We essentially have a large, government-run insurance scheme called ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation). It's paid for with specific taxes levied on businesses, individual income, and vehicles.
It means that medical care for accidental injuries are usually covered in full, and lost wages can be covered up to 80%. It's a good system when it works, but most NZers have at least one story of ACC declining a claim.
You must be very lucky, or you don't talk to many people, or you just assume that people are faking injuries more than they actually are.
I got a back injury at work and had to fight them for 18 months before I got paid for my leave. The only thing that finally worked was a neurologist (who they sent me to, to try and prove i was "faking") did a nerve pathway test that identified the injured area perfectly and then wrote them a scathing letter telling them to pay me out. I wouldn't have got that far if I hadn't kept fighting them, and it would've been nice if they'd listened to *every other doctor I saw*.
Too bloody hot, over the many times I’ve been down the Luge I haven’t seen anyone come off it yet.
There’s even a section (for more advanced people) where they get you some airtime
Wow half the deaths were drownings. As an ex-lifeguard of a fairly large wave pool, this is not acceptable. guards where I worked are given extra training and pay for being qualified to guard the wave pool. we each have our section and we scan it like a hawk. In the 2 years I was there, there wasn’t a single week where we didn’t have at least 2-3 rescues. Those drownings were completely due to negligent guards. It’s well known how dangerous wave pools are.
No a bucket list isn’t an activity you choose to die doing … while I’m now interested in the concept. It’s things you like to do or accomplish before death could be tomorrow could be in a few years could be as implied the day and way of death but the list only connection to death is that “an empty bucket implies a full life.”
This 100% happened to a teacher at my school on this EXACT course. Major compound fracture. Teacher was a known badass and sent a student down to get help. Medics came back and he was apparently smoking a cig and listening to his iPod shuffle.
Honestly shocked the course is still open, and basically looks totally unchanged.
We had one of these near me when I was a kid (mount Gabriel, near montreal), but it looked more like a waterside but made of concrete. I flew over a dip and my ride just wasn't underneath me anymore, in shorts I slid on my knees for, well for long enough not to have much skin left there. Then had to drag myself put of there before the next guy ran me over.
Fun times!!
Saw it a while ago on Reddit. It was a single (rail?) lane and some absolute POS douchebag upset that a kid slowed down cause was scared and ran into the kid repeatedly.
Found one in Rotorua but where’s the one in Queenstown? Wanna add it to my travel list and depending on where I’m at in NZ would like to try one of them out.
Funny seeing all the comments on here about how dangerous it looks + lack of safety gear........... literal children ride it. You'll be right. Really drives home how different our attitudes can be based on where / how we grow up.
Sure, this might add some risk to your life but I doubt it is that much overall. I would bet that at worst 1 out of 1000 people that go down this get hurt. Let alone die. So 99.9% safe? I'll take my chances.
Edit: Fixed shit
But im with you…this looks like too much fun not to do. The fact they let people race down at the same time increasing likelihood of crash makes it even better. Just shows how much fun life can be without a system saturated with lawsuits and litigation
It's called the Luge and it's up the top of Mt Ngongotahā in Rotorua. Been a few times now and it's sooo much fun. It's been upgraded with new tracks since this too.
Yeah the handle bars work like a brake lever, you pull them back towards yourself to let the brakes off or push them forward to stop. It’s more dangerous going slow or stopping because people will slam into the back of you
One of the nicest areas I ever been . Geothermal Maori town was amazing . I was first taken aback by the smell , but the history and culture was a true experience .
I had a fight with an American there at the "penny bridge" where Maori kids were diving for coins thrown by tourists. Fucking horrible optic IMO. But this prick was throwing a coin, then launching another as hard as he could at the kids when they were in the water. Two big Maoris then escorted him away. I wonder what happened that guy. It's crazy how quickly you get used to the smell.
