My idea of Australian Coaster Club comes from my passion for roller coasters. In 1976 at the age of four I went on the Big Dipper at Luna Park Sydney and I was totally thrilled by the experience. The Big Dipper at Luna Park became my favourite ride until its demise in 1979. This passion of mine continued through my teens visiting Wonderland Amusement Park on a regular basis. Then in my late 20’s I went to Los Angeles to visit Disneyland which was great but when I discovered Six Flags Magic Mountain I couldn’t believe the size and numbers of rollercoaster’s they operated. I became totally addicted to riding rollercoaster’s and wanted to discover more places to visit. I am 38 now and in the last 10 years I have experienced over 200 rollercoaster’s in the USA, Japan, Europe, London and South Africa. I still feel the same excitement as I did when I rode the Big Dipper at Luna Park Sydney way back in the late 1970s.
A perfect example of my passion was in 2004 when I embarked on Roller Coaster Tour of the United States:
After a 13 hour flight to Los Angeles, arriving around lunch time, I was suffering from jet lag but on realising I had only two days in Los Angeles, I wanted to make the most of it. I was not going to rest and concentrate on getting over my fatigue – NO WAY!
With my roller coaster passion, I just had to hire a car and travel up to Six Flags Magic Mountain. I was keen to ride their newest roller coaster, X the world’s first 3 Dimensional rollercoaster, a very unique experience indeed. I left my hotel around 1.30pm and having driven to Six Flags Magic Mountain few years back I thought I knew how to locate the park, however being jet lag, I spent 4 hours navigating my way to the park.
I arrived at the park around 5.30pm fortunately for me the park was open to 10pm that night so still had time to ride their new rollercoaster X. I paid my entry fee and headed straight towards the X rollercoaster to find there was a one hour wait. I didn’t care I just wanted to ride the rollercoaster as I was very excited! Then some bad news, the ride broke down and it was going to be another hour or even more before it would resume. But I eagerly waited while most people lining up left the waiting line. Fortunately, my patience paid off. The ride open again within the hour and I found myself in front of the queue and managed to secure what people were saying, the best seat on the ride. After riding X, I was happy and relieved to get that experience, and afterwards I spent the evening enjoying other attractions of Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Heading back to my hotel, I got lost. I had forgotten the name of the street to turn off to my hotel as I found it difficult reading the street signs. So I had to slow down to 30mph/50km on a 65mph/ 110km freeway. At this time it was around 1 am in the morning and next thing I hear a siren and a guy on a loud speaker telling me to pull over. It was the Los Angeles Police and I felt scared not knowing what I have done. The Police asked me for my licence and where I was going. In my mind I was thinking with myself being jet lag and having red eyes and fatigued I could be in some trouble here. But fortunately the Police realised I was from Australia and just lost. Thankfully I was escorted back to my hotel.
Initially I would travel by myself, but in 2004 found a company in America that specialises in coaster tours. The benefit of this is not only the personal enjoyment and thrills associated with the roller coasters and amusement parks, but the companionship and the cross culture experience being part of a group. As a result, I have forged some enduring good friendships. I have pondered why this has not been done in Australia? So I have decided to follow my passion and start my own roller coaster club and here in Australia.
