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orBiNg
Nick Williams gets to
k<strong>now</strong> an old mate better
I arrive at the Orb 360 site at Devil’s Dyke with my
mate Darren, who’s much more relaxed than me,
beca<strong>us</strong>e he’s there to take photos, and I’m there to
roll down a hill inside a gigantic plastic globe. Darren
has only agreed to come along after establishing from
the website he was too heavy to participate, so can’t
possibly get roped in. “Don’t worry,” says the bloke
in charge, Tom. “We’ve had much bigger guys than
you.” Darren gulps, and I start laughing - hysterically
once I realise we’re going down the hill in the same
orb.
To access an orb, you take a flying dive through a
hole in the side, ending in a heap in an unfamiliar
plastic world. I jump first and then Tom leans in
and straps me to the side with a selection of belts.
I’m then rolled so I’m hanging from what is <strong>now</strong>
effectively the roof, as Darren leaps in and is strapped
to the floor. ‘Are you ready?’ says Tom. I look down
on 17ish stone of Darren and wonder how strong
the straps are. Before I can say ‘no’, however, we’re
off and rolling. The first 360 degrees is disorienting,
but the straps hold and I feel more relaxed. Within
seconds, we’re rapidly gaining speed, and I can see
grass, sky, grass, sky, appearing behind a manically
laughing Darren’s head. The next sensation is brief
weightlessness, as we appear to leave the ground,
followed by relief, as we start to slow down. However,
we then roll backwards and sideways, which induces
w w w. V I VA l E w E s . C o M
w E t r y o U t
a slight feeling of na<strong>us</strong>ea, and a lot more conf<strong>us</strong>ion.
We slow again and eventually stop. We’re giggling
like kids.
Next it’s aqua-orbing, which is the same size sphere,
but this one has a second ball within it which means
there are no straps, beca<strong>us</strong>e you’re (in theory) staying
in the same spot. Before I get in, they throw in a
bucket of icy-cold soapy water. As I have no change
of clothes I decide to strip down to my pants and
t-shirt, so I’ll have something dry to change back
in to. I hurl myself in to the orb, and slide around
before eventually getting my back against the orb.
I’m ready to roll, but to my horror, realise Darren is
getting in too! “Is that safe?” I whinge, pathetically,
before bursting out laughing as Darren crashes into
me and slides helplessly around (think new-born
lamb attempting to stand). He eventually settles
and we’re off again. We’re not spinning 360, but it’s
actually more fun than the ‘normal’ orb, as you slide
crazily around, sometimes backwards, sometimes
sidewards, always laughing.
It’s a fantastic experience, and even better than I
hoped it would be. And to be honest, if you’d have
told me last week that I’d have a great time rolling
around in a giant inflatable with Darren, in our
underpants, well I wouldn’t have believed you…
For rates and availability visit www.orb360.co.uk or call
08456 434360
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