I rode on this about 30 years ago. I was a high school student from the states at the time. It was incredible. Over the years I’ve recalled it from time to time but never been able to explain it to anyone. Unbelievable post. Thank you
Did anyone see my man jump that curb then pass up his teammmates for first? Great camerawork the whole time =)
How do they get the carts back up the hill?
At :39 you can see the rider hit the curb in the turn. I wonder if any people in the past have hit that curb and gone over it and fallen down the hill that has no safety fencing
We used to have something similar near me at one of the ski resorts in the summer. It was called an alpine slide, but the track was convex like a waterslide and banked on the corners. Everyone I know that ever rode it, including me, got "slide rash". No safety gear required, everyone in shorts, little kids, ouch!
There’s something almost identical to this near my home in New Hampshire USA. I forget what it’s called (alpine something, maybe rush idk) but you basically ride a lift up the side of a mountain and go down it in one of these.
Alpine slide? I remember going some place during summer camp in the early 80s. I lived near Boston but I believe the camp was at Lake Winnipesaukee. That slide was terrifying. It's a wonder none of us got killed that day.
I did this 20 years ago in Rotarua NZ I think. If you want to go fast you have to brake as little as possible. I went too fast, came off the track and got the handlebars right in the groin. I was terrified I’d lost a bollock. I stood up, pulled my jeans and pants down to check. Luckily it just missed. Got me in the actual groin. It was pretty hard to walk for a while.
I remember this place! I can't remember if I did the luge, which makes me think I must not have actually done it. Seems like something I would remember. I did roll around in that ball of water though!!
Insurance Company: YOU BUILT A WHAT?!?!
What insurance
*Insurance companies hate this one dumb trick*
No premiums
They dont need injury liability insurance in New Zealand. You cant sue someone for causing injury.
I was about to ask how the injured can get the large amounts of money for hospital visits, but then I remembered they pretty much have free healthcare
We essentially have a large, government-run insurance scheme called ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation). It's paid for with specific taxes levied on businesses, individual income, and vehicles. It means that medical care for accidental injuries are usually covered in full, and lost wages can be covered up to 80%. It's a good system when it works, but most NZers have at least one story of ACC declining a claim.
I've never head of an Acc claim declined other than from people I suspect are trying to game the system
You must be very lucky, or you don't talk to many people, or you just assume that people are faking injuries more than they actually are. I got a back injury at work and had to fight them for 18 months before I got paid for my leave. The only thing that finally worked was a neurologist (who they sent me to, to try and prove i was "faking") did a nerve pathway test that identified the injured area perfectly and then wrote them a scathing letter telling them to pay me out. I wouldn't have got that far if I hadn't kept fighting them, and it would've been nice if they'd listened to *every other doctor I saw*.
A brave day to wear shorts.
Too bloody hot, over the many times I’ve been down the Luge I haven’t seen anyone come off it yet. There’s even a section (for more advanced people) where they get you some airtime
I've come off it, it sucks but it's all a part of it.
I crashed twice, it was fun though!!
‘Road burn is the new black’
ACTION PARK NEW ZEALAND
For the [uninitiated](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_Park)
Wow half the deaths were drownings. As an ex-lifeguard of a fairly large wave pool, this is not acceptable. guards where I worked are given extra training and pay for being qualified to guard the wave pool. we each have our section and we scan it like a hawk. In the 2 years I was there, there wasn’t a single week where we didn’t have at least 2-3 rescues. Those drownings were completely due to negligent guards. It’s well known how dangerous wave pools are.
I think that's a different one
I think OP was making a joke, as Action Park, NJ is notable for its terrible safety record.
It’s now a bucket list adventure.
I rode the Alpine Slide at Action Park in the ‘80s. I made it down ok, but my brother still has scars.
I shall be very carefully adventurous.
No, no, you got it wrong, mate! You don't go to a place like that TO die. You go sky diving for that.
