The Hampster Ball

The Hampsterball is a giant plastic sphere (like a zorb) which is rolled down an incline with a person inside, like a giant human hamster ball. (To be precise, it is actually two spheres, one inside the other, with a cushion of air in between them. The rider is harnessed to the inner sphere.)

The Hampsterball was procured by Circus Folk Unite! in F2009. We'd like to thank the Academy, &c.

HAMPSTERBALL Use Guidelines

 * Before being a 'rider' (the person inside the Ball) or a 'runner' (the people moving and guiding the Ball), participants must first sign a CFU! waiver. Only CFU! members may use the Ball.
 * The Ball may only be used at pre-determined events (such as CFU! meetings), and only with all three CFU! signers' previously stated permission.
 * The two 'runners' are the people in charge of the Ball's use - they may deny any particular person from riding in the Ball if they feel that that person would not be a safe rider. Riders and bystanders must listen to and follow the runners' directions. The runners determine the Ball's path ahead of each ride. They also supervise the inflation and deflation of the Ball, and are responsible for making sure the Ball is properly returned to storage. Runners also check the Ball before use and before storage to make sure there are no signs of wear, stress, or damage on seams, plastic, or harness.
 * Only ONE person is allowed in the Ball (one rider) at a time. (Though there are two harnesses, one rider is vastly safer - less possibility of collision or bodily fluid contamination, and less weight in the Ball and therefore less momentum gain.)
 * The rider must be properly harnessed before the ride begins.
 * Nothing else besides the rider can be inside the Ball (including water).
 * Riders may only ride inside the Ball.

Runs. Ball runs must begin on an incline of less that 1:12 that meets a flat path of at least 100 feet. There must be no obstructions (trees, buildings, fences, etc.) or roads within 50 feet of the end of the run. (Proposed ball run: The incline from the campus ring road into the Soccer/Frisbee field.) No ramps, jumps, sharp curves, or other alterations to the run that may destabilize the Ball are allowed. The Ball may not be used on water (it is not constructed for this purpose!). '''Bystanders. '''All bystanders (anyone besides the ball runners and the rider) must stay in a pre-decided area at least 20 feet away from any part of the run. Inflation. Inflation takes about 30 minutes. Only use the electric pump for 5-minute periods, then let it rest for 5 minutes so that it doesn't overheat. Hand-pumping (with a raft pump) in-between can make the process go faster. WIND factor. The Ball may only be operated in low-to-none wind conditions. If the wind picks up in the middle of an event, the runners will cancel further rides. Reporting injuries. In the event of an accident or injury, call Public Safety to send Emergency Medical Technicians. If the rider is injured, do not remove him or her from the ball. Wait for qualified medical personnel to arrive. The CFU! signers will submit a copy of a written Accident Report to the Community Leadership and Activities office following any incident, detailing the cause of the accident or injury and steps that will be taken to prevent such an incident occurring again.

(Unofficial: Anyone who vomits inside the Ball must clean it up him or herself. It definitely must be cleaned up, and with non-bleach anti-bacterial cleaners!)