« Citizen Bot | Main | Housing Project - Mitaka, Tokyo Japan »
March 6, 2006
Zorb - A Giant Hamster Ball
A few years ago a TV advertisement aired in New Zealand showing people inside a large clear ball floating on water. It Inspired Andrew Akers and Dwane van der Sluis to build their own giant plastic ball. It looked like lots of fun but their ball was made of only one layer of plastic causing problems. Everytime someone entered or exited the ball, it would deflate and needed to be re-inflated and sealed.
The idea for a double skin ball was born.
A prototype was built in the garage of Andrew's house and they tested it in the water but soon realized it was far more intense on land where they could roll down hills! Some seed capital, patents, trademarks and a business plan equaled the latest adventure sport in New zealand, ZORBING!
"Zorbing is not that serious ... " says Akers, "The experience is bizarre, funny and exhilarating. The most common reaction inside the Zorb is screams of laughter - people exit from the Zorb with massive smiles on their faces and tears of joy in their eyes."
There are Zorb affiliates in Europe, Asia, Australia and of course New Zealand, but nothing going on in the US yet so this is my call out to those that got the resources but no idea yet! Here's an IDEA - be the first American to Zorb on American soil and start your Zorb franchise. Los angeles would be the ultimate location with weather allowing us to Zorb both wet and dry all year around. I can't wait!
Continue to see me battle electro!
Posted by diverseawareness at 11:22 PM | Permalink
| TrackBack (0)
|
|
Comments
Zorbs are in LA... I personally have seen them while watching Celebrity Fit Club (VH1.)
Posted by: Ckwalker at March 7, 2006 6:45 PM
I love this thing. I've always wanted to do it. I think they had it on the Amazing Race and it had some water inside it. I don't remember which country they were in, but I really wanted to roll around in this thing.
Posted by: Chino at March 7, 2006 7:09 PM
um, wouldn't that sauna ball get just abit skunky ??
Posted by: A.J. at March 8, 2006 5:39 AM
In "Operation Condor", starring Jackie Chan, he uses one of these things to escape from a bunch of bushmen...I didn't know it really existed.
Posted by: Nate at April 9, 2006 2:39 PM
how do you make a zorb ball and what materials do you need?
Posted by: justin at May 9, 2006 10:33 AM
what materials do i need to make a zorb ball? how do i make a zorb ball? or where can i buy a zorb ball? (((((need to know)))))
Posted by: justin at May 11, 2006 12:53 PM
if u find out where to buy one email me! please
Posted by: luke at May 30, 2006 4:59 PM
Any luck in finding a Zorb ball?? They sound interesting, how does one breath? lorna
Posted by: lorna at June 4, 2006 12:08 AM
Sorry for the delayed response.
This is the contact information for the regional US Office taken from the official Zorb site.
They should be able to provide all the information you inquire :)
ZORB USA
9400 Big View Drive
Suite 201
Austin, Texas 78730
Phone: (512) 342 9221
Fax: (316) 223 9666
USA@zorb.com
ps. If you do contact them, please mention that you read about them on our blog, thanks.
Plankton^
Posted by: Plankton^ at June 4, 2006 12:21 AM
um..we would like to know where one may buy a "zorb ball"
Posted by: maria and rachel at July 11, 2006 1:24 PM
um ya im thinking about buying one for myself and was wondering were i can buy one and about how much they run??
Posted by: mitchell at July 12, 2006 12:49 PM
Ok, so I've found a retailer that carries the ZORB ball.
www.westmarine.com
They run about $275
ps I'm getting one today, will start a new thing called "urban zorbing". Look out for me!
Posted by: Plankton^ at July 14, 2006 4:53 PM
where can i find a zorbball in california?? how much are they?? i need one with no holes!! not used! can i buy one at a certain dot come please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! email me at spoiledzabi@yahoo.com thanks bye-bye
Posted by: karza at July 16, 2006 4:43 PM
how can i get a zorb ball?
