Zipline tours are like a gateway drug to other outdoor adventures, according to Carolyn Allison, who’s been leading groups through the treetops – and the airspace between them – since 2009.
“You’re flying. It really feels like that,” says Allison. “It’s really exhilarating. We do get a lot of people who try this to overcome their fears and to try to push themselves. People feel a sense of accomplishment when they’re done, that they’re ready to do something more. Who knows? After this maybe they do go skydiving.”
“Of the outdoor adventure activities – between mountain biking, whitewater kayaking and rafting – ziplines have grown faster than anything else we’ve seen.” – Carolyn AllisonBecause this adventure is accessible to almost everyone, people of all ages are giving outfitters like Ocoee River Basin Canopy Tours and Ruby Falls ZIPStream Aerial Adventure a go.
“Of the outdoor adventure activities – between mountain biking, whitewater kayaking and rafting – ziplines have grown faster than anything else we’ve seen,” says Allison, whose parent company, Wildwater, offers a variety of outdoor activities, including the Ocoee canopy tours. “We get a lot of young couples and camp groups and things like that, but it’s amazing to me how many more active seniors are doing ziplines.”
Ruby Falls has several different courses, with one specifically designed for young adventure seekers ages 6-10. All three courses culminate in a zipline, a new addition for the tot-sized treetop experience.