LEONARD HOOKED ON LIFE’S UP AND DOWNS
MOST people ride the largest rollercoaster in the southern hemisphere just once.
Not Leonard Hebert, who has made it his mission to ride Movie World’s DC Hypercoaster at least 1000 times – within two months.
Mr Hebert has now ridden the rollercoaster 909 times and he has just one week left to hit his target.
The hypercoaster raches speeds up to 115km/h and is 1.4km long and 61.6m high.
The Sorrento local first decided to take out a season pass to the theme park on April 15 when he couldn’t think of anything better to do with his free time.
“I had nothing else to do, so thought, just do it,” the 34year-old said.
So nearly every day, the rollercoaster fanatic devotes up to six hours to his unusual hobby, happily driving the 20 minutes from his home to the theme park before heading to work later in the day.
He said had visited so often he was on friendly terms with staff and tourists visiting the park on sevenday passes recognised him.
“Kids sometimes try to get a seat next to me,” he said.
On quiet days, Mr Hebert said he could ride the hypercoaster up to 40 times, while busier days meant he could only squeeze in about 13 rides.
He has also ridden the hