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Zorb: Another Reason New Zealanders Are Cooler Than You

Who of us didn’t want to try it when we saw Jackie Chan bounce down a mountainside in one in Operation Condor (well, who of us who saw Operation Condor didn’t want to try it)? But until Cool Hunter gave me a pointer, I had no idea what the these strange inflatable balls (yeah, go Google that) might be called or where to look for more information.

As it turns out, they’re called “Zorbs,” and the company even has a promo video to show them off. But as much as I want one, Allen, a spokesman for the manufacturer, tells me that while they might lease one to me for an event or promotion, I can’t buy one. Why not? Aside from legal and insurance issues, Allen tells me that the Zorbs are entirely hand-made and would be prohibitively costly.

For now, if you want to try it, you’ll have to go to New Zealand, where they’re made, or to another permanent site in Europe, Asia, or Australia. A run will set you back NZ$45 (about US$30), and prospective “Zorbonauts” get to choose between being harnessed in or trying to run it like a hamster wheel (you get a free t-shirt if you make it all the way down the hill on your feet).

Nobody really needs to ask “why?” (well, not if you’re reading this site, I hope), but I did want to know the story:

Andrew Akers and Dwane van der Sluis wanted to walk on water. Years earlier there had been an advertisement on TV with a few people inside a large clear ball floating on water. It looked like lots of fun BUT … a single skin ball had problems in that every time you entered or exited the ball it would deflate and need to be reinflated and sealed. The idea for a double skin ball was born. A prototype was built in the garage of Andrew’s house and lo and behold - IT WORKED! ASTONISHING! So down to the water to test it. It was kind of fun on water, but exhausting and after being blown out to sea a few times they realised it was more work than it was worth. BUT … the same device could be used to roll down hills. This was fantastic fun, extremely bizarre, and bizarrely extreme. Some seed capital, patents, trademarks and a business plan equaled the latest adventure sport from New Zealand: Zorbing.

The good news is that the company is working furiously to open Zorb sites in the US, Canada, and Mexico:

Our plan is to open sites in the Smoky Mountains, Tennessee region (Pigeon Forge, TN), Las Vegas area (Boulder City, NV), and in Los Cabos, Mexico. We should be open in Pigeon Forge, TN by May or June 2006.

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Posted March 11, 2006 by Casey Bisson
Categories: Photoblog, Questionable...funny. Pointless.. Tags: bubble, cooler than you, extreme, fun, inflatable, like a rolling stone, sport, tumble, tumbling, zorb, zorbing, zorbonaut.

37 Comments

Comment by Naresh Thakur on June 23, 2006 5:34 am
Dear Sir,

We are in need of Zorbing Ball Quantity: 05 Nos.

We run a event management company in India.

Kindly send us the discounted rates and all relevent details and specifications immidiately.

An early response be appreciated.

Thanking you,

Yours Faithfully,

(Naresh Thakur)

[tags]Regarding Zorbing Ball[/tags]
Comment by Brandon Chee on July 24, 2006 3:17 am
Dear Sir,

We are in need of Zorbing Ball Quantity: 10 units

We run a event management company in Malaysia.

Kindly send us the discounted rates and all relevent details and specifications immidiately.

An early response be appreciated.

Thanking you,

Yours Faithfully,

Brandon Chee
6012-325 3198
brandon@gacadventure.com

[tags]BUY ZORB - URGENT[/tags]
Comment by tony on August 1, 2006 1:34 am
please tell me where to buy a zorb using the internet
Comment by Rafael Madrid on August 7, 2006 3:31 pm
Dear Sir,

We are in need 08 units of Zorbing Ball for Mexico; metropolitan area in mexico city.

Kindly send us the all relevent details and specifications.

Thanking you,

Yours Faithfully,
Comment by arno on August 9, 2006 2:12 pm
where can i buy them pleas tell me
mail me pleas
thx
Comment by arno on August 9, 2006 2:16 pm
whow mutch does it costs
Comment by Aaron on August 24, 2006 8:28 am
———————————-
Hi there people. I have seen a few messages from people who are interested in purchasing a zorb ball. We manufacture zorbing balls to fire retardant meet the lastest British standard (BS7837). The ball is created using a welded machine and is sealed by a valve to ensure the best quality.

