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Vortex - Swing Out Ride

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WOW! Thrill-seekers only may read past this point. If you're faint of heart, this is most certainly not a ride for you!

This is a huge ride, a ride like no other. It's a fully-fledged fairground classic. You knew you were looking for a funfair ride to hire, but did you ever anticipate being able to hire something as impressive as this?

The Vortex is a huge funfair ride that is only suitable for outdoor use. It will tower above all of the other rides and attractions at your event, so it's a great focal point and will sure to stand out from the crowd. Although you might expect to see the Vortex ride at only the biggest events, we're happy to provide it for all occasions, including small private parties such as weddings.

Hiring the Vortex funfair ride will mean the memories of your event live on for years to come. Whatever event that may be, whether it's a school or church event or a sports club family fun day, no-one will ever forget the day you brought the Vortex to town. Thanks to our nationwide coverage, it doesn't matter if you're in Aberdeen, Penzance, London, Manchester, Glasgow or anywhere else in the UK - we're ready to provide you with top-notch white-knuckle funfair entertainment at an affordable price.

The Vortex has a lot of other names - you might have heard it also called the Swing-Out ride.

Vortex Thrill Ride Hire

Adrenaline enthusiasts will be dashing for the queue to this ride from the moment they enter your event. It's everything they've wanted from a ride and you're providing it for them – fairground ride hire simply doesn't get much bigger and bolder than this!

To take the step to greatness and book the Vortex, simply get in touch with us using the options below. We'll then prepare the Vortex ride for your event, deliver the ride according to your schedule, build it, supervise how it's used, take it down when the party is over, and remove it from your site at your convenience. As soon as you make a funfair hire booking, everything will be in our capable hands.

Risk assessments and insurance documentation is available on request. All of our staff are fully-trained in the safe operation of our rides and are happy to answer any questions you might have.

If there's anything else you'd like to know about hiring the Vortex, simply give us a call. We'd love to hear from you and are happy to tell you whatever you'd like to know about this incredible ride.

Price: From £2,950

Suitable
Indoors on Hard Surface
Outdoors on Grass
Outdoors on Hard Surface

Make your order with We Are Tricycle today!

click here to hire funfair rides, fairground games and event entertainment

Office London: 0203 302 4757

Office Birmingham: 0121 293 1377

Email: info@wearetricycle.co.uk

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Vortex Ride: How It Works | UK-wide Hire

How Our Vortex Ride Works

Vortex is a modern swing ride that blends rapid rotation with a strong pendulum motion. Riders sit in circular, inward-facing seats while the main arm lifts and swings, and the gondolas rotate in the opposite direction. The result is quick changes in direction, moments of lightness and sustained G-forces that feel smooth and controlled.

The motion at a glance

A two-axis experience: the arm swings like a pendulum while the gondolas counter-rotate. Sensors track angle, height and speed so the control system can blend both motions safely.

Max apex height Up to ~20 metres
Ride type Pendulum with rotating gondolas
Seat layout Inward-facing circular seats with over-shoulder restraints
Experience profile Mix of airtime, positive G and lateral rotation
Monitoring Angle, speed and position sensors linked to central PLC
 [ Counterweight ] ↑ apex
 ¦
 ¦ ? gondola rotation
 ----------+---------- ? ? ?
 ¦\
 ¦ \ ← swing arc (pendulum)
 ¦ \
 [AXLE + DRIVE]

Core anatomy

  • Axle and tower house the main bearings and the lift/drive assemblies.
  • Primary arm raises to an operating angle then swings through a wide arc.
  • Gondola hub carries circular, inward-facing seats with individual restraints.
  • Counterweight is fitted on some models to balance the arm and smooth motion.
  • Control cabinet contains the PLC, drives, safety relays and HMI interface.

What the ride is doing

  1. Lift and arm angle The central arm is raised to an incline for optimal swing energy.
  2. Pendulum swing Drive motors push and recover energy, growing the arc smoothly.
  3. Counter-rotation The gondolas rotate in the opposite direction to the swing, creating complex forces without harsh transitions.
  4. Peak moments Near the top of the arc riders feel brief airtime as speed vectors change.
  5. Controlled decel Drives and brakes bring both axes back to neutral in a set sequence.

Why it feels intense yet smooth

The blend of swinging and spinning produces alternating positive G at the bottom of the arc and lightness near the peaks. Because the gondolas rotate, lateral forces are spread around the circle rather than hitting from one side. The arm’s long radius and the precise speed control keep the sensation strong without jolts.

Sensing and control

  • Angle encoders report the arm position and gondola rotation to millisecond precision.
  • Speed sensors confirm commanded vs actual speeds on both axes.
  • Load and restraint checks verify locked bars and acceptable weight distribution before dispatch.
  • Programmable sequences control lift, swing growth, steady-state cycling and braking.
  • Automatic safe state triggers a controlled stop if any value goes out of range.

Part of the pendulum family

Vortex belongs to the wider family of pendulum rides that use a fixed axle and a swinging arm. Many share the same core pieces: a gondola at one end, the axle at the pivot, and sometimes a counterweight beyond the pivot to balance the system. Some pendulum rides reach a full inversion, while others focus on high arcs and speed changes. A classic pirate ship is a simpler example that swings without the counter-rotation found on Vortex.

Fit, footprint and event planning

  • Compact transport footprint with rapid build and derig by our trained team.
  • Clear exclusion zones and queue lines designed into your site plan.
  • Power can be supplied on-board or integrated with site distribution after inspection.
Tip: Pair Vortex with Modern Waltzers or the Traditional Victorian Carousel to balance high-energy thrills with classic family appeal.

Bring Vortex to your event

Book Vortex as a headline thrill within our Fairground & Funfair Hire service. We deliver across the UK including West Midlands, London, Nottinghamshire, Greater Manchester and surrounding areas, with full ADIPS documentation and experienced operators.

See more Thrill & White Knuckle Funfair Rides