Set the ball rolling with Zorbing.

You’ve obviously heard of astronauts.

You probably harbored a secret ambition to be one yourself.

Ever heard of a zorbonaut, though?

Before you roll your eyes expressively, and put it down to another of my moniker-generating days, let me stop you right there.

And assert that there are actually people out there called zorbonauts.

Who participate in an extreme adventure sport, called zorbing.

What in the world is that, you might ask.

I don’t blame you. I hadn’t heard of it too long ago myself.

A relatively “new” adventure sport, zorbing originated in that country that spawned bungee jumping.

Yep, I’m talking of the Kiwi country here - New Zealand.

For the adrenaline junkies, zorbing could offer that thrill.

The “zorb” is a PVC inflatable sphere, about three metres in height, and contains another smaller sphere, suspended into position by numerous nylon strands.

As many as three people can be comfortably ensconced in the air-cushioned zorb at one time.

And then, you set the ball rolling.

Now you might ask, wouldn’t I be extremely uncomfortable in the sphere?

Further, if I’m in the zorb with a couple of friends, wouldn’t we be all over each other.

The answer is N-O.

You (and your friends) will be pinned to the inside by a centrifugal force.

Sounds kinda neat, doesn’t it?

There are very few specifications for this sport.

The first is that there should be a gentle slope for the zorb to roll down.

A steep gradient, on the other hand, will have you:

a) Screaming like a banshee for Mamma Mia

b) Hurtling down at breakneck speed, as if there’s no tomorrow

The second is that you shouldn’t be anywhere inside the zorb on that full tummy. I mean, that’s elementary, folks.

I made a few inquiries, and found out that we have zorbing right here in the country too. In the Solang Valley, Himachal Pradesh, where you can do zorbing – at a reasonably priced Rs. 300 per person.

Almost makes me wanna take that ride to HP.

But then, I am not known to be the best of malingerers.

But for those of you who find the very idea of being strapped inside a bouncy ball stimulating, and right up your street, zorbing it is for you.

Check the original New Zealand Zorb site here.

And see the Youtube video below.