ZIP ON!

What's it like to fly above the forest and valley trees, and level with the trees? Now, this is not being in a plane or helicopter.

I can tell you that it's breathtaking and exhilarating. Zip lining is one of those activities you could spend the entire day doing. You look all around you and you're so high above the ground and it's like you're flying! This is the perfect activity for everyone.

In Hawai'i and on O'ahu? Kualoa Ranch recently opened a seven line/switchback zip line activity in Ka'a'awa Valley. Beauty at its finest. No matter where you look, where you zip, you're surrounded by the beauty everyone talks about Hawai'i having. Granted, O'ahu is the most populated and developed, but we often forget how much of it is being cultivated and looked after. Kualoa being one of those places, restoring a fish pond, raising health grass-fed cattle, which also happens to mean selling grass-fed beef. Not only that, they time to share and teach about the Hawaiian Culture. I went a little off track there, but it could be relevant, I'm building the experience here, and painting a picture for you readers :)

Our own little group consisted of my mom, dad and boyfriend (myself included, hah). The four of us  signed in and waited for our tour guide/bus driver to greet us. Before you board the small bus, you fill out a wavier and weigh yourself. We had eight people in our group, which resulted in our zip trip being around two hours. We were advised that having more than eight people means your trip could be as long as two and a half hours, not so bad. Once you start your journey you don't want it to end. On our way up to the valley, we saw some four-wheelers starting their rides or coming back and got some fun historical facts and even got a mini movie tour! I have to admit, it's pretty cool to see which movies have chosen this location. As we got closer to our zip headquarters, we were introduced to a zip line chant tradition....which I'll let you discover when you go. It's nothing crazy, just something fun to get you ready.

Can you spot the four-wheelers?
Photo: M. Rosson on GoPro

As we got off the bus we were greeted by our zip team, Angie, Chris and Elijah, all were fantastic! The had such a great rapport with each other and knew what they were doing. We couldn't have asked for a better crew to guide us and have our backs. The first zip is the shortest, I believe 200 ft, but after that it gradually grows. One is so long that you have to "coconut" or pull your legs in like a ball and mimize the air drag if your arms and legs are sticking out like a starfish. If you catch too much air this way you'll slow down quite a bit and get stuck in the middle, hah. But, don't fret, they'll zip out to you and pull you back.

Feeling adventurous? You'll have several opportunities to explore and bring out the "love of adventure" feeling inside. Get that zip hook all secured on a line and walk across two bridges. If you're the first one across, easy peasy, if you and the entire group walk across together, good luck keeping your balance! You'll get some good laughs and test your group communitcation skills.

At the end of the day, you'll have laughed, sweat and made some new friends. Don't be afraid to take a leap off the edge of the platform. Explore Hawaii's history and escape the busy streets and stores of O'ahu by being active!

Forget to mention, you're wearing quite a bit of equipment too, but you feel cool.
photo: M. Rosson on GoPro

Tips

• Wear sunscreen 
• Wear comfortable clothes (workout clothes are best)
• Wear covered shoes 
• Bring sunglasses
• Bring/wear a hat (you can wear the hat under your helmet, and at times you'll be thankful for the face shade)
• You can bring your GoPro or phone - BUT. strap it on tight and don't drop it. As they say...be prepared to say "aloha" to your device if you drop it
• Bring people! Zipping is more fun with your friends and family! 
• Get loose and have fun! It really is as fun as it looks