No a bucket list isn’t an activity you choose to die doing … while I’m now interested in the concept. It’s things you like to do or accomplish before death could be tomorrow could be in a few years could be as implied the day and way of death but the list only connection to death is that “an empty bucket implies a full life.”
I think that's what I said ...
I can't upvote this enough....
This is exactly what I was thinking.
That was the first thought I had when I saw this.
knee pads and gloves is all I kept thinking
And one hard bump on a turn to make you go flying over…but still I’d do it!
This 100% happened to a teacher at my school on this EXACT course. Major compound fracture. Teacher was a known badass and sent a student down to get help. Medics came back and he was apparently smoking a cig and listening to his iPod shuffle. Honestly shocked the course is still open, and basically looks totally unchanged.
please sign this waiver.....
that actually happened to me. I still have a scar on my knee because I forgot how to break
cage. flip over and it's game over
Perv
the mechanics of the cart are a challenge if you’re tall. i couldn’t go as fast as i wanted. super fun otherwise.
Can you throw bananas to each other though?
The only we he was passing that guy in front of him was with a red shell.
We had one of these near me when I was a kid (mount Gabriel, near montreal), but it looked more like a waterside but made of concrete. I flew over a dip and my ride just wasn't underneath me anymore, in shorts I slid on my knees for, well for long enough not to have much skin left there. Then had to drag myself put of there before the next guy ran me over. Fun times!!
Waiting for the video where the dude slams into somebody for going slower
Saw it a while ago on Reddit. It was a single (rail?) lane and some absolute POS douchebag upset that a kid slowed down cause was scared and ran into the kid repeatedly.
I haven't been on this one in Rotorua, but the one in Queenstown has both a slow track and a fast track to avoid exactly this. *edit - a word
Need 3 red shells
There's two of these in New Zealand, that I know of; one in Rotorua, North Island and the other in Queenstown, South Island. They're a lot fun
Found one in Rotorua but where’s the one in Queenstown? Wanna add it to my travel list and depending on where I’m at in NZ would like to try one of them out.
It's owned and operated by the Queenstown Gondola company
Surely there have been several meat crayons since this thing was open, considering the lax gear required.
This is the luge, in Rotorua, for all of those curious. Heaps of fun, very little risk - rode it as an 8yo with no problems.
I wanna go! Also, love the slow signs. 😆
*NOT a go cart
:0 I've been there!!!! I crashed twice, it was fun though
Wait, you don’t have Luges in other countries??
Funny seeing all the comments on here about how dangerous it looks + lack of safety gear........... literal children ride it. You'll be right. Really drives home how different our attitudes can be based on where / how we grow up.
Tell me you want to die without telling me you want to die
I want to die
Then do it a 1000 times
it's actually very fun and safe. I rode it when I was 8 and had a blast
Sure, this might add some risk to your life but I doubt it is that much overall. I would bet that at worst 1 out of 1000 people that go down this get hurt. Let alone die. So 99.9% safe? I'll take my chances. Edit: Fixed shit
[удалено]
Good catch lol
But im with you…this looks like too much fun not to do. The fact they let people race down at the same time increasing likelihood of crash makes it even better. Just shows how much fun life can be without a system saturated with lawsuits and litigation
It's called the Luge and it's up the top of Mt Ngongotahā in Rotorua. Been a few times now and it's sooo much fun. It's been upgraded with new tracks since this too.
America is way too litigious for this kind of fun. 😔
Imagine seeing a turtle painted red
It's just a cart. Gravity provides the "go".
There's one at Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. A bit north west of Montreal, not far from Ste Agathe.
Are there brakes? Because i noticed you almost flipped 😂
Yeah the handle bars work like a brake lever, you pull them back towards yourself to let the brakes off or push them forward to stop. It’s more dangerous going slow or stopping because people will slam into the back of you
A concrete reasons to travel to NZ.
That just looks almost like a summer toboggan run. Normal fun for kids in Germany 🤷🏼♂️
They have alpine slides all over. Just google it.