Posted by: marco at July 17, 2006 9:17 PM
where can i buy one?
Posted by: marco at July 18, 2006 11:29 AM
Where can i buy one?
Posted by: marco at July 18, 2006 11:29 AM
where can i buy one in californa?
Posted by: marco at July 18, 2006 11:52 AM
you can't buy a zorb and no they ain't no $275...the price is going to be over 5 grand if they would even sell them retail which they aren't going to do for some time. They will first offer franchises and then under certain stringent guidelines, but thinking you can custom order a $275 zorb is, at the moment, far-fetched. Now, if you have plenty of money at your disposal, then yes, I bet at the right price you could get your personal zorb, but for the average middle-income man it will be a few years and a high price tag.
Posted by: tony at July 19, 2006 7:21 PM
there are similar balls, but lack the "zorb" unique inner-hold, you can get for near $1000
click here or copy and paste to your address bar
http://www.primetimeinteractive.com/human_sphere.html
Posted by: Tony at July 19, 2006 7:26 PM
where i can buy a zorb ball??
i'm from poland,
I lead therapy as volunteer with handicapped person,
and zorb ball it's nice think... :)
Posted by: peter from poland at July 24, 2006 3:49 AM
I WANT A ZORB BALL!!!!!
WHERE CAN I BUY ONE!!!!!
SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME I MUST KNOW!!!!!!
Posted by: parker Barry at July 29, 2006 10:14 PM
where did you get them .howmuch
Posted by: chris at August 23, 2006 5:15 PM
Zorb site is opening in fall of 2006 in Great Smoky Mountains. 865-428-2422. I think this is the guy that owns the franchise rights for the U.S. or maybe just purchased rights for his area.
Posted by: Susan at September 18, 2006 9:25 AM
u cant buy these niggaz!!!!!!!!!!!!! not sold retail i'll send u 1 send me $1500 n i will get u 1 !!
thats obvioulsy not my real email
Posted by: crack at September 18, 2006 9:36 AM
I know that www.hyper-core.co.uk sell Zorb balls.
Have a look there. We hope to buy one for our paint balling club as an extra attraction.
Cheers,
Phil
Posted by: Phil at September 28, 2006 8:44 AM
where do i buy one? how much is it?
Posted by: cody at September 29, 2006 7:02 AM
yo zorbsters! I been lookin high and low fora zoomin zorb ball of my own. Well I tell ya, there ain't none high and there ain't none low. them zorbs just ain't zoomin for the average zorby joe.
Posted by: Zorbyzoomzoom at November 14, 2006 6:22 AM
You can buy one at z-orb.com in USA
Posted by: blake at November 29, 2006 6:57 PM
How much would someone want to pay me for the technology? This is a serious question. Mail me.. gh0st(at)hotmail.com. I can provide pictures and full working manual with materials list. And yes, they cost at least $NZ2000 to make. (includes the labor). I can also provide the new inner smooth seam technology!
Posted by: gh0st at December 9, 2006 1:25 PM
Hi, I'm Sally Anderson
I live In Hast Harlem. I'd like to buy a chi-pet.
Does anyone know where I can get a chia-pet?
Posted by: Sally Anderson at December 24, 2006 7:03 PM
Hello? Three of us have been looking for over an hour, to find out where to find a zorb and HOW MUCH THEY COST!! I mean, come on. You should improve your websites, because we couldn't find the STUPID PRICE!! No one is going to buy these if they don't know the price!! Duuuuuuuuhhhhhhh!! Use common sense, IF YOU HAVE ANY!! I want to know the price and location, and I want it NOW!!! Pretty, pretty, pretty pllllleeeeaaaaassssseeeee help us, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sammy Corman at December 26, 2006 4:54 PM
i saw only one on ebay used going for almost 5,000 bucks
Posted by: scott ralston at January 4, 2007 10:31 AM