Carolina Adventure World video, Canopy Zipline Fun from the Cedar Tower (weekend fun things to do near Charlotte)

Outdoor enthuziasts, thrill seekers and fun loving guys and gals unite at Carolina Adventure World “Where to ATV ride“!

Here is another awesome canopy zipline video this time from the 4 stories high Cedar Tower. Get the inside scoop on all the zip lines from my previous post.

Can you tell the guy is having the time of his life? This is the perfect company team building and offsite celebration your employees will actually enjoy! And is only $25 for all three zip lines including the famous Blue Sky Line!

So what are you waiting for?

Zip away at Carolina Adventure World video (fun activities with your dad near Columbia and Charlotte)

Still thinking of something fun to do with your dad this Father’s Day weekend? How about the ride of his lifetime? For just $25 he can zip all three lines over breath-taking scenery at the amazing Carolina Adventure World. That’s a standout gift he will enjoy and cherish for a very long time. The park is located right off of I-77, minutes drive from Lake Wateree State Park, about half an hour from Columbia and 50 minutes from Charlotte, NC.

Read my previous posts to get more facts about the Blue Sky “Giant” Zip Line and all other activities like ATV, motocross, RV and camping you can do in the park.

Here are 2 videos, first from the Giant zip line:

and second from the 3rd canopy zip line:

Happy zipping and riding with your loved ones at Carolina Adventure World!

The “Giant” Blue Sky Zip Line Facts and Trivia (awesome fun at Carolina Adventure World)

2009 Update: This season it seems the zipline schedule and prices have changed. As of now only the Giant Blue Sky line is open and only on Saturdays in late afternoon (4-7PM). The price has been also reduced to just $5. To ride all 3 lines and on different days you need advanced group reservations. My advice is to call them ahead at (803)-482-3689 or check the website.

This entire post is dedicated to the awesome, guaranteed fun, adrenaline pumping canopy zip line rides at the Carolina Adventure World, located half way between Charlotte and Columbia. Check my previous entry to learn more about all the cool stuff kids and parents who LOVE to act like kids can do every day.

Facts and trivia

1. There are 3 zip-lines: 1,300, 850 and respectively 1,100 feet long.

The first one, the Blue Sky “Giant” line, is by far the most popular. It takes about 45 seconds to ride through.

2. Want to be cool and play along the commands? Once you’re harnessed, the helmet is on and you’ve heard all the safety instructions the lingo goes like this:

Launch: “Ready to zip?”
Landing: “Zip is clear”
Launch: “Zipping”
Landing: “Zip away”

And off you go….from here you’re on your own (until you get close to the landing platform of course!). If you’re brave enough to keep your eyes open you’ll be rewarded with breath-taking views of the park covering a hundred of miles of forest and trails.

3. The riding equipment consists of harness and helmet, lanyard, carabiner, and the pulley. All is professional grade and provided for free the entire show.

Frequently asked questions

How high is the line?
The start for first 2 lines is about 22 feet high; the launch platform at the Cedar Tower for the canopy zip line is about 4 stories high.

How fast will I go?
It varies from person to person based on weight, wind conditions, skill level and willingness to go faster or slower.

How long is the ride?
Blue Sky is about 45 seconds, the 2nd line is about 30 seconds and the 3rd line is abut 40 seconds give or take.

Will I be spinning around?
Everyone will spin a little bit until they get the hang of it. Even most experienced riders can’t do much about it when the wind blows their way. This is in my opinion what makes it so much fun to ride.

Are you sure the equipment will hold?
Don’t worry about this. This is state-of-the-art high class equipment. The steel cable holds up to 22,000 lbs, the lanyard up to 5,000, the double-lock D-class carabiner and the harness each holds up to 3,600 lbs.

So I think you are well covered!

Riding Tips

Steering
This takes a lot of practice and you’ll only get better at it after 4-5 rides. Put two or three fingers from your leading hand on the carabiner attached to the leading lanyard (the short yellow belt). Don’t sweat it too much the staff will show you which one is it.

