If you’ve felt the urge to get inside a giant plastic ball, then you might have gone zorbing.
It’s a recreational sport where you either ride down a hill or along the water in a giant hamster ball.
The orb is made of plastic, so at first glance, it might not seem like the safest construction in the world when going down a hill.
The material looks soft, and it doesn’t look like there are any holes to let air in.
So is zorbing a safe activity or a dangerous one?
It’s very rare for injuries to occur inside the ball due to the cushioning inside it. There are even rarer cases of deaths occurring from zorbing. Staying inside one too long can be hazardous, but there haven’t been many cases reported where someone has done this. As with every activity, though, there are ways to make zorbing less dangerous.
So you can rest easy.
If you want to go zorbing, then it can be safe.
But there are some things you should know before you step inside the ball.
It will make sure that you have not only a good time, but also a safe time.
Here’s what you should know.
What Makes Zorbing Dangerous?
Zorbing is considered an extreme sport, which means some risks come with the activity.
The activity most commonly occurs on a sloping hill.
Naturally, as you roll down the hill, your speed increases.
It can be easy to lose control, and you can move around a bit inside the ball.
But the ball is fitted with soft plastic to protect you from any damage, so the only injuries you may occur are bruises.
Where it can get dangerous is when the hill is not fitted out with the correct safety equipment.
As you can imagine, you don’t have a lot of control inside the ball when it’s going at high speeds.
If there are no guards or proper dugouts to stop the ball, then you can bounce into objects or off of edges.
Some balls are sealed and filled with air.
This limits how much time you can spend in the ball as no air can get in, and you will only be able to breathe what’s inside.
If you do go zorbing, then it’s best to avoid these types of balls as you won’t be able to spend too long inside them
It’s important to remember that zorbing can be dangerous in the wrong environment.
But there are ways to avoid to improve the safety of the activity and avoid injuries.
How Can You Make Zorbing Less Dangerous?
Several contributing factors can make zorbing a dangerous activity and cause serious injuries or worse.
But there are some ways to practice zorbing safely.
The first is the terrain that you’re choosing to go zorbing on.
Most parks will have safe tracks that are custom designed for the activity.
It should be well covered in grass and contain no bumps that could cause the ball to lift off the ground.
There should also be nets or fences along the edges of the track to prevent it from going off the path.
At the end of the terrain should be a dugout to allow the ball to come to a natural stop.
A net is not good enough and can cause injuries.
Zorbing on the water is much safer, provided that you’re using anything but a single layer ball.
These ones are filled with air and sealed tight with a zipper.
If you choose to use one of these balls, then you should only stay in there for five minutes due to the limited air supply.
So the only piece of safety equipment you need here is a watch.
If you follow these safety practices, then you’ll have an enjoyable time zorbing.
There are many other forms besides rolling down a hill or on water, but these two surfaces are the most common for the activity.
What Dangerous Injuries Can Occur From Zorbing?
While it’s rare for injuries to occur as a result of zorbing, they have happened.
Here some of the most severe injuries that have happened in the history of the extreme sport.
In Russia, a duo attempted to go zorbing on a ski slope.
There was no fencing or dugout at the end of the hill to help them stop.
The ball quickly lost control, and they rolled off a mountainside.
Unfortunately, one of the participants died, and the other was seriously injured.
In the Czech Republic, one person was killed and the other injured when they went zorbing down a mountain into a net held up by two trees.
However, the net couldn’t stop the ball, and it went on to hit a tree at full speed.
In Romania, a woman fractured her arms when she wasn’t appropriately harnessed inside the ball.
The ball was also designed for two people, which affected the center of gravity and forced it to lose control almost immediately.
It’s more common for bumps and bruises to occur from zorbing if it bounces too often.
But this only tends to happen when the proper safety precautions aren’t followed or if the track is not suitable for the activity.
Where Are The Most Dangerous Places To Go Zorbing?
Zorbing is an activity that is performed all around the world.
It first started in New Zealand and has since gone onto to be a hit around the globe in places like Sweden, Canada, Japan, Thailand, and the United States.
While many of these locations have perfect terrains, they also contain many unsafe spots for zorbing.
If you are to go zorbing, the landscape needs to be designed for the activity.
One of the worst terrains to go zorbing on is snow.
It’s too easy for the ball to lose control on the ice and steer off course.
There is also often no way to stop the ball at the end of the slope.
Some participants will have someone waiting at the bottom of the hill to stop the ball, but this has rarely worked successfully and caused injuries to people inside and outside the ball.
If you do plan on going zorbing at any of the locations around the globe where the activity is permitted, you should make sure it’s at a place that is specifically designed for the hobby and has all the safety equipment installed.
You should also preferably not go zorbing alone.
You should always have someone else nearby on standby in case anything does go wrong.
What Types Of Orbs Are Dangerous?
There are two common types of orbs that are used for zorbing.
The first is a harnessed orb.
These are constructed for one or two people.
This is the most commonly used orb and is the safest due to it strapping you inside it like a seatbelt.
There is also a non-harnessed ball.
These orbs can carry up to three people, but you are more likely to bounce around a lot inside it.
This is when bumps and bruises can occur.
They can also be extremely dangerous if they’re used in the wrong conditions.
Particularly if they collide with an object like a tree or a rock.
A single layer ball can also be dangerous.
These balls are pre-filled with air when you’re inside so that you can breathe.
However, you have a five-minute time limit before you need to be out of there. If you stay in there long, then you risk suffocation.
The instructors should give the full information on the types of balls you’ll be using for zorbing.
They should also be able to tell you all the precautions that you need to take to ensure a safe ride.
Is It Too Dangerous To Go Zorbing?
For the most part, zorbing is a safe activity to participate in.
That is, of course, if it’s being performed at a secure location.
There are plenty of precautions to take to ensure that you have a safe ride.
The most important, though, is that you only take part in zorbing on a terrain that is designed specifically for it.
This includes having the proper safety equipment such as nets along the side of the path and a dugout so that you can come to a natural stop.
If you can follow all the rules and ensure that the location and terrain are safe to go zorbing on, then you’ll have a fantastic experience, just like any other extreme sport.