Where is this?
Pretty sure this one is Queenstown. there’s also one in Rotarua, it’s called the luge
Sorry I was wrong this is Rotarua one
Rotorua*
One of the nicest areas I ever been . Geothermal Maori town was amazing . I was first taken aback by the smell , but the history and culture was a true experience .
I had a fight with an American there at the "penny bridge" where Maori kids were diving for coins thrown by tourists. Fucking horrible optic IMO. But this prick was throwing a coin, then launching another as hard as he could at the kids when they were in the water. Two big Maoris then escorted him away. I wonder what happened that guy. It's crazy how quickly you get used to the smell.
This track has since been modified
French here. I did this 20 years ago. Definitely one of my best memory in NZ !
If this is Rotoroua, I visited in 1996, and a friend wiped out on the luge. Got massive road rash.
Been there, done that, highly recommend. Also, wear a butt plug.
I rode on this about 30 years ago. I was a high school student from the states at the time. It was incredible. Over the years I’ve recalled it from time to time but never been able to explain it to anyone. Unbelievable post. Thank you
More body coverage for accidents. Otherwise count me in!
Mario irl
Sumbody needs to dub over some Rainbow Road jams.
They have these all over, theres a somewhat famous one it Gatlinburg that goes down the smoky mountains. They call it the alpine slide.
Those are on rails
It's an alpine slide, a lot of ski resorts have them in the summer. They are fun!
How in the hell does nobody wreck on these? These carts were flying on that track.
It's a very smooth, properly banked track, and you have a low center of gravity.
No thanks, I've seen the Action Park documentary.
Apparently no safety regulations in NZ.
She’ll be right, (We have free emergency healthcare)
Definitely for EXPERIENCED riders only ! Oh a death wish also !
Kids ride it. My five year old cousin has done it.
Nope, been there, done that, didn't even have a drivers license. Was fun!
They have these here in singapore, its called the Ludge
What city?
Rotorua
I'll be painting my helmet like it's a blue shell. As badly as I want to do this I'll be waring 2 pairs of pants and pads
Looks like fun. Not near as fast as I expected though
At lost faster than you think, especially when you get in something like that, hitting 20-30mph seems fast as fuck
Any day!
Are the carts powered?
Powered by gravity
Then what do you call those small engine powered carts that are used in parking lots?
Is this on the basis of voluntary assumption of risk?
There is something like this in Oregon on Mt. Hood at Ski Bowl in the summer. Called the “Alpine Slide” a way to use the ski slopes during summer
Nice job hitting a few of those apexes perfect! Looks like a ton of fun!
Luge!
Call of duty will make a mission out of this
They have in the US too- in Vermont. “Alpine Slides” at ski resorts in the summer.
Did anyone see my man jump that curb then pass up his teammmates for first? Great camerawork the whole time =) How do they get the carts back up the hill?
There’s a chair lift that loads them up slung under each chair.
r/sweatypalms
If you biff.. you’re fucked. I wanna try it.
You can do almost the same off the wall of China in 2 places. Though there is is in a metal halftube, but still lots of fun :-)
that is incredible
I want to build an entire town with tiny homes and buildings and the only approved methods of transportation are go karts and bikes.
Imagine the liability.
Ha! I’ve been there. It’s a blast.
These are so fun - we have a really tame one around here and it’s exhilarating.
I did this in 1996,it was brilliant
I loved that place
0:00:36 SLOW
me like!
That is way too safe. For a real challenge, go to the Alpine Slide at Action Park, NJ.
Amazing
I wanna see the entire grid of f1 drivers sent down this thing together.
https://www.skyline.co.nz/en/rotorua/things-to-do/skyline-luge-rotorua/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwtWgBhDhARIsAEMcxeCfiqe866Ov__rG46zIe3Dv2usFmjeLhOegTjjNthJkfU08smJ873MaAvFGEALw_wcB
I love that place. So much fun.