As you ride through and start twisting, gently turn your wrist in opposite direction. For example if you feel you’re about to turn left move your wrist to the right and vice versa. A slight easy turn is sufficient to re-adjust your position. It also helps if you start out going straight…it’s much harder to correct your position once you’ve twisted all the way through. As I said before don’t worry too much about it you’ll get the hang of it the more rides you do.

Controlling your riding speed
Rule of thumb: ball up to go faster, spread out to slow down.

In other words to pick up speed make yourself as small and tight as possible (knees up, hands tucked around the body, chin down to your chest) to reduce friction. The opposite is true if you want to slow down…spread your arms and legs as wide as possible like on a cross.

Happy Zip Line Riding at the Carolina Adventure World!

Lake Wateree Photos: A day of fun for the whole family

Lake Wateree is a fisherman’s delight big on big blues, crappie, bream, largemouth bass, striped bass and nightime cat-fishing. The parks even has a tackle and gift shop open daily till 8 PM; besides fishing supplies you can get snacks, drinks, souvenirs, firewood and fishing licenses.

Things to do
No worries if you’re not so big into fishing, there are plenty other activities to enjoy: tubing, canoeing and kayaking or plain old swimming. Of course there is nothing wrong with just laying around catching a nap or baking in the sun.

If you’re in to burn some calories while admiring the breath-taking natural surroundings hike the scenic 0.7 miles Deportes Nature trail or bike the paved roads in the park (no dedicated mountain bike trail yet).

Just minutes drive from the park is the fun-packed Carolina Adventure World park offering hundreds of miles of groomed ATV and motocross trails, and my favorite, canopy zip line rides. Right here in the heart of South Carolina!

Lake Wateree state park offers 72 sites, all with water and electrical service. Many will accommodate large RV. These sites go quickly in the summer months, so visitors should plan ahead.

Lake Wateree map and more info from the South Carolina state parks website.

Driving Directions
The park is about 35 miles north of Columbia and 75 miles south of Charlotte. From I-77: Take exit 41, follow secondary 41 N. to stop sign at Hwy 21. Turn left and go approximately 2-3 mi. to the first paved road. Turn right on Rd. 101 (River Rd.), the park is 5.5 mi. on the left.

For only $2 admission fee (free for kids under 15) that’s a family weekend getaway worth shouting about!

Adrenaline ATV and Dirt Biking Fun at the Carolina Adventure World (Columbia off-road weekend fun things to do)

Are you ready for some 4 wheels ride fun under the sun? Well come on down to Carolina Adventure World “Where to Ride” park. This is an ATV and motocross Mecca few miles from Winnsboro and Interstate 77. It is approximately 30 minutes north of Columbia and 50 minutes south of Charlotte.

At the Carolina Adventure World you can enjoy 100 miles of ATV and dirt biking trails, adrenaling motocross and mud bog racing. The surroundings are just breath-taking. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated throughout the day.

NEW! More than 5 uber-fun extra challenging exclusive dirt bike trails are now OPEN! Get a map at the Welcome Center.

You can rent equipment at the park (is much cheaper during the week $90 a day compared to $140 in the weekend); primitive tent and RV camping is available and there is a bath house with showers and restrooms on the premises. Adult daily pass is $25 and for kids under 17 is $15; multi day and annual passes are available as well. The park is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM (5PM during DST). All prices subject to change.

Where – Carolina Adventure World at 1713 Arrow Head Road, Winnsboro, SC, 29180. Here is the Google Map. For prices, ATV rental, camping info and reservations call (803) 482-3534

Driving Directions:
From Charlotte: Take I-77 exit 48, then Hwy 200 East towards Great Falls; drive about 2 miles till stop sign and turn right (at the Pure Gas Station) until you reach next intersection and stop sign. Turn right onto Camp Welfare Road. The park entrance will be on your left.

From Columbia: Take I-77 exit 46, keep right onto Camp Welfare Road. The park entrance will be on your right ~2 miles after you pass the Zion Baptist Church.

See photos and videos on the Carolina Adventure World official website.

Hungry for some more outdoor action in Columbia without breaking the bank? Check out these awesome mountain bike trails:

Harbison Forest State Park

Sesqui State Park