Activities

Zorbing

Zorbing is an activity where one or more (usually no more than 3) people ride downhill in an inflated, transparent sphere. The sphere has an inner sphere with an air gap between to provide cushion for the occupants. Rider(s) climb inside the inner sphere through an opening. The two varieties of rides are dry vs. wet. In a dry ride, the rider(s) are secured against the walls of the sphere by a harness, and will rotate along with the orb. In a wet (or hydro) ride, several gallons of water are poured inside with the riders, who are not harnessed and will slide around inside the ball as it moves.

The sport originated in New Zealand in the 1990s. The company that invented the sport own the trademark ZORB for the name of the sphere, but the name Zorbing has become an official title of the sport, and has been added to the Oxford Dictionary. However, the sport is also known as orbing, sphereing, globe-riding, or freeballing). Zorbing is offered at a small, but growing, number of facilities around the world. These facilities construct channels and/or barriers to control the path of the orb.

Water versions have also appeared, with single-hulls. These present additional hazards due to the possibility of suffocation, drowning in cases where the ball is punctured, or injuries due to less padding around the user. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating the water products. Other water-specific versions have since been created that are more like cylinder versions of Zorbs, with thicker hulls and openings on both sides. These seem to address much of the hazards with the single-hull water balls. While generally safe, there is always a risk of injury or death. Very few deaths have occurred while Zorbing - one due to the orb losing control and crashing into rocks, and another from a passenger who died of dehydration from vomiting for several days due to nausea. Reputable facilities will monitor weather conditions and not allow rides if wind or weather is too dangerous.