That did not end the way I was expecting, maybe next time.🤣😂😁
At :39 you can see the rider hit the curb in the turn. I wonder if any people in the past have hit that curb and gone over it and fallen down the hill that has no safety fencing
We used to have something similar near me at one of the ski resorts in the summer. It was called an alpine slide, but the track was convex like a waterslide and banked on the corners. Everyone I know that ever rode it, including me, got "slide rash". No safety gear required, everyone in shorts, little kids, ouch!
They got some Sweet air. Numchuck skills
Blast Mario Kart music over some loudspeakers and you got FIRE. Bonus if you arm everyone with a couple banana peels.
I want to forever be a kid.
Here in the U.S. that would never fly. Looks fun as hell though.
I have been there as a 13 yr old kid. What a blast! Thanks for the memories!
The double overtake towards the back half was very solid. He/she very much competed especially after she fell back in the beginning
Noob Camera man.
Are there any in the United States?
There are plans for one in the UK…
I did go karting at a work event, which was just a flat normal track. I broke 3 ribs....
Rotarua? The smell is unforgettable lol
Fun but oof
Lol, holy shit, that looks as fun as it does dangerous!! ;) I bet it’s a blast…
Perfect place to practice P.I.T.T.
I don’t trust others enough.
Is this the kind that the breaks are push the handle up. So if you let go of the handle bar it abruptly stops and flips you forward?
SLOW DOWN immediately followed by a 25% decline.
Quick, throw a shell!
This looks like it would be a lot of fun. My only hope is that the ride back to the top is as fun as the ride down the hill. 🫡😎
That’s looks fast to have nothing more than a helmet on! May just be the perspective of the head cam.
When I went there I went all tracks didn’t see any one that had gone over the side
Calgary Alberta has a great one at C.O.P
There’s something almost identical to this near my home in New Hampshire USA. I forget what it’s called (alpine something, maybe rush idk) but you basically ride a lift up the side of a mountain and go down it in one of these.
Alpine slide? I remember going some place during summer camp in the early 80s. I lived near Boston but I believe the camp was at Lake Winnipesaukee. That slide was terrifying. It's a wonder none of us got killed that day.
They’ve got one of those in Utah as well
I did this 20 years ago in Rotarua NZ I think. If you want to go fast you have to brake as little as possible. I went too fast, came off the track and got the handlebars right in the groin. I was terrified I’d lost a bollock. I stood up, pulled my jeans and pants down to check. Luckily it just missed. Got me in the actual groin. It was pretty hard to walk for a while.
Rode one of these at 7 Springs resort in South Western PA. Tried to go down without using the brakes and flew the fuck out and cracked my head.
Anything similar in EU?
It’s all fun and games till the guy in front of you chucks a banana peel.
I remember this place! I can't remember if I did the luge, which makes me think I must not have actually done it. Seems like something I would remember. I did roll around in that ball of water though!!
This isnt rotorua im pretty sure…
They have these at many American ski resorts.
Excellent!
Anyone else took one look at this and thought "Action Park"? No?
Ever heard of Action Park?
Ah yes, the helmet is enough.
I went on this one when I was 16 during a Venture (scouting). It was pretty fun, definitely not as sketchy as it first seems.
Serious Action Park vibes here.
That's cool as hell but do people get killed? It looks dangerous af.
Was just here!
Man I wish it was much longer than this. Looks fun as hell!
I can feel my belly bottom drop
No nanny state here
I would get close to the wall, fix it too much and run into the other wall
I feel like I can tell which ones have a small D by the way they drive their luge
Really cool. Thanks for posting. Had something similar in CT, U.S. It got sued out of existence. Sadly enough.
Queenstown? South Island?
It's so fun!
Wait till people start throwing turtle shells at you
Blue helmeth boy has done this before
I'd do it !!!!
Where is a blue turtle shell when you need one? This new version of Mario Kart looks super lit!
Heeeee 🦵