Please feel free to email or call us for additional information 0800 1073656 0044 1132 633 877 xsleather@hotmail.com.

Many Thanks,

Aaron
—————————————–
Comment by Aaron on August 24, 2006 8:31 am
Within the UK 0800 107 3656
International 0044 1132 633877

email xsLeather@hotmail.com for pricing information for our rolling balls.
Comment by victor silva on September 27, 2006 7:48 am
Dear Sir,

We are in need of Zorbing Ball Quantity: 8 units

Send us the rates and techical information.

Reguards,
Comment by Aaron on September 28, 2006 8:37 am
Dear Victor Silva,

Please see the website http://www.Hyper-Core.co.uk. You will be able to purchase your units there. I think you will receive a discount if you ordr eight.

I do hope that this helps.

Regards,

Aaron
Comment by Tom Garza on January 18, 2007 3:09 am
There is a website out there that has zorb balls for sale. They call them Zorbanauts though and they run for about $3000 US. The link is http://www.zorbasales.com They seem legit. Hope this helps.
Comment by robert Pelon on February 3, 2007 10:14 am
Rolling down a hill in a GIANT inflatable “Sphere” has already hit the United States. Check out our website. http://www.sphereusa.com

[tags]zorb, zorbing, zorb balls, sphere, sphereing, buy zorb balls[/tags]
Comment by brice on February 22, 2007 5:06 am
hi

need 3 of this ball tell me price and delay

best regards
Comment by amy on March 13, 2007 3:38 am
We are the manufacture who are engaged in research, produce and sale of toy products. We own the most famous designer in this field and have a group of professional workers. Our products are exported to many countries, such as: USA, Canada,Russia, Poland, South Korea,Indonesia ,Philippines ,South Africa and so on.
The following are our main products:

â€¢Water Walking Ball
â€¢Zorb Ball (PVC Rolling Ball)
â€¢Inflatable swimming pools
â€¢All kinds of inflatable cartoon mascots
â€¢Air dancers
â€¢Inflatable Bouncers
Inflatable Arches
â€¢Inflatable Castles

Water Walking Ball is developed by ourselves and it is our most popular products. It has been reported on the national TV station.
We could produce according to your requirements and offer you with the relavent data and technological enquiry free of charge.

Welcome you to visit our factory and hope we could establish business relationship.
Comment by NaturalHigh on March 19, 2007 11:39 pm
I saw they are selling these types of balls at verti-globe.com for about $2000.
Comment by inflatalbes on March 20, 2007 3:09 am
I surfed only, and have found your blog. This is a good place.
Comment by Verti-globe.com on March 22, 2007 10:02 am
Check out http://www.VERTI-Globe.com
Zorbing balls available in the U.S.
High Quality and Low Price.

[tags]verti-globe, zorb, zorbing, zorb ball, zorbing ball, zorb usa, zorb ball for sale[/tags]
Comment by Owais on April 14, 2007 3:52 am
Dear Sir,
We are in need of Zorbing Balls
We run a Tourism company in Dubai.
Kindly send us the discounted rates and all relevant details and specifications immediately.
Thanking you,
Yours Faithfully,
Owais Qayyum
00971502659610
owaisq_09@yahoo.com
Comment by Tom Peel on April 19, 2007 12:09 pm
Have you tried http://www.hyper-core.co.uk

They sell Hyper Core and Hydro Core Balls at a very reasonable cost.

I have spoken with them and they seem very keen to help where possible.

My site will be setup in Canada on the 25th April, the ball will arrive next week (VERY EXCITING).

I’ll let you all know how it goes.

Tom
Comment by Jean-Pascal on April 21, 2007 12:59 pm
HI Tom Peel,

Where will your site be located ?

JP
Comment by Charlie Adam on May 4, 2007 10:51 am
Dear Sir,

We are in need of Zorbing Ball Quantity: TBC

We run a event management company in Scotland.

Kindly send us a price list for purchase and all relevent details and specifications.

