My boyfriend owns this ride, and it has been very successful, everyone lines up to ride this, so called very dangerous ride, the only danger is for the person working it, if you don’t follow the rules on how to run this ride the person who runs the ride is the only one in danger, children and ADULTS line up to ride this ride, I have been reading of people at large amusements parks getting hurt or killed on so called very safe rides, thank you carla snipes
I could so ride that thing for hours especally if I had another person with me to get it to a high speed I remember when I rode in that thing with my dad and his friend making it go insanely fast. looking at the size of the cage looks like it would only fit me but I’m ok with that just to ride it again would bring me much joy.
Sam Becker and I got one of these going like mad several times through the turnstile on the Midway at the Indiana State Fair. This had to be in the very early 1970s. I ran into one later at German Park’s Octoberfest in the 1980s, and Tim Altom and I could not get it over the top. The reason for this is that the operator had 4 of them going that night, but this one was sort of out of balance and the hardest to get going. He was being a real jerk and wouldn’t let us on the one that would actually go over. I did not have the presence of mind at the time to tip him. I haven’t seen one since. How I loved the Swingin’ Gym.
I worked for Carousel Amusements, a small 30 miler outfit in South Jersey in the 70’s, into the 80’s. We had Swinging Gyms, played on them before and after work. With a little practice, you could really make them move. They were fun, but dangerous. I saw many injuries, to people both in and outside of the cages. Broken bones inside the cages, on man wandered inside the fence drunk one night and the corner of the cage caught his shoulder on a downswing, almost ripped his arm off. Could have been much worse I imagine. A dog ran under and was crushed one night, I am grateful that I was not present for that. The state sent inspectors out one year, and had metal stress tests done on them, I heard they all failed and were outlawed….and so ours were scrapped. (or so we were told, Pop could have sold them out of state over the winter, who knows).
I ran one of these during a summer (1971 or 1972) traveling with Great American Shows owned by Rocky Dell. It was my favorite ride and I never saw anyone get hurt. The races we had from a standing start were very exhausting but I would love to give it a go one more time.
This was my absolute favorite ride as a kid! My brother and I would ride it endlessly. I don’t recall ever being hurt and I don’t recall anything about anyone else ever being hurt. Where can I get the statistics? Do they still have these around if someone wanted to have one? Thanks.
My boyfriend owns this ride, and it has been very successful, everyone lines up to ride this, so called very dangerous ride, the only danger is for the person working it, if you don’t follow the rules on how to run this ride the person who runs the ride is the only one in danger, children and ADULTS line up to ride this ride, I have been reading of people at large amusements parks getting hurt or killed on so called very safe rides, thank you carla snipes
carla snipes - June 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 am e
do you still have this ride?
Gary Durbin - July 25th, 2009 at 11:46 am e
I could so ride that thing for hours especally if I had another person with me to get it to a high speed I remember when I rode in that thing with my dad and his friend making it go insanely fast. looking at the size of the cage looks like it would only fit me but I’m ok with that just to ride it again would bring me much joy.
Matt Owens - February 28th, 2010 at 9:17 am e
Sam Becker and I got one of these going like mad several times through the turnstile on the Midway at the Indiana State Fair. This had to be in the very early 1970s. I ran into one later at German Park’s Octoberfest in the 1980s, and Tim Altom and I could not get it over the top. The reason for this is that the operator had 4 of them going that night, but this one was sort of out of balance and the hardest to get going. He was being a real jerk and wouldn’t let us on the one that would actually go over. I did not have the presence of mind at the time to tip him. I haven’t seen one since. How I loved the Swingin’ Gym.
Keith Palmer - August 30th, 2010 at 2:35 pm e
I worked for Carousel Amusements, a small 30 miler outfit in South Jersey in the 70’s, into the 80’s. We had Swinging Gyms, played on them before and after work. With a little practice, you could really make them move. They were fun, but dangerous. I saw many injuries, to people both in and outside of the cages. Broken bones inside the cages, on man wandered inside the fence drunk one night and the corner of the cage caught his shoulder on a downswing, almost ripped his arm off. Could have been much worse I imagine. A dog ran under and was crushed one night, I am grateful that I was not present for that. The state sent inspectors out one year, and had metal stress tests done on them, I heard they all failed and were outlawed….and so ours were scrapped. (or so we were told, Pop could have sold them out of state over the winter, who knows).
Penni - October 1st, 2010 at 1:10 pm e
I remember this ride well. It almost killed me. There isn’t much room between the bottom of the cage and the platform underneath it.
John Cook - April 29th, 2011 at 9:14 am e
I ran one of these during a summer (1971 or 1972) traveling with Great American Shows owned by Rocky Dell. It was my favorite ride and I never saw anyone get hurt. The races we had from a standing start were very exhausting but I would love to give it a go one more time.
Dan Henshaw - July 10th, 2011 at 11:00 am e
This was my absolute favorite ride as a kid! My brother and I would ride it endlessly. I don’t recall ever being hurt and I don’t recall anything about anyone else ever being hurt. Where can I get the statistics? Do they still have these around if someone wanted to have one? Thanks.
Kathie - August 29th, 2011 at 7:24 am e
do you know where I can buy the same unit?
I love that ride
thanks Tom
Tom O'Rourke - November 24th, 2011 at 9:14 am e