Zorb

Have you wondered what it might feel like if you're inside a washing machine? One way to find out is to try Zorb, one of the more extreme attractions at Rotorua.

What is Zorb? The best way to describe it is a human hamster ball. You sit inside a giant plastic ball, which is then pushed down a slope. As the ball rolls down the slope, you experience the thrill and joy of being tossed around.

Zorb ball getting ready to be rolled down the slope

My interpretation of the experience

Zorb is something to experience if you're ever in Rotorua, have NZD40 to spare, and would like try something crazy. That's exactly the situation I found myself in, so I thought, "what the hell, you only live once." :-)

There are 2 options, and 2 tracks. The 2 options are: dry or wet. For the dry option, you are harnessed to a seat inside the ball. As the ball rolls, the seat, and you, roll along with it. For the wet option, you are not harnessed to anything, and are free to tumble around inside the ball. The ball is filled with about 10cm of water, hence it's wet (to reduce friction). The 2 tracks are straight or zig-zag. The straight track is faster, while the zig-zag has more bumps.

I chose the wet option, and zig-zag. The experience was... well, hard to describe. Maybe my expression in the pictures below will show you.

Dazed after the ride

Yes!

Zorb was invented in New Zealand, but has now spread all over the world. It can be risky, if not handled safely. Recently, one person was killed, and another seriously injured, when their Zorb ball rolled off a cliff in Russia. The Zorb in NZ is very safe, because they have high safety standards.