How To Coach Someone Onto Thrill Rides

By JeniLynn Knopp

It happens to me regularly. I am at a theme park with my kid or a friend who is on the timid side. As we stand in front of a thrill ride, I am anticipating an incredible adrenaline rush when I am told, "There is no way. I will not go on that!"

There is no fail-proof formula, but over the years I have found a few coaching techniques that I use with thrill-phobic personalities. With them I have coaxed quite a few of the most stubborn people in my life onto attractions they never imagined they would test. In some cases, I've discovered that the once reluctant thrill-seeker seeks out more thrills afterwards.

THE PREP PEP TALK

There is a lot that can be covered in a Prep Pep Talk. I usually start by abating any fears concerning the ride. I emphasize the safety of it by pointing out secured tracks, massive harnesses, and countless survivors that exit the ride every couple minutes. I also emphasize the brevity of the ride, for it seems that most folks picture themselves in an endless state of panic and peril. The truth is these rides rarely last more than a couple of minutes. I always point that out because enduring something unpleasant for 2 minutes feels manageable. Whereas, the idea of being kept in eternal torment is paralyzing. Putting things in perspective this way tends to ease their anxiety and allow me to move on to "Phase 2" of the Prep Pep Talk.

After I have extolled the virtues of the attraction's safety, I then begin to build the confidence of my potential ride partner. Assurance that they will not be alone is a big point to push. Most people respond well when I verbally affirm I will be right next to them the entire time. It's understandable for someone confronting a fear to need a little "hand-holding," and I am always happy to provide it. I tell them that I know they are brave enough to do this. I remind them of the bragging rights they will have afterwards and of all the people that will be proud of their accomplishment.

One thing I don't do is focus on the attraction being fun because my ride buddy can't comprehend it in those terms. They feel it is a mental and emotional challenge, and I almost always concede that it is. The reason for doing this is to avoid invalidating my ride buddy's feelings. Not only is it insensitive but it also is counter-productive in most cases. If the person senses that I don't understand how they feel, we have a disconnect (and, consequently, a lack of trust). There is no way that I will ever be able to coax that individual onto a ride if they do not trust me. So stay clear of statements like, "You are just being silly. There is nothing to be afraid of." Instead, couch these ideas in something more supportive such as, "Well, they call it a thrill ride for a reason; however, we can definitely do this."

PEER PRESSURE

This is not always deemed the most ethical method of persuasion since it is also a form of emotional manipulation, but it works. We all know that it is hard to stand your ground when "everybody is doing it." If everyone else is getting on the ride, many don't like the feeling of being left behind. Use this to your advantage if you are in a group that will assist you in giving your ride partner that extra little push to board.

The bright side to this is that you do not need to feel guilty about applying peer pressure in this case. Helping someone overcome a fear is far different than influencing someone to engage in destructive behavior. In this scenario, it is a positive pressure which can encourage personal growth.

BRIBERY OR A TRADE-OFF

This is not the first tactic to pull-out, but it definitely needs to be in your arsenal of approaches to the thrill-ride phobic. Most people are willing to do things they wouldn't normally do when they feel they will receive something worthwhile in return. If there is an item or tangible reward that can provide that last little incentive, offer it.

In kind, sometimes a trade-off is in order. Instead of a bribery, this type of offer can provide even more motivation from time to time. After all, most of us agree that making a sacrifice is less difficult when we feel that others are making them as well. Therefore, throw yourself on the altar with your version of Let's Make A Deal. Tell the person that you are willing to accept a challenge they present if they are willing to accept yours.

START SMALL AND SHORT

The mistake can sometimes be made to have a timid rider take on the biggest thrill first. This way, when they are through, you can say, "Well now that you did THAT, you can do all the rest because it will be easier." What is not taken into account is that there is a significant chance that the rider will have been so paralyzed by the shock of going from "mild" to "extremely wild" that they will no longer trust your guidance nor risk boarding another thrill ride again.

It is best to pick the happy medium of "mildly wild" as a starting block. With this, a moderate rush of adrenaline can be experienced, a conquest can be claimed, a sense of confidence can take hold, and the possibility of accepting another challenge remains. Slow and steady wins the race in terms of extremity. It does not win the race in terms of queue length, however. Another thing to consider is the length of time spent waiting. Once your ride partner has agreed to concede, it is of some importance to pick an attraction with a short wait time. The reason is obvious. The longer you wait, the more time your buddy has to reconsider the decision. You don't want this to be the sword you fall upon, so pick an attraction that will allow you to board before anyone can change their mind.

HOLD YOUR BREATH

This tip is key, and I ALWAYS emphasize this. The anxious and slightly nauseous feeling that we feel when being dropped, cork-screwed, looped, or hurled at extreme speeds is lessened when a person holds their breath. I don't know the exact reason for this. Maybe it is due to focus being directed on something other than the extreme experience or due to some scientific and biological explanation. The truth is I have no clue. All I know is that it helps.

It's quite common for me to explain that the drop of a roller coaster is over within 3 seconds. Therefore, I encourage the person to hold their breath for those 3 seconds and then be confident that the remainder of the coaster is just speed and twists which are far less scary. This logic is usually successful for me in coaching a person onto a thrill ride. It is, once again, the idea of breaking the ride down into manageable pieces rather than allowing the totality of it to intimidate. Just be sure that the person doesn't attempt to hold their breath for entirety of the ride. Passing out on the ride is not the goal.

KEEP TALKING

This is another technique that is often helpful. Talk, talk, talk, and then talk some more. Talk to your buddy in the queue. Talk to them boarding the ride, and when possible talk them through the ride. If your buddy has to focus on your conversation, they can't focus as much on what they are experiencing. It is why dentists insist on monologuing when you are having a cavity drilled. It is also why people tell you to shush during movies. The talk provides distraction, and when a person is distracted, the thrill won't be as intense.

When I am in a queue, I try to keep the topic of conversation on something other than the attraction. Once we are strapped into the attraction, though, the conversation is of nothing else. I usually give a verbal commentary during the ride. "After we reach the peak of this incline, you will want to hold your breath." "We have a sharp turn up ahead." "The roughest part is over, you got that out of the way." "Oh! Look over there at the cute animatronic!" When I am constantly demanding their attention by speaking to them, my thrill-challenged buddy feels as if the time passes more quickly. They are often surprised when the ride is actually over.

There is one caveat to this tip. On occasion, excessive talking will produce more anxiety in your potential ride partner. There is the infrequent individual who needs to internally focus in order to remain calm. Try to be intuitive and sense when it is time to shut your trap.

CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENT

It is all about positive reinforcement. Once the goal has been accomplished, one of the biggest mistakes to be made is for the conquest to be checked off the list and forgotten. Riding a thrill ride is a significant fear for some. When that fear is faced and overcome, it is cause for celebration, so lavish praise. Present rewards. Draw attention to the accomplishment. It may be as simple as a round of LeFou's Brew and a toast. Just be sure to acknowledge and celebrate in some capacity. You may be surprised at how far this particular step can carry your previously thrill-phobic buddy right onto the next thrill challenge.