Falling with Style – Engineering the Vertigo Free-Fall Ride

At KUSCH, we believe adventure sparks creativity. That’s why ‘Fun’ is one of our core values—and when some inventive Kiwis came looking for help designing a brand new way to jump off something, we were all in.

Vertigo, the Southern Hemisphere’s first ride of its kind, is the newest thrill at Velocity Valley Adventure Park in Rotorua, New Zealand. The ride launches brave souls into a 43-metre free fall, lasting four adrenaline-charged seconds before the system safely catches them.

KUSCH was engaged to engineer the ride’s mechanical cable system and support frame, responsible for decelerating and safely capturing each rider. Our scope included:

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for strength and fatigue of the articulated pulley system

• Specification of bearings and bushings for reliable performance

• Detailed mechanical fabrication drawings for manufacture

We also incorporated structural elements to allow for safe assembly, inspection, and maintenance, and ensured full compliance with AS3533.1 Amusement Rides & Devices.

The result? A terrifyingly thrilling experience that some riders say is scarier than bungee jumping or skydiving.

Well done, Kiwis—always pushing the limits of adventure. We’re proud to have helped make it happen.