OGO Rotorua – Rolling Around In Giant Wet Balls.

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When Chris asked me what I wanted to do in New Zealand, rolling down a hill in a giant inflatable ball filled with water was at the top of my list. A.K.A Zorbing! Except, that’s not actually what it’s called. ZORB is the name of just ONE of the many companies that run this fun activity all around the world. I think I’m just going to call it Ball Hill Rolling. Soooo….. here’s what we got up to at OGO Rotorua .

WHERE?

The company that we chose to go with was OGO Rotorua. They even make their own spheres on site, so you know it’s legit.  OGO Rotorua is just a short bus ride outside the main town of Rotorua.

GETTING READY

Once we arrived we basically had the place to ourselves. The friendly staff welcomed us and explained the different tracks available and options for wet or dry runs. Innuendo a plenty!

Then it was time for us to get changed and get wet. We were chauffered up to the top of the hill by the staff. At the top of the hill I was assigned my ball and watched as the ball attendant (not really sure if that’s his proper title) started to fill it with warm water. When I say fill, I mean create a large puddle…… you don’t have to roll down the hill while submerged and holding your breath or anything like that. Everyone gets out alive at OGO Rotorua.

THE LAUNCH

The next part is the graceful part. I had to launch myself into a hole in the side of the ball. Literally jump and sort of dive in. The pattern was that I’d get half way in gracefully and then wriggle about in the water like some psychotic tadpole until I was the right way up.

Once inside it was like sitting in a warm bath. The ball attendant then passed me the GoPro. You can bring your own or they will lend you one, but then you’ll have to pay for the pictures…… sooooo, I’d bring your own!

THE FIRST RACE

If you’re racing, you stand up, there’s a count to three and then you start running. I was too scared to do this ( I know, I’m ridiculous) so I sat down and asked the man to push my ball over the edge. I use this as an excuse for the fact that Chris won the race.

I’m not quite sure how to describe the feeling of hurtling down a hill in a giant water-filled ball courtesy of OGO Rotorua . It feels like how I would imagine my socks feel in the washing machine. Probably. Maybe. Can socks feel dizzy? ANYWAY, the straight racing track was definitely a good first run. Barely any big bounces or bumps, lulling me into a lovely false sense of security.

THE SECOND RACE

The second run was the MOST fun I’ve had in a long time. Chris and I both got into the same ball. I don’t even know if it’s innuendo or not anymore?!  Queue another hilariously ungraceful entrance from me. Chris, justifiably, couldn’t stop laughing. Then it was time to head down the winding track.

The winding track was definitely the most fun AND you can fit up to 3 people in the one ball. Two was hilarious so I imagine 3 would be amazing! The pictures, as you can see, are some of my favourite pictures from the trip.

Quick tip; Try to keep your tongue in your mouth (SO MUCH INNUENDO)! We went over a bump and slammed back down, causing me to bite my tongue like it’s never been bitten before (well that makes me sound like I’ve had a very tame personal life). I genuinely thought that I might have bitten it off. I was afraid to swallow! Luckily, when I did have time to inspect it, everything was intact. No missing bits.

EXITING THE BALLS

Getting out of the ball was slightly easier than getting in. However, I reckon it still looked like some kind of terrible birth to people watching from the outside. Then they took pictures. DELIGHTFUL! Probably not the most flattering, in fact, definitely not the most flattering, but pretty funny nonetheless.

After you’ve finished with the balls ( wink ) you are free to relax in one of the hot tubs until you’re ready to go get changed and head back to reality. Not that you’d ever want to. If I ever need to organise a group activity in the future OGO Rotorua is exactly what I would choose. Everyone needs to have this on their bucketlist!