OGO Rotorua Develops Longest Track in the World

OGO Rotorua Develops Longest Track in the World

OGO Rotorua is celebrating its first birthday this week and is waiting for the grass to grow before opening the longest ball rolling track in the world.

OGO Rotorua has been in operation for a year on 12 December, coming a long way since first opening its doors with developments including a sealed road, additional car parking and a large sealed bus drop-off and turn-around zone in front of the reception area. The huge new run nicknamed “The Sidewinder” will be ready to go before Christmas.

The Sidewinder track is over 400 metres long with eight massive, 315 degree corners for the OGO and occupants to sweep around as they slip, slide, roll and tumble their way to the bottom of the track. Designed to accommodate 2 adults or 3 children inside the H2OGO (the water version of the giant balls), the entire ride lasts around 90 seconds and is the largest track of its type in the world.

The Sidewinder track joins two 250 metre long straight tracks and a 200 metre long curved track that sweeps through the trees before all four alternative tracks come to a stop in the purpose-built finishing zone.

OGO Rotorua is celebrating all of these developments in its first year this Friday with free rides for people in the tourism industry and $20 rides for the general public as well as a sausage sizzle from 12pm – 2pm.

Owner and inventor of the world famous ball Andrew Akers says opening the OGO Rotorua site has been great as it is the perfect location for the activity – so close to town with views out over Lake Rotorua and a massive hill.

“It allows us to play around with all the crazy ideas we’ve ever had! We can’t wait for the grass to grow so we can show off our newest track!” he says.

For those not in the know, the OGO is a massive 3.2 metre clear plastic ball with a 2 metre ball suspended inside it by thousands of cords. The area between the two spheres is inflated with air – the customer (or customers as up to 3 people can fit inside this thing) jump, slide or clamber into the inner ball and are sent careering down the side of the mountain.

Before you think this sounds like a novel way of avoiding the Christmas chaos forever, there are two methods ensuring your safety; the first, and most popular, is to throw 50 litres of water into the OGO with the customers. This ensures that everyone slides inside the OGO (it’s like a cross between a waterfall and a roller coaster) and the occupants are re-birthed at the bottom of the hill in a rush of water and laughter. The second method involves being strapped inside the OGO, no water is involved, and you rotate head over heels, safely secured by an eight point harness system around your waist, shoulders, hands and feet.

Ride the OGO at 525 Ngongotaha Road, or visit the website at www.ogo.co.nz.

ENDS

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