|
Freefall
Extreme at the Agrodome
Rotorua
Highlights
Adventure in Rotorua
Adventure Photos of Rotorua
Photos
of Rotorua
Rotorua
Details
By
Richard Moore
 The
idea of throwing myself out of a perfectly good plane has never
been of much interest to this chap, but actually flying is another
matter.
Not
having been born with wings sort of ruined my chances at ever taking
to the sky - until a recent journey to Rotorua.
Associated
with the Agrodome is a high-adrenalin adventure park that includes
jetboating, bungy jumping (no thanks), a terrifying-looking
Swoop (an even louder no thanks), Zorbing
and my opportunity to stay off the ground longer than a jump span.
 It
is called Freefall Extreme and is a parachuting simulator that allows
you to fly in a column of fast-blowing air.
Freefall
Extreme is the only one of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and
is a massive amount of fun.
You
remove everything that could possibly fly off, including dangly
earrings, wedding rings, watches and so on - and make sure you don't
take your mobile as you can't hear much over the rushing wind anyway.
Before
you make your "jump" you get some basic lessons on how to control
your flight.
Back
arched, elbows lower than your chin, arms bent, feet pointing down
and legs bent. Stay relaxed and if you want to move wave your hands
a bit.
Freefall
Extreme's assistant manager Bryan Lester took me through the lesson
and it sounded easy enough. Then it's a matter of putting on a jump
suit, walking out to the cushioned roof-top fly zone.
You
lie on netting above the wind machine and then the flow of air rises
to a level of power that has even a 100-kilo fellow being pushed
around as if he is a feather. Okay, a very heavy feather, but a
feather nonetheless.
Now
for all the good advice I struggled for control on my four-minute
flight, doing okay for a wee while then losing concentration and
moving out of the wind column before dropping like a - feather -
on to the cushions.
Still,
with a bit more practice I reckon I could get the hang of it. Freefall
Extreme is something you should try if you get the opportunity.
It
is a great buzz.
Ticket
prices do change but these are a good indication.
Freefall
Extreme teaser (2 minutes) $45
Freefall Extreme fully blown (4 minutes) $70
Freefall
Extreme website
|
