Shotover Canyon Swing lands OutdoorsMark

Media release from Shotover Canyon Swing
16 May 2011

Shotover Canyon Swing lands OutdoorsMark

The world’s highest cliff jump in Queenstown has picked up a national outdoor safety certificate for its award-winning, undie-staining, rope-swinging experience.

Shotover Canyon Swing was awarded OutdoorsMark New Zealand (ONZ) certification after flying through an advanced safety-focused systems audit. The audit checks four core assessment areas (procedures, people, equipment and activity areas) against currently accepted outdoor sector best practices.

General Manager Matt Hollyer said the company was quick to register for the OutdoorsMark as a means to confirm that its operation exceeded required safety standards.

“The safety of thrill-seekers comes first at Shotover Canyon Swing because this is not your average backyard swing. People hurtle at 150 km/ph through a canyon from a cliff-top platform, so it’s crazy, but really safe stuff,” he said.

“It was natural for our team to be proactive in getting our operation and its delivery tested and measured vigorously against industry best practice.

“As a result of having this OutdoorsMark we’re now able to show our assurance of safety and quality to both our staff and the wider public.”

He said OutdoorsMark was designed by the New Zealand outdoor sector specifically for the New Zealand outdoor sector and so provided a comprehensive assessment that gives risk management assurances to both the operator and adventure-seeker.

OutdoorsMark was established in 2004 by ONZ, the lead organisation supporting and representing outdoor recreation and education in New Zealand.

ONZ has been heavily involved in the recent Adventure Tourism Review and has worked alongside Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ) since 2009.

The OutdoorsMark was launched in 2004 as the independent process for assessing the robustness of operational safety policies, procedures and practices of outdoor recreation and adventure tourism operators.

Operators who have been certified with OutdoorsMark are representative of carrying out the best possible safety practices.

OutdoorsMark Programme Manager Garth Gulley said the certificate was valid for a period of three years, and that it was tremendous to see high-profile adventure tourism companies such as Shotover Canyon Swing working hard to raise safety standards.

“At present they are one of only a small group of adventure tourism operators in Queenstown to be awarded an OutdoorsMark,” he said. “We look forward to many other adventure tourism companies and outdoor recreation operators completing an OutdoorsMark audit – whether due to forthcoming changes in legislation or for additional benchmarking of in-house standards,” he said.

Click here to download the initial press release outlining legislative changes here.

In addition to being OutdoorsMark certified, Shotover Canyon Swing holds certification under the Department of Labour’s Amusement Devices Regulations, is a Qualmark-endorsed visitor activity and has a Qualmark enviro-bronze award for its sustainable practice.

For more information on Shotover Canyon Swing visit www.canyonswing.co.nz

To become a fan of Shotover Canyon Swing on Facebook visit click here or to follow the team’s blog visit www.canyonswing.co.nz/blog.

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About Shotover Canyon Swing:

Not your average backyard experience, the Shotover Canyon Swing is an undie staining, adrenalin stimulating activity achieved by launching yourself from a platform perched on top of a very high cliff edge. Reaching speeds of up to 150kph as the rocks rush towards you in a 60m freefall, the ropes then smoothly swing you out across the famous Shotover Canyon. From mild to mindblowing, we’ve got a jumpstyle to suit the most timid of swingers and the most adventurous adrenalin junkie.
Shotover Canyon Swing is a multi-award winning, OutdoorsMark certified and Qualmark-endorsed activity.
All Shotover Canyon Swing experiences are safe, fun and rewarding. Safety considerations are fundamental to every aspect of the operation with the best crew, training, equipment and procedures in place to give ensure the best experience. Swingers are secure in a chest and seat harness and swing on 2 independent ropes, each with a breaking strain of 2.8 tonnes, enough to lift four cars. All aspects of the swing satisfy industry safety requirements and are regularly inspected, maintained and upgraded. Experienced and extensively trained jumpmasters ensure your safety at all times. Regular rigorous inspections ensure the highest standards of operation.

Awards
Best Experience in New Zealand 2007, 2008 and 2010 The TNT Magazine Golden Backpacks Consumer Voted Awards
Humour in Business Supreme Award 2007 and 2008
Best Bungy/Swing at the 2009 and 2010 Rankers NZ Traveler Voted Awards
New Zealand Tourism Industry Association’s 2008 ‘Adventure Category Award’

ENDS

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