ParadropVR simulates a realistic feeling of gliding through the sky
ParadropVR immersive paragliding experience to launch at EAS
In an exciting move for Simworx, the UK-based company has joined forces with a new name to the attractions industry, Frontgrid, to bring a brand new, “world-first” product to the market. The official product launch will take place at EAS 2017 in Berlin, Germany.
The patent-pending ParadropVR™ is an IP-protected, immersive, virtual reality (VR) attraction, featuring integrated gamification which allows the user to fully control the game play and movement.
Developed by the Conwy, North Wales-based Frontgrid team, led by co-founder and chief executive Matt Wells, ParadropVR™ provides a truly immersive VR experience that simulates flying a paraglider, with an up-and-down motion that incorporates sudden drops and smooth deceleration to create a realistic feeling of gliding through the skies.
Additionally, the ParadropVR™ ride features an interactive gaming element controlled by the participant, with points awarded to each individual rider as they make their way ‘back down to earth’. Riders will aim to fly through a series of targets, for example, to score as many points as possible. Riders physically move through a vertical distance of 1.8 metres (6 feet) during the experience.
With multiple theming and content options on offer and a modular design that provides high hourly capacity and low operating costs, ParadropVR™ is ideal for operation in a wide range of venues, including theme parks, FECs, shopping malls, cinemas, bowling locations, cruise ships and more, while also being an ideal attraction for the events and mobile sector.
“Our mission is to create world-first, iconic adventure experiences with strong brands and protectable IPs, underpinned by disruptive, high-growth, high-return business models,” says Wells. “We are delighted to have partnered with Simworx, a world leader in the development and supply of media-based, dynamic simulation attractions, to create and bring to market the first of our experiences. And, of course, we are excited to be launching ParadropVR™ at this year’s EAS. It’s a totally new concept and I’m sure it will create much interest among operators when revealed in September.”
Standard configurations of the attraction are four to 12 rider units, in line or double, and six to 20 rider units in a circular layout.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Wolfgang Kiessling
We talked to Wolfgang Kiessling, who set
up a small parrot park on Tenerife in the
1970s. Today, Loro Parque and Siam Park
are some of Europe’s top attractions
Promotional feature: Sysco Productions
Sysco Productions is a world-class experience delivery
company, working for global clients in the museum and
heritage, exhibition, and sports and leisure industries
Key Specifications • Unit size: 2.5m x 2.5m x 4.5m • Minimum rider height: 1.2m • Maximum rider weight: 160kg • Ride/game time: 2 minutes • Actual distance travelled: 1.8m • Total hourly ride capacity (THRC) for the four to 12 rider units: 80 to 240 • THRC for the six to 20 rider units: 120 to 400
ParadropVR simulates a realistic feeling of gliding through the sky
ParadropVR immersive paragliding experience to launch at EAS
In an exciting move for Simworx, the UK-based company has joined forces with a new name to the attractions industry, Frontgrid, to bring a brand new, “world-first” product to the market. The official product launch will take place at EAS 2017 in Berlin, Germany.
The patent-pending ParadropVR™ is an IP-protected, immersive, virtual reality (VR) attraction, featuring integrated gamification which allows the user to fully control the game play and movement.
Developed by the Conwy, North Wales-based Frontgrid team, led by co-founder and chief executive Matt Wells, ParadropVR™ provides a truly immersive VR experience that simulates flying a paraglider, with an up-and-down motion that incorporates sudden drops and smooth deceleration to create a realistic feeling of gliding through the skies.
Additionally, the ParadropVR™ ride features an interactive gaming element controlled by the participant, with points awarded to each individual rider as they make their way ‘back down to earth’. Riders will aim to fly through a series of targets, for example, to score as many points as possible. Riders physically move through a vertical distance of 1.8 metres (6 feet) during the experience.
With multiple theming and content options on offer and a modular design that provides high hourly capacity and low operating costs, ParadropVR™ is ideal for operation in a wide range of venues, including theme parks, FECs, shopping malls, cinemas, bowling locations, cruise ships and more, while also being an ideal attraction for the events and mobile sector.
“Our mission is to create world-first, iconic adventure experiences with strong brands and protectable IPs, underpinned by disruptive, high-growth, high-return business models,” says Wells. “We are delighted to have partnered with Simworx, a world leader in the development and supply of media-based, dynamic simulation attractions, to create and bring to market the first of our experiences. And, of course, we are excited to be launching ParadropVR™ at this year’s EAS. It’s a totally new concept and I’m sure it will create much interest among operators when revealed in September.”
Standard configurations of the attraction are four to 12 rider units, in line or double, and six to 20 rider units in a circular layout.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Wolfgang Kiessling
We talked to Wolfgang Kiessling, who set
up a small parrot park on Tenerife in the
1970s. Today, Loro Parque and Siam Park
are some of Europe’s top attractions
Promotional feature: Sysco Productions
Sysco Productions is a world-class experience delivery
company, working for global clients in the museum and
heritage, exhibition, and sports and leisure industries
Key Specifications • Unit size: 2.5m x 2.5m x 4.5m • Minimum rider height: 1.2m • Maximum rider weight: 160kg • Ride/game time: 2 minutes • Actual distance travelled: 1.8m • Total hourly ride capacity (THRC) for the four to 12 rider units: 80 to 240 • THRC for the six to 20 rider units: 120 to 400
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
