India welcomes new zorbing facility in Delhi
Posted on Monday 11 June 2012
in Czech Republic, Guam, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Thailand
One of India's most iconic landmarks will soon be home to a new zorbing hotspot for travellers to check out. Officials say the activity has been well received in other parts of the country, so they are encouraging its presence near India Gate to be constructed in the near future.
What is zorbing?
Active travellers who scale the globe in search of the newest thrill may have heard about the sport of zorbing. Riders climb inside a flexible, plastic ball with a smaller ball attached inside that rolls down a hill or track. Sometimes the inner ball will contain water to help the rider slide around, or there will be straps to hold on as the ball bounces.
The idea came from hamster balls and how the small animals would move in the spherical toys as they roamed around a home. The term "zorbing" was coined in the early 1990s by a pair of New Zealand inventors looking to introduce the latest extreme sport. Currently, there are zorbing stations and facilities throughout the world, and the activity has slowly gained popularity among the sporting crowd and thrill-seekers.
Riding in one of these spheres can allow travellers to reach speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour, depending on how long and steep the track may be. Some of the balls are designed for multiple riders, while others are built for swiftness and even steering.
Zorbing in Mumbai
Due to the success of zorbing in other areas of India, officials from Delhi Tourism are launching a new site near India Gate, which already experiences heavy tourist traffic and can offer guests the opportunity to try a new activity.
"Currently we are offering only boating activities at India Gate, so zorbing will be a remarkable addition to the water sports activities," said Manish Chatrath, chairman of Delhi Tourism. "Moreover, being in the heart of the city, India Gate attracts more visitors. Since it will be visible from the road side, more people will be able to enjoy the fun."
Another spot for zorbing was opened last year in Purana Quila, Delhi, which now welcomes dozens of visitors every day. Those involved in the extreme sport are working on expanding their offerings throughout the area so the activity can be accessible to more domestic and international travellers.
"We have been getting [a] good response for zorbing at Purana Quila lake so we are in a spree of expanding our operators at India Gate as well,"said Rajeeb Gogoi, a zorbing operator in India. "We have got a green signal from Delhi Tourism. We will open it for tourists probably by late June."
The zorbing in Delhi is an aquatic version of the sport, where riders usually have water on the inside of the sphere and may take the balls across lakes or other waterways.
Other locales to try zorbing worldwide
India is not the only destination for zorbing adventure travel enthusiasts. Some places are under an officially trademarked zorb franchise, while other locations have their own versions of the experience, but most will provide guests with the ultimate adrenaline rush.
For instance, Indian travellers can reserve flights to Dublin and check out the zorbing facility near the city. Other European destinations that have opportunities for spherical fun include Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Several additional locales around the globe where adventurous travellers can try this extreme sport include Guam, Thailand and New Zealand.
Zorbing can be a exciting activity to try while enjoying short breaks in India or venturing out to foreign destinations on a longer holiday excursions.
Print this article »