Reaching for the Skies with Helen Dolphin

Helen Dolphin MBE recently spent some time whizzing through the skies at speeds of up to 100mph, in north Wales. Here she reports back on how what can only be described as a unique experience and, of course, disabled access.

Time for Adventure

If you’ve ever dreamt of flying across the sky, just like a bird, then I can strongly recommend a visit to Zip World Velocity at Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda, North Wales. Zip World boast the longest zip wire in Europe and zippers on Velocity can reach speeds of 100mph as they zoom over Penrhyn Quarry.

So far, my reviews have been somewhat sedate so this time I thought I should get a little bit more adventurous. I’d often heard friends talking about how much fun zip wires are, but I’d never considered them something I’d be able to do as usually they involve climbing lots of steps or ladders. However, Velocity at Zip World states on the website that it is accessible for wheelchair users, although you must make a prior arrangement (e-mail accessibility@zipworld.co.uk).

Preparation

It was a somewhat chilly morning on the day of my zip wire experience so I dressed up as warm as possible. The thought of an icy wind blowing down my coat was not a pleasant thought! The drive up to the quarry was beautiful and I was blessed with a bright crisp morning. The only car park is covered with loose slate so pushing your own chair is quite a challenge although most powered chairs would cope okay. There were no disabled bays marked out but I was still able to park very close to the registration office. The office for registration is newly built and inside I was pleased to find an accessible toilet.

After registering, I was taken to another room to get kitted up and weighed. I was provided with a red boiler suit, hard hat, goggles, and harness. To ride the zip wire you must be over 30kg but below 130kg. However, if you are a wheelchair user who needs to be helped onto the platform then the upper weight limit is only 85kg as staff have to lift you. This weight also includes your clothes and boots, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re close to the limit. Your weight is recorded on your wrist band which is important for the staff setting you up on the zip so that they can adjust the carrier. The boiler suit is only made of a thin nylon material so, in the winter, warm clothing is advisable although don’t wear a scarf as these are not allowed on the zip wire. The staff were very keen to help and I was strapped tightly into my harness.

After kitting up I got back in my wheelchair and wheeled to the front of the building to board the jeep to take me up to the start of the zip wire. If, like me, you are a wheelchair user, you will not travel in the red truck provided for other participants but instead will travel in the staff jeep. This is because it enables your wheelchair to travel with you to the top and then it is taken to the end of the zip wire so you can get straight back in. The red truck also has side benches and no seat belts so is not that good for a lot of disabled people. The good thing about wearing a harness is it gives staff something to hold onto and this was a real benefit for me when boarding the jeep. After a winding drive to the start of the Big-zipper, I could admire the stunning scenery and views out towards Anglesey. On a clear day, it is possible to see the Isle of Man, although it was a little too misty on the day I was there.

Non-disabled participants can have a go on the Little-zipper which is a much smaller zip before attempting the Big-zipper so they have some idea of what to expect. However, Zip World don’t usually offer this to disabled guests as feedback was that it was a bit of a hassle to keep getting in and out of a wheelchair and since a lot of people found it tiring they then didn’t enjoy the Big-zipper as much. Since I had no idea what to expect I was grateful to watch a couple of other people first to see what they had to do.

The Big Moment

The zip wire launch pad is up three steps so I was lifted up by staff members in my wheelchair. My harness was then attached to a zip wire carrier and my straps were tightened up so I felt completely secure. My weight was then fed back to a control centre who make the decision on whether weight needs to be added to speed up the rider or whether they will need to be slowed down by the addition of mini parachutes called “sliders”. This is to ensure riders reach the end of the zip wire and that they are not travelling too fast on landing. Usually people put their feet on a bar which is part of the harness but, since I don’t have feet, an extra strap was used instead. By now I was suspended over the edge of the quarry waiting to be set off. After 3-2-1 I was released to fly across the quarry!

It was an amazing feeling as I zipped across the sky – on average one mile in around one minute. You travel over a quarry which is now filled with water and is crystal-clear. If you look around you can see for miles.

The only down side of the zip wire is that it’s over in a flash and very soon you can see the landing platform ahead of you. As I flew in the equipment stopped me automatically and then staff helped to lower me back into my wheelchair which was waiting on the platform. Within minutes the jeep had arrived to take me back to the reception area to get out of the harness and boiler suit.

Zip World was a great experience and staff did everything possible to make it accessible, although there were steps to overcome. Zip World told me they have now had quite a few disabled zippers and all they would say is necessary is to be able to move your neck because otherwise you would not be able to look about.
Wales was a long way to go for the experience but there are other attractions in the area. To relax after your exciting zip wire experience, I’d recommend a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway (about 10 miles away) which is completely accessible and takes you to virtually to the top of Snowdon where there is a lovely café at the top. If you have keen walkers in your group, they can always enjoy walking up and meet you at the top. However, do check opening times at the railway closes over winter.

For more information visit Zip World
For more information on the railway visit Snowdon Railway