






History of OGO
In 1994, Andrew Akers and Dwane van der Sluis invented a big inflatable ball that people could jump inside and roll around in. Initially they thought they could use the ball for walking on water but they soon found they could have more fun rolling down hills in it, and the activity of 'zorbing' was born.
Check out our timeline of mildly interesting events that have happened since;
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• Andrew promotes Coca-Cola with zorbing in Taiwan
• David promotes Nike with zorbing on tour with the Brazilian soccer team in Korea & Japan with muchas samba dancers • The Flaming Lips' request free zorb-ball for use in concerts - Andrew refuses request after listening to album 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots' |
• Andrew wears suit and white gloves to open first zorbing operations in Ashikita, Japan • Peter Gabriel goes zorbing on-stage during 'Growing Up Live' tour of Europe and USA
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• Andrew films Coca-Cola ad in Malaysia zorbing through school hallways and down staircases
• The Amazing Race goes zorbing in Rotorua, NZ |
• Chris Roberts invests and joins company to develop zorbing in the USA • David invents 'Zurf' and tests on beach north of Auckland. Zurf is hit by boat and sunk - David swims to safety • Andrew introduces elephants to zorbing at the Auckland Zoo, NZ - much trumpeting
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• Andrew travels to Bermuda for zorbing promotion with 20/20 cricket tournament • Chris provides zorbing ball to 'Lola Bananas' for drag-queen beauty contest • Andrew & David leave original company frustrated by an increasingly corporate culture imposed by new regime controlling the company
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• Chris promotes Bell-South in USA in ad (and wishes to be known as the stuntman zorbing on TV)
• Andrew & David sell shareholding and sever ties to original company • Chris leaves original company • Andrew & David develop games company 'Sacred Echo' • David invents Fishpipe |
• Chris sets up OGO USA • Amesbury Sports Park opens OGO site in MA, USA • 1st Fishpipe opens for business in Mt Maunganui, NZ
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• Andrew & David join forces with Chris Roberts to develop OGO & Fishpipe internationally • 'Roundtop Ski Resort' open OGO site in PA, USA
• Fishpipe opens in Pigeon Forge, TN, USA • OGO and Fishpipe attend IAAPA Expo in Las Vegas • Fishpipe opens in Philip Island, Australia |

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• Andrew & Dwane invent the 'orb' in Auckland, New Zealand • First downhill 'orbing' tested at Akers' family farm near Kawerau, New Zealand |
• Activity is rebranded as 'zorbing' • Trial zorbing down volcanic cone in One Tree Hill, NZ - click on image for VERY early video footage • 1st TV cameras film zorbing for Swedish TV show |
• Temporary site closed due to Motorway being built through it • Dwane resigns from company |
• Andrew visits Europe to start first zorbing operations outside NZ • David Akers starts first permanent zorbing site in Rotorua, New Zealand • David develops harnessed zorbing |
• Andrew & David develop hydro-zorbing • British TV show; 'Top Gear' film zorbing - David stunt-doubles for Jeremy Clarkson • MTV film zorbing for 'Road Rules' • Andrew trials zorbing on water in LA water park
• Andrew promotes Nike with zorbing in Australia |
• Jet Propulsion Laboratories request zorb-ball for NASA research re Mars Landings - Andrew initially dismisses request as joke • Andrew provides zorb-balls to Seaworld, San Diego for 'cirque de la mer' production by Imagination Entertainment |
• Zorbing at Burning Man, NB, USA • Andrew goes zorbing in Times Square, NYC • Snow zorbing trialed in Argentina
• David invents new product; 'Zorpedo' trials on wife prove unsuccesful |
• Nickelodean film zorbing - David releases zorb-ball and knocks over presenter • Andrew visits zorbing operations in Chengdu, China • Paul Knight sets up zorbing park in South UK • Nude zorbing for free is banned after too many guys go naked |

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• Fishpipe opens at Wahooo! Waterpark in Bahrain • Mobile Fishpipe starts operating out of Arizona, USA • Fishpipe opens in Dallas, Texas. • Horseshoe Resort opens OGO park in Ontario, Canada • We move to a new, bigger, brighter factory and hire more staff
• Fishpipe appears on Discovery Channel
• The OGO and the Fishpipe appear on Japanese TV • OGO appears on 'The Late Show with David Letterman
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