Limitless is an adventure centre in Northern Ireland. The available activities are football golf, archery, laser tag, laser clay pigeon shooting, hovercrafting and powerturn buggies. We tried the hovercrafts and powerturn buggies.
We arrived at Limitless adventure center and made our way to reception where we filled out disclaimers and received our wristbands before being directed to a tractor trailer. We boarded the trailer and were pulled across the fields by the tractor to a wooden building.
We were kitted out with helmets before making our way to the first activity – hovercrafting. I was really excited to try this as it is something I have never had the opportunity to do before.
First we were shown how to sit in the hovercraft and steer it and then we got a turn each in the practice area. To drive a hovercraft you have to kneel up and throw your body weight from side to side to steer so you need to be quite physically able.
Once we mastered driving and steering we were taken to the first track. The track had twists and turns as well as muddy dips. I really enjoyed this once I got the hang of it and after a few turns I was directed to the large track.
We were kept moving so there wasn’t much waiting around. As soon as one person finished their turn, they were directed to the next track whilst the person before them did the previous track .
The final track was much longer than the others and it was super fun. The idea was to go as fast as you could and get the best time but there was the addition of a hairpin bend which is what let me down! I couldn’t get my hovercraft to go round the tight bend and ended up drifting across the long grass every time I tried. This amused me but slowed me down immensely as it meant I had to jump out and physically pull the hovercraft back onto the track! The other fun thing about this final track was the addition of water. As I drove super fast towards a dip in the track with a large amount of water I imagined myself getting soaked. I was really surprised to just glide over the top of it instead.
When we were all done on the hovercrafts we were taken over to the powerturn buggies. This was my absolute favourite activity.
A little like the hovercrafts, there was the opportunity to have a go on the practice track first before trying to get a good time on the main track.
The powerturn buggies have 2 seats so one person can drive and one ride next to them to practice. The driver then moved onto the main track whilst the passenger moved into the driving seat and a new passenger got in. The practice track was an open area of mud where you could get the hang of the steering and practice corners.
Powerturn buggies are controlled by two gear sticks either side of your lap. When you push both forward you move and when you pull both back you break. If you push just the right one forward you turn left and if you push the left one forward you turn right. It was a little confusing at first but once I got the hang of it on the practice track it was easier. You can also make powerturn buggies do wheelies by pulling your knees into your chest and accelerating. I didn’t manage this on the practice track but accidently managed it on the main track!
The main track is a series of straights, turns and bumps with tyres round the edge of the bends. I absolutely loved this and literally didn’t stop laughing all the way round as I was thrown around, accidently flew over tyres and it turns out forgot to break at any point! I would have smashed the all time best time had I not crashed on the last corner, mounted a bank and done a wheelie but that experience was worth the drop in 2 seconds and I still equaled the day’s best time.
Despite the bumpy and slightly crazy ride, the power-turn buggies felt really safe with seat harnesses and roll bars. I did have a few bruises the next day but I didn’t notice hurting myself at the time. You could also take it a lot easier than I did. The youngest in our party took the track very cautiously.
After we had all finished on the powerturn buggies, we returned our helmets to the shed and got back on the trailer to be towed by the tractor back to reception.
Hovercrafts and PowerTurn Buggies at Limitless Adventure Center with an autistic child?
To drive hovercrafts and powerturn buggies you need to be 13. There are other activities on site for younger guests.
You can take part with your child and stay with them throughout the experience.
There are no toilets other than at reception.
The hovercrafts are single seat and the main track is large – you cant see all of it from the viewing area. There are no seatbelts in the hovercrafts due to needing to throw yourself from side to side. If you come off the track you may need to get out and physically move the hovercraft back onto the track.
Two of our party decided to spend longer on the hovercraft’s shorter practice track and not do the main track, this wasn’t a problem.
You need to wear a helmet at all times.
There is a need to be able to listen to and follow safety instructions.
The hovercrafts and powerturn buggies are very loud. Due to having to wear a helmet, ear defenders wouldn’t be an option.
You can stop at any time but need to wait for the tractor to get back to reception.
Tracks do not have barriers so if your child is likely to wander onto the track you would need to be vigilant.
You can ride next to your child on the practice area for the powerturn buggies.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you would like to read more then feel free to follow my blog or like my Facebook page which I keep up to date with new posts as they are written. You can also find me on Instagram, Twitter @KidsOnTour1 and now on Youtube – subscribe to my channel for upcoming videos!
One thought on “Hovercrafting and Powerturn buggies at Limitless Adventure Center, Northern Ireland”