Zorbing is adrenaline fuelled high-octane fun

The Mayo News’ Trevor Quinn in high spirits after zorbing in the Hydro ball at Westport House

Rolling down that hill


In the first of a series where we challenge our journalists to move outside their comfort zones, we sent the queasy Trevor Quinn hurtling down a steep hill in a giant inflatable ball.

Trevor Quinn

The editor sold the idea of zorbing at Westport House as a fun jaunt out of the office - a bit of tomfoolery if you like. Twenty-four-hours later I was rolling down a steep hill in a giant hydro ball.
As a child my travel sickness was so utterly consistent that my brothers and sister would often quarrel between themselves about who would run the gauntlet of sitting beside me in the car. Fresh vomit was not perceived to be an attractive clothing accessory even in the age of shell-suit tracksuits and oversized perms.
While adulthood has eased these tendencies somewhat I am still not the least bit comfortable when my stomach is hovering down at my ankles. Confined rocky spaces are usually avoided at all costs.
As the instructors are ready to unleash me and The Mayo News snapper Michael McLaughlin a shout of ‘hope you didn’t eat much for breakfast’ is roared abruptly and this is followed by a hearty, sinister sounding laugh. I immediately imagine myself on an out-of-control hamster wheel careering down the steep hill with tumbleweed for company.
This ride we have been told is the Harness Zorb - the more extreme of the two - and the most stomach churning if the scaremongers are to be believed! Quickening palpitations follow before the land down under becomes the land above. The grass and sky go flashing by intermittently and vigorously.
‘And we’re off’ my companion shouts as I get flung around like a rag doll in a tumble dryer. While I am vertically challenged there are more than 30 points of attachment connecting me to the zorb so safety is meticulous and I feel very secure as a harness and straps cover the majority of my body, although I do wonder if my stomach is going to stay in situ!
As we roll down the hillside chuckling and laughing any lingering fear turns to sporadic bouts of laughter from the pit of our stomachs. It’s similar to that uncontrollable laughter you used to get when you rolled down a hill as a child and didn’t recognise your bottom from your forehead! Exhilarating, gratifying and lots of fun.



Reaching the bottom fuelled with adrenaline we shrug any pre-departure anxieties aside bursting out through the hatch like triumphant soldiers emerging out of a tank. We both concur: ‘that was great craic, I think I’ll try the other one’.
An earlier line from Adventure West MD Ian rings very true to summarise the experience. “The best thing for me is watching kids who may be a little apprehensive at first but once they try it their jumping out with a big grin asking their mum and dad if they can go again.”
That summary was similar to the exuberance of youth we portrayed as we disembarked from the Harness ride and prepared for the Hydro. The Hydro can be best described as an invigorating mix of a waterslide and a rollercoaster all in one. It reminded me of what it would feel like to travel in a rally car with a built-in jacuzzi. Up to three riders can enter simultaneously and 20 to 25 litres of warm water is added to moisten the senses!
After that the door is closed and the zorb is launched downhill. Fun-filled craziness in all its glory. Shorts, t-shirts and towels are all provided as are ample amounts of bubble bath.
Ian challenged me to try standing as long as I could exclaiming that one individual had managed to run all the way down the hill in the Hydro. I foolishly agreed I was up to the challenge and tentatively tiptoed forward in the zorb before spectacularly landing on my ass all of two seconds later!
It was a brave but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to impress any onlookers. Having the balance of a rhinoceros didn’t help and I emerged to sympathetic acclaim moments later covered in bubbles looking like the Michelin Man!
I thoroughly enjoyed zorbing. I literally tumbled out of my comfort zone and would highly recommend it to thrill-seekers.

What is Zorbing?
Zorbing first began in New Zealand in the mid 1990’s and was developed by Andrew Akers and Dwayne van der Sluis and hit the extreme sport scene in 1998.
Essentially you are harnessed in an inflatable ball and sent hurtling down a hill. Adventure West in Westport can now boast to have the only man-made zorbing run in Ireland.
Ian Moore, Adventure West Managing Director, worked closely with the original inventors of this crazy sport in designing the zorbing track and site to careful specifications. They also supply Ian and his team with the highest quality zorbing balls - the WEGO (harnessed) and H20G) (hydro), while particular care is taken with safety equipment.
“In some places in Eastern Europe velcro is very popular but we spent time researching and investing in the best safety equipment possible. It cost us more but it means every user emerges safely after enjoying themselves,” says Ian Moore.
The zorbing site at Westport House is open every day until the end of August (and weekends until the end of October) from 10am to 6pm.  See their website www.adventurewest.ie or contact 087 3627828 for more details. Special discounted rates are available for group bookings.