Press release from Shotover Canyon Swing
30 June 2009

Shotover Canyon Swing ‘rush’ gets American couple going and going and going and going……….

An American couple have cancelled their flights twice and delayed their trip home to relive their Shotover Canyon Swing experience in Queenstown – again, and again, and again, and again………..

Physician Marc Helzer (39) and his wife Christina Maniaci (33) from Michigan scheduled a stopover in Queenstown last week ahead of a work trip to Sydney.

Shotover Canyon Swing General Manager Matt Hollyer said that while they were in the ‘adventure capital of the world’ Marc was determined to conquer a unique activity that would take him out of his comfort zone.

“Shotover Canyon Swing fit the bill perfectly. Marc jumped four times, challenging himself with a new jumpstyle each time while Christina watched on,” he said. “He was loving it.”

Back at the hotel and motivated by Marc’s courage, Christina decided she too would like to experience the Canyon Swing ‘rush’. The next day’s flights to Sydney were cancelled and Christina completed the Swing four times while Marc jumped several more times.

“If you knew me at home I'd never have done this,” said Ms Maniaci. “You have to push yourself through the anxiety but the resulting feeling is amazing. Now I feel like there’s nothing I can’t do.”

Reluctant to leave Queenstown, the couple went to Sydney but after three days the lure of the alpine resort and the adrenaline rush of the Shotover Canyon Swing was too much. They cancelled their return flights from Sydney to Los Angeles to return to Queenstown once more.

Mr Helzer said the first thing they did when they got back to Queenstown yesterday (29 June 09) was to make a booking for the Shotover Canyon Swing today (30 June 09).

“This is so different to anything else we’ve ever done,” he said, while leaning back off the Shotover Canyon Swing platform on a chair before hurtling into the canyon at speeds of up to 150kph.

“The Swing crew have been absolutely amazing and have enhanced this whole experience for us,” he added. “They have a fantastic culture and we’ve loved being part of it.”

As a doctor dealing with life and death on a daily basis, Mr Helzer said Queenstown had given him a whole new perspective on the way to live life.

“Don’t blink or waste life, you just have to live for a bit,” he said.

Ms Maniaci said Queenstown totally lived up to her expectations set by the Lord of the Rings.

“Don’t ever take this place for granted, it’s so special and amazing,” she said.

ENDS