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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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