(plus a flashback to Lee and Karen Duquette Zorbing in New Zealand in
2005)
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Outdoor Gravity Park
203 Sugar Hollow Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone for reservation time slot - "865.366.2687 |
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Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee is THE ONLY ZORBING PARK IN THE USA!! (at least on this date
- who knows what the future will bring). At this time, it was open every
day 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. However, in 2005 Lee and Karen Duquette also did
Zorbing in New Zealand where it was invented and that experience
is shown at the bottom of this page. They were extremely happy to finally
find Zorbing in the USA.
After a quick bus ride up the hill, Lee and Karen Duquette
watched as the owner added 10 gallons of water into the Zorbing ball
and made sure it was properly inflated. Cold
water is used in the summer, 90 degree warm water is used in the winter.
Each person was given a waterproof camera to take videos as they rode
down the hills, which they have the option to buy. Discount coupons
are available in various places throughout Pigeon Forge. Unfortunately,
Karen Duquette does not know how to post the video on this site.
Then Lee and Karen Duquette ungracefully dove through
the opening into the ball. After the ball was zipped up, they slipped
and slid down the hill, while the water inside the zorbing ball splashed
all over them. Since there were 3 different tracks to choose from, Lee
and Karen Duquette first rode together, then Lee Duquette rode one alone,
and Karen Duquette rode two more times alone. It was so much fun that
they returned the next day and Karen Duquette rode alone 8 times, which
was a record at this track (or so she was told). Karen's favorite track
was the zig-zag course which is longer and bumpier than the others. |
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Below: Lee Duquette took
some movies in 2020, and they will be posted here later, IF Karen Duquette
figures out how to post them. ANY HELP OUT THERE? |
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  FLASHBACK
to 2005 - Karen and Lee Duquette ZORBING in New Zealand. 525 Ngongotaha
Road, Fairy Springs, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand
(call +64 7 343 7676 for dates and hours)
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Lee and Karen Duquette took
a one day airplane trip from Sydney, Australia to Rotorua, New Zealand,
then back to Australia because they wanted to do Zorbing.
Zorbing originated in New Zealand in the 1990's as a novel invention
by two Kiwis looking for a new adventure challenge.
So Karen and Lee Duquette went to ZORB Rotorua, an adventure attraction
where they rolled down hills inside a giant inflatable ball. There were
two options, the zig-zag Sidewinder and the fast Straight Track
WITH WATER INSIDE the zorbing ball. They got to ride a bus to the
top of the hill. Once there, they each had to take a flying leap into
the small opening, trying to land in the middle of the ball which had
water in it. That was not easy. Lee and Karen rode together on the Straight
Track several times and then Karen rode several times separately When
they were together, they kept slipping and sliding into each other,
and they were laughing the entire time. |
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Below: Balls on
the left side of the fence are returning to the top of the hill so they
would be available for other rides. The zorbing ball on the right side
of the fence is ready to go down the hill. |
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Below: Lee and
Karen Duquette got tucked inside the giant, inflatable transparent ball,
called a ZORB. To get in, they had to jump inside the red opening in
the zorbing ball. It was filled with water, offering a thrilling, slippery
ride which was invented here. As Lee and Karen Duquette rolled down
the hill, they were sloshing around and banging into each other as the
zorbing ball rolled down the hill. They were laughing and having a wonderful
time. |
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As of this date
in 2005, it wa the only place in New Zealand to experience this activity.
It features four different tracks like the zig-zag Sidewinder and the
steep MEGA Track. Costs were about $29 per person on this date, always
subject to change as time passes. |
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Below: After rolling down the hill and
being tossed all around inside the zorbing ball that was full of water,
the soaking wet Lee and Karen Duquette, exited the zorbing ball at the
bottom of the hill. Then it was time to do even more zorbing. |
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