After years of planning and a delay due to the pandemic, the world’s longest zipline is set to open near Cape Town.
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Located in the wheatfields of Overberg near Caledon, just over an hour from Cape Town, the K3 SA Forest Adventures Caledon zipline will allow thrill-seekers to fly along a 3.2-kilometre cable from a mountain summit to a landing stage by the N2 freeway.
At 3.2 kilometres, K3 will surpass the current record-holder, Jais Flight in Ras al Khaimah, which is 2.83 kilometres long.
For Clinton Lerm, owner of SA Forest Adventures, which operates four other ziplines in the Cape, this marks the culmination of a long process.
‘I spent two years searching for suitable sites across South Africa. The location needed to be logistically practical and easily accessible,’ says Lerm.
‘One day, I saw towers on top of a mountain, indicating a road was already built to the summit. Riding up the mountain with a farmer, I knew this was the perfect spot for the world’s longest zipline. However, thorough calculations and considerations, like wind direction, were necessary.’
After years of planning, the last week of May saw the installation of a guide cable by helicopter, with the main cable and other equipment soon to follow.
‘The zipline industry has evolved significantly. I co-authored the white paper for zipline installation and safety in South Africa. All our ziplines comply with this legislation, ensuring top safety standards. We also bring in external inspectors to ensure compliance,’ Lerm adds.
As final preparations are made, the exact opening date remains uncertain, but the first riders are expected within a month, weather permitting. Updates will be available on the K3 Facebook page.
Lerm already has plans for a five-kilometre zipline.
‘We will start phase two in a year or two. We aim to remain the longest zipline in the world.’
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Picture: SA Forest Adventures / Facebook