An early response would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Kind regards,

Charlie Adam
Comment by Ben on June 13, 2007 10:23 pm
bahaha new zealanders better than us because of a plastic ball! WOW u must be soo proud of yourselves.. congratulations.. new zealands best thing EVER! so jelious haha.. hmmmm keep trying ^_^
Comment by bob on June 14, 2007 11:28 pm
I know where to get Zorb type balls and they are the best quality you can get. The websites called http://www.ZORB.com they have the best prices and best quality. They are made out of 1.1mm of Pvc plastic. You wont be disappointed.
Comment by marco do Ó on July 3, 2007 7:56 pm
Dear Sir,

We are in need of Zorbing Ball Quantity:

We run a event management company in Portugal.

Kindly send us a price list for purchase and all relevent details and specifications.

An early response would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Kind regards,

Marco do Ã“
Comment by Sam on July 19, 2007 6:13 pm
Hello everyone,

we have these balls for sale on our site. Here is the link http://www.magicjump.com/prod_details.php?pid=187

You can place a order online or call us at 818.847.1313 or 877.847.1313

Magic Jump, Inc.
http://www.magicjump.com
Comment by Paul Ortiz on August 9, 2007 3:10 pm
Hey Zorb enthusiast,

I am looking for a Zorb manufacturer that can sell me Zorbs for a production. I need to introduce my keynote speaker in a dynamic manner.

I think Zorbs would be a great way to do so.

Are there any manufacturers out there can contact me with information regardig the Zorb and pricing.

I am looking at purchasing two or three of these Zorbs for my presentation.

On a separate note, I have already spoke with a company called Complex Plastics.

I would strongly suggest that no one call them for anything. The sales rep Mike Knopfler was very strange and very rude when I was asking for assistance in determining which ball would be best for my presentation.

I would venture to say the he is not mentally balanced after my very surreal conversation with him regarding the product he represents.

After researching on this webpage it appears that there multiple companies out there that deal in the Zorbs.

Well enough focus on that company. Forget their name, it will be to your advantage.

I am looking for a sales
representative with a Zorb company that can assist me with helpful information in making a decision as to the best products for my production.

Kindest Regards
Paul Ortiz
Comment by Deb on October 11, 2007 12:34 pm
There is now a zorb at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The attraction is called “Z-Trip”
Comment by Mike Simmons on November 1, 2007 10:37 am
ZORB has been shown on Good Morning America today.(Nov. 1st. 2007) They are open in Pigeon Forge Tennessee and looks REALLY FUN!!!!!!!!!!! I understand that they will also be on the Today Show soon.
Go to http://www.zorb.com
I can’t wait to roll!! I’m going this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Tracy Lu on January 3, 2008 3:37 am
You can get the zorb ball with the best price and high quality through this website http://www.china-zorb.com because we are one of the biggest zorb ball manufactory in China.
Comment by Baylee Werkmeister on February 4, 2008 9:54 pm
Hi,
I am looking for a location to zorb near Iowa. I was hoping someone could tell me if there even was a place near Iowa to zorb.
Thanks!
Comment by james chambers on February 9, 2008 2:26 am
how can i buy one of these i am a thrill seeker and i just have to have one of these let me know the priceand note it will have to be cash only
Comment by timmy jones on March 30, 2008 11:08 am
i want a stupid zorb for my daggum birthday
Comment by john wolf on April 29, 2008 8:39 pm
The newest and fastest growing hybrid zorb enterprise has come to the United States.
Zorb New England is here!
Check with your local ski resort to find out if zorbing is avaiable for you.
or check us out directly at
http://www.zorbnewenglandllc.com
Comment by Robert Williamson on May 30, 2008 12:48 pm
I have a Zorb to sell that I bought for a stage production in the UK. I can be contacted through the British shakespeare company web site or at. http://www.thebsc.co.uk Thank you
Comment by alejandro on June 3, 2008 9:51 am
me urge adquirir algunas esfras zorb ball…. yo soy de queretaro mexico… de que manera las puedo conseguir en mexico?
Comment by Nancy on June 11, 2008 10:51 pm
Hi, I want to buy some Zorb balls
Can you give me some information

thanks
Comment by shannon claire on September 25, 2008 6:25 pm
Dear Sir,

I am in need of just a single zorb ball but i have a few questions.
Do they come in different colors?
Can i rent one, or do i have to buy it?
Prices?

email me back asap.
thanks