Ziplining is like riding a bike, I told myself nervously as my Uber dropped me off at Empower Adventures Tampa Bay, an adventure park in Oldsmar, Florida.
I’d been once before at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, back in 2005, when I was backpacking through Costa Rica.
It was an unforgettable experience, although I often couldn’t see the ends of the zip lines as they disappeared into the mist.
But that was nearly 20 years ago, and I could feel my mind weighing my fear of heights with the confidence that comes from having ziplined before.
About Empower Adventures
Empower Adventures was founded by Joe Dering, a U.S. military veteran, and two partners who strongly believe in building individual and team confidence through physical challenges.
It’s a mission I wholeheartedly agree with as I’ve tried to face fears head-on, whether it’s a tandem skydive in Virginia, a canyon swing in Queenstown, or scuba diving in Australia.
There’s something primal about putting yourself in challenging situations and taking a leap of faith, knowing trained guides and high-quality safety equipment support you.
The Empower Adventures zipline course was built in the peaceful Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve at the north end of Old Tampa Bay.
It’s about 16 miles and a 30-minute drive northwest of downtown Tampa and about the same distance east of Clearwater Beach.
Zip Line Adventure: My Experience
I arrived 30 minutes early for my 11 a.m. Zip Line Adventure and I watched the group before me zip off the 60-foot-high tower that marks both the beginning and end of the course.
The harnesses and helmets for my group were laid out neatly on the covered concrete patio where we would greet our instructors. First, I had to sign a waiver (standard operating procedure!).
At 11 a.m., our guides, Alex and Ethan, joined us and helped us put on the safety gear. Over by the starting tower, they also gave a brief overview of the adventure course and what we could expect.
The four other people on my tour included a young man who bought the adventure for his wife’s birthday and a small girl (no more than 10 or 12 years old) with her mom.
First Two Ziplines
After the briefing, we were clipped into a safety wire and climbed up the 60-foot spiral staircase to the top of the wooden platform.
When Alex asked who wanted to go first, I noticed some hesitation from the others and so…
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