One of the main reasons we decided to visit Catalina Island was because of all of the rave reviews we got from friends about the ziplining tour. A few years ago, you would have never guessed that Avalon would be home to an adventure sport like ziplining. But, adrenaline enthusiasts of all ages flock to the small island to test their fear of heights.
We made a reservation to go ziplining in the afternoon, after spending a couple hours kayaking. We checked in, got weighed to make sure we made the weight requirements, and put all of our belongings in a locker before waiting for our tutorial.
Our instructors, Ryan and Matt, told us everything we needed to know about ziplining in Catalina, from what to do if we get stuck on the line and how to position our body to get the most speed. The guys also fitted us with our harnesses and gave us the metal trolley we’d be using during our tour. The guys were really comforting and tried to lift the spirits of everyone in the group, especially those who were still uneasy about the tour. After a short tutorial, we took a bus up to the top of the canyon and saw some great scenery on the way.
Even though our instructors joked around with us about panicking while up on the zip line and told us what and what not to do, Ryan and Matt made sure our safety was the utmost of importance. The guys checked our harnesses and carabiners each time before we headed out on the line. Despite your hesitation, you’ll always be safe when you zip through the air with Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour.
I’m a risk taker when it comes to outdoor excursions. I’ve bungee jumped, skydived, and took a trapeze lesson so I’m no stranger to adrenaline-pushing, outdoor activities. Zip lining over the beautiful greenery in Catalina was just as thrilling. The initial jump was a bit nerve wracking. You are hooked onto the zip line with a safety rope until your instructors say it’s safe to go. While on a wooden platform, you literally step out into Descanso Canyon with nothing but air and vegetation below you.
The biggest hurdle while you’re ziplining for the first time is that you voluntarily fling yourself out of a safety area. Once you finally grow the cajones — and after some cheering from the strangers in your group to gather the courage — the experience is definitely thrilling. We reached speeds that pushed 45 MPH and ziplined from 500 feet in the air.
With Catalina Zip Line Eco Tours, you travel nearly ¾ of a mile through the canyon; the longest zip line is 1,100 feet across. After each of the five runs, our instructors told us a bit about the history of the island and its natural beauty. If you’re lucky, your instructors might even tell you the best place for a slice of pizza or where to watch the game!
If you’re a little nervous about heights, or if you’re a night owl, you might want to look into the Night Tour. Our instructors said that it’s especially enjoyable since you can’t really see how high above the canyon you are. After two hours of zipping through the air, you’ll definitely have memories that will last forever and stories that will impress your friends when you get back home. Located just above the Descanso Beach Club, you can’t miss the opportunity to zip line in Catalina.
Ziplining in Catalina with Wander Magazine from nadia ibanez on Vimeo.
Zipling through Descanso Canyon on Catalina Island from nadia ibanez on Vimeo.
For more information, visit http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/tour_zipline.php and “Like” them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ziplinecatalina.
