When you approach a zipline or watch somebody riding down it from afar, there’s probably a nagging thought in the back of your mind: is it safe?
It’s an understandable concern, especially considering the high speeds and heights that come with ziplining, but it’s not something that should keep you from strapping in and enjoying the ride. Though it may look like it’s held up by questionable rigging, when it comes to Hawaii’s most professional zipline courses, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. At a reputable zipline course, you’re as safe as can be!
The People
One thing you’ll come to find with Hawaiian zipline courses is that safety is the most important focus. Your entertainment is nothing something any course would risk your safety for, so expect to go through an in-depth safety lesson before getting strapped in.
The guides that direct the zipline course and ensure you make it from platform to platform are well-trained individuals that have had many hours of on-hand experience with the ziplining equipment. Before sending you off on your high-speed adventure, they’ll make sure everything is fastened appropriately and that you’re not only entirely safe but also comfortable.
You can trust any adjustments they make as these trained guides have been coached by the expert engineers behind the design and construction of the course.
The System
The many professional zipline courses across the Hawaiian Islands were built with two things in mind – fun and safety. Between each platform, a long stretch of heavy, weighted cable, typically ¾” thick, serves as your means of transport. While lower-grade zipline courses may rely on thinner wire, professional courses on the islands stick to cabling that’s rated to hold approximately 56,000 pounds.
Before jumping on the line, riders are strapped snuggly into a safety harness, which is connected to a series of tethers, carabineers, and trolleys that keep you safely in the air. This safety system, considered to be state-of-the-art, can not only support up to 5,000 lbs but are also designed to brake on their own, allowing the rider to enjoy the experience entirely.
Though these courses are designed to last, they also go through periodic inspections to ensure they’re still up to code and sturdy for riders.
The Golden Rule
When it comes to your safety, you should have no questions before strapping yourself in to the zipline harness. After the guide goes through the safety talk, if you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
While you should have no worries, they may still pop up, so let them out, ask questions, and get comfortable with what you’re about to do. Ziplining is a fun experience to engage yourself in and there’s no reason why you should be nervous as you’re going down the line.
So strap in, let go, and enjoy the freeing ride! You’re in perfectly good hands.
