New thrills planned for landmark mill
02 Oct 2008
Move over bungy, a local volunteer group from the Manawatu town of Foxton, in the lower North Island, wants to introduce New Zealand's latest extreme sporting thrill - a spin on the blades of the town's landmark windmill.
Plans are underway to have the 32-metre-high ride running by Christmas, and to put the windy little coastal town on the must-do list for adrenaline junkies ready to try the next big experience.
Rotating blades
For those with a strong stomach, it all looks fairly simple. Windmill riders are strapped to the blades before going on a head-over-heels 360 degree spin.
Volunteer manager Dave Pilgrim, from the de Molen Foxton Windmill Trust, said the idea was inspired by a similar attraction in Amsterdam. Strapping mannequins to the rotating blades during the recent Foxton Spring Fling festival had created a lot of interest.
"It was not just young ones who were interested. We were really surprised by the number of 80-year-olds keen to have a go,'' Pilgrim said.
"A lot of people come to New Zealand to do things like bungy jumping. It has become a thrill-adventure destination. This will provide the country with a new extreme sports attraction."
Safety regulations
Engineers are working on how fast the blades should rotate, and design models to make the windmill ride comply with safety and other regulations.
"We do not want someone flying off. It has to be safe, fun and scary enough for people to want to have a go," Pilgrim said.
The fear junkies will get a certificate, T-shirt and optional movie, for between $75 and $100, with the option of being strapped on upside down to get a right-way-up view from the top of the windmill.
Horowhenua Mayor Brendan Duffy said it was an outrageous idea with the potential for Foxton to stamp its name on the map.
Vantage point
From the 32-metre vantage point high above the flat Manawatu plains, Foxton riders will be able to see miles of farmlands, coastal scenery, and surrounding mountain ranges.
A $5 million national Dutch museum planned for the town has also moved a step closer with the district council and the museum trust signing a deal. The museum is expected to attract 40,000 visitors a year.
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