.
There are two different types of Zorbs: Dry Zorb and Wet Zorb.
A slight variation where in water is thrown in the zorb. The Hydro ride has no harness and water is thrown in so that you (and a friend or two) can slip, slide and spin inside the Zorb all the way down the hill. In winter, warm water is used for a lovely spa-type experience. Its like a cross between a waterside and a rollercoaster.
MY FIRST TIME DRY ZORB EXPERIENCE
I had never tried zorbing before,and this was my first chance.So the real feel of zorbing could be described as a roller coaster that doesnt make you dizzy and is a fun sport.
Dry zorb is a attractive clear spherical ball,and it takes a quick jump to go in.Even if you dont manage to jump in,you can still roll yourself in.
Once I was in the dry zorb,the instructors got me all strapped,and there it goes.It started with a push and it rolled down to some distance.Whereas inside I could see the whole 360 degrees view of everything around,the sky,the land,the grass...It was a complete roll over..but it felt nice at the end,not puky,not dizzy but simply gud.Even kids as small as 5 years tried this sport and were as happy as ever.
So if you are a little skeptical to try this sport,do not fear the unknown and you'd be happy in the end.
MY FIRST TIME WET ZORBING EXPERIENCE
A wet zorb is an equally fun sport.The difference between the dry and the wet zorb is that the ball is inflated in wet zorb once you go in and zipped,so that the water doesnt come out whereas in dry zorb,you get into the zorb through one of two entries..and its not zipped or locked.
My experience with web zorb was..
I got into the deflated zorb,and then the ball started inflating..the whole process took approximately 2 minutes..
And then once the ball was fully inflated,I started moving towards the water body taking the ball alongwith...
Once the ball goes into the water,I go unbalanced.It is just so difficult to stand at the first time on a water zorb as the waves in the water makes the ball unbalanced..Not impossible.Though once you get up and stand,you got to run inside,so that the ball moves.
The whole getting up,standing up,running in the ball is so much fun and an altogether different experience.
IS ZORBING SAFE?
Zorbing is safe. A harness keeps the rider in place on dry rides, and the 459 cubic feet (13 cubic meters) of air sandwiched between the two plastic balls provides ample cushion.
IS ZORBING NAUSEATING?
Contrary to what you might think, zorbing isn't particularly nauseating -- well, at least according to Andrew Akers, one of the sphere's inventors. He says that in over 100,000 rides, no one has ever thrown up.
While the zorb moves downhill at a good clip, because of its circumference, the person inside only makes one complete rotation about every 30 feet (9 m). While the length of each track varies, you can generally expect about 700 feet (213 m) of fun on your ride.
ZORBING IN INDIA
1) Solang Nullah near Manali in Himachal Pradesh
2) Gulmarg in Summers
3) Bhor, near pune
BEST ZORBING SITES WORLDWIDE
1) Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island.
2) Zorb has rolled into England
3) The mountains of Norway, the middle of Sweden
4) The Gold Coast in Australia
5 The alpine hills of Switzerland
6) To China the USA (Smoky Mountains) and Argentina.
ZORBING IN MOVIES
Jackie Chan bounces down a cliff in a Zorb* Ball. From the introduction to Armour of God II: Operation Condor.
HOW DOES IT FEEL INSIDE A ZORB
