Tower Zip

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu is great, indeed, in every aspect!

It has successfully pioneered an adventure tourism concept on literally higher dimension.

And even though you can’t expect a screaming testimonial from this writer after that exhilarating eight seconds of my life, as I went zipping 250 feet long, hanging high at 473 feet off the ground, from Tower 1 of Crown Regency’s 41st storey to Tower 3 last May 28 – I am shrieking crazy at you now, challenging every daredevil to give your lungs a bustin’!

I’d been mock victim for most of our high-angle evacuation drills at Rescue 160, so I’ve long been acquainted to the zing, zest and animation while “sliding for life”, or being attached to a spine board; and either on horizontal or vertical position (or even upside down). The experience is beyond words. How much more with the Tower Zip with a bird’s eye view of Metro Cebu’s urbanscape? It literally provided an “elevated platform” to thrill and chill as the rider goes for the kill!

Works for Crown Regency Hotel’s Sky Extreme Adventure were still ongoing when we first visited “higher grounds” before its opening on April 15. So I had to postpone the excitement. On May 28, however, Corporate Communications Department creative director Edward Tan and Ms. Amor Vequiso green-lighted my entry to the take-off platform.

It was Brian Marave of the 11-man crew (Tower Zip-Sky Extreme Guys) who assisted me with the orange jumpsuit. He said it’s mandatory for tower “zippers” to wear the suit for protection. Of course, there is the other safety gear to don – the helmet (Petzl underscored).

It was a lot easier to understand the mechanics of the Tower Zip because its project consultant Rick Cole, earlier, pointed out that it is the first zipline in the world to use a fully automatic braking system allowing riders to experience a smooth and controlled stop. Up to four riders can simultaneously enjoy the ride. Tower Zip-Sky Extreme Guys with Ms. Candyl Nazareth Almeda, one of three nurses on duty, introduced the safety features and agreed to a demo.

It was also an opportune time to share to Cole how a colleague of mine was overheard at the newsroom expressing fears for such extreme form of entertainment/amusement: “Bahala nag suholan, di gyod ko mo-zip. Why would I court disaster?”

Cole dealt with the feedback through the following explanation: Designed and built using the highest industry standards, the Tower Zip has a double-redundant restraint system to ensure the safety of all riders so they can enjoy the eight most breathtaking seconds of their life.

This means that double pulleys used have a breaking strength of over 5,000 lbs. or about 220 pounds. With a redundant system, a rider can even hook a car up and take it ziplining with him. Also, the double pulley system allows for maximum speeds of up to 65 feet per second – ensuring fast and smooth ride!

Another point is that cables have met international standards of 14,000-pound tensile strength.

At Tower 3, technical supervisor Mark Joseph Griño pushed the trolley to provide optimum comfort in unfastening the rider. I then transferred to the Sky Lift which allowed me to look around and enjoy the view as I dangled from the motorized lift back to Tower 1. While sitting on a podium, 461 feet off the ground, I waved at street magician/TV personality Jef Tam, who with a company of adrenaline junkies, was indulged at the Sky Walk on the 37th floor.

Designed, as well, following the highest safety guidelines, the Sky Lift ensures the safety of the rider back to the take-off platform. It is the first of its kind (motorized lift for ziplines) in the country.