Zorbing
Welcome to abZorb Ballinasloe, the first company to bring the Zorbing experience to County Galway. For the last 3 years, in excess of 10,000 people have enjoyed the thrill of Harness and Hydro Zorbing with us, and we are proud to say we have a 100% safety record. Zorbing Ballinasloe has a fully landscaped Zorbing run, approximately 200m from launching pad to landing point.
As well as Zorbing, there is the four-star Clarion Shearwater Hotel and C-Spa to rest, retreat and relaxe. One of Galway’s newest hotels, with easy access to Galway and Athlone, the Clarion Shearwater is ideally situated at Marina Point on the majestic River Suck, one of the most beautiful rivers in the country, where UpRiver Kayaktivity river-runs its half-day, full-day, family and corporate events programme.
Try this unique experience and make Zorbing part of a great day out in the heart of East Galway!
A Brief History of Zorbing
In 1994, Dwayne Van Der Sluis and Andrew Akers conceived the idea for a type of sphere in Auckland, New Zealand, calling their invention the ‘Zorb’, The Zorb itself is a gigantic inflatable sphere, standing 3.2 meters in height with another smaller sphere suspended inside by approximately a thousand nylon strands.
Harness Zorbing: 2 Participants are safely harnessed opposite each other before being launched down the Zorbing run. Revolving head over heals, gaining speed with every revolution. Land and sky merge into one as you feel almost weightless – the thrill is intoxicating and totally unique. Hydro Zorbing, where the participant is zipped safely inside before being gently launched down the River Suck run. Slipping and sliding, feeling immense speed as the Zorb revolves around you – a cross between a waterslide and a rollercoaster!
UpRiver Supremo Eoin Croffy was originally introduced to Zorbing while touring world-wide a few years ago, experiencing first-hand the activity at Rotorua, and learning and researching outdoor family and corporate sports and recreation activities that would harvest the majestic value of the River Suck and enhance the Ballinasloe visitor-experience.
The first Irish Zorbing site opened in Ballinasloe, Ireland in July 2008 with participants only able to experience Harness Zorbing. In 2011, Hydro Zorbing was launched exclusively at our site and has now proved to be our most popular ride.
We have just completed our 3rd season with a 100% safety record. Our Zorbing site has been developed over the years to provide an excellent experience in a safe, friendly and fun environment. Our product is still the best out there, and being improved all the time, not least by the excellent service and fare on offer at Ballinasloe’s 4-start luxury hotel and spa – the Carlton Shearwater.