It’s been years since I had been ziplining (my favorite was Dragon’s Breath in Labadee, Haiti). But as my nerves started to kick in on the drive, I kept explaining to my kids that it is like riding a bike – once you get the hang of it, it feels natural.
ABOUT EMPOWER ADVENTURES TAMPA BAY
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 East of Clearwater where we were vacationing for 3 days. It is the perfect outdoor activity for families with kids 7 and older. (Check their website for minimum weight and height restrictions.)
MY EXPERIENCE ZIPLINING WITH KIDS
Myself and kids (ages 10, 13 and 14) left the Clearwater Beach hotel around 8:45a.m. to allow for any potential traffic. It was a quick and easy drive. We arrived 45 minutes early for our 10a.m. Zip Line Adventure reservations. We were welcomed immediately at the check-in window, our waivers were verified (do those online ahead of time), used the restrooms, watched the team prep the area for our group and walked around the park until excursion time.
A few minutes before 10am, we were introduced to our tour guides, Lily and Chong, who gave us the run down on what to expect and got us ready to go! In addition to the four of us, we had 4 other people in our group. After we were instructed how to put on our harness and helmets properly, we headed as part of a larger group to the 60-foot-high tower that marks both the beginning and end of the course.
EMPOWER ADVENTURES COURSE
Ziplines One and Two
After these first two ziplines, we all four felt a sense of relief and exhilaration. We were ziplining! The kids were having fun, and easier than they expected, and it was a beautiful view too!
Obstacles
At this point there are four challenges to conquer on the Empower Adventures course before you can resume ziplining:
- Spaced bridge – uneven boards spaced out and shakey. But this was the easiest of the four obstacles, but intimidating because it is the first one.
- Swinging log -swinging log bridge that has a mind of its own. The trick is to not stop, because the log keeps rolling.
- Hanging ropes- Tarzan-like cable traverse about 50 feet off the ground. The ropes of varying lengths hung down from a wire. A challenge within a challenge is to try to get across only using the three long ropes. My oldest completed that challenge like it was nothing!
- Cable traverse- a steel cable you walk and a rope at chest height to lean against as you walk across
Ziplines Three and Four
After the obstacles were completed, a zipline sounded easy peasy! And we were ready for some wind to cool us down a bit. The third zipline was the fastest of all lines, taking you 600 feet across to the suspension bridge. Once we all made it to the entrance of the bridge, Lily and Chong talked a little about the wildlife in the areas before we trekked over to the finale. This final zipline was the longest at 650 feet and delivered us back to the 60-foot high platform where we began.
A SMALL LEAP OF FAITH TO END THE ADVENTURE
One last moment of fear to overcome before completing the tour: jumping off the platform in a rappel style. It’s little leap of faith, and a great way to end the excursion! If you liked that, they do offer an add-on activity called Leap of Faith that has you rappeling off a much higher platform.
Empower Adventures Tampa Bay
423 Lafayette Blvd.
Oldsmar, FL 34677, United States
zipontampabay.com
Do you have a favorite zipline adventure?
I’d love to hear from you!
Feel free to comment below or email me at Mandy @ acupful .com
Want to connect on a more personal level!?
You can find me & Acupful.com on
Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, & Pinterest!
I received a complimentary zip line tour at Empower Adventures organized by Visit St Pete/Clearwater