Skyline Rotorua general manager Bruce Thomasen (left) with Zoom Zipline co-owner Ron Betts at the site of the new zipline attraction on Mt Ngongotaha. Photo/Ben Fraser
Skyline Rotorua will open its new Zoom Zipline this weekend with an official launch later in the month.
The new attraction, which involves a high-speed twin zipline that descends 385m down Mt Ngongotaha, also includes a unique 10m "quickjump" system which allows visitors to freefall from the landing platform following
their zipline ride.
The innovative system is operated by Canadian company Zoom Ziplines, in partnership with Skyline. The company has designed and built systems in Canada, the USA, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, with Skyline Rotorua's ride a first for the South Pacific.
Zoom Ziplines co-owner Ron Betts said the addition of the quickjump was the first time the system had been used in conjunction with the zipline. It involves visitors being harnessed to a single line and "freefalling" before a special breaking system ensures a soft landing.
"After the rush of zooming past the scenery on the zipline, guests can experience a secondary rush of the quickjump, which is very controlled and safe, but definitely gets the heart pumping," he said.
