Why You Won't Throw Up In A Zorb
Posted: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:53 AM by Jaclyn Levin
(From Karen Trosset, TODAY Producer)
She came. She zorbed. She conquered...and the producer breathed a sigh of relief. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Meredith on her Zorb ride segment for the "Today Gets Extreme" series, but I've got to tell you, man am I glad it's over. WATCH VIDEO
Our Today Show anchors are great adventurers. I am always surprised how game they are to try practically anything, even if it's risky. So the producers are always a little worried.
We did several test runs on the Zorb before Meredith arrived at the park to make sure cameras worked and, most importantly, that she would be safe. I did it, and I absolutely hated it. Furthermore, I was convinced she would too and questioned whether we should move forward.
Out of seven crewmembers who did the ride, testing the cameras, three of us vehemently disliked it, four loved it. It's not for the faint of heart.
Everyone has asked me if you throw up in the zorb - that's not the sensation you get. In fact, in its six years of operation at the zorb park we shot in, only one person has ever thrown up, and he had been at a bachelor party all night long the night before. The feeling is more like that ferris wheel ride at amusement parks where you're in a cage and you're stuck at the top, upside down. You spend A LOT of time upside down, and it's very disorienting. Not my favorite thing. But what do I know? Meredith got in and absolutely loved it, which was fantastic!
She screamed the whole way down. Me? I was completely silent. Not a word. Just counting to thirty in my head since I knew it would last only thirty seconds, and anyone can survive thirty seconds, but like Meredith said this morning...it was thirty seconds…that felt like an eternity.
What would you have done? Are you a thrill seeker or a control freak that hates being thrown around in a ball, upside down, down a hill at thirty miles per hour?
It's probably an excellent Rorschach test.
All you thrill seekers out there...go for it! You'll love it!
The rest of you...I'd recommend sticking to the “It's a Small World” at Disney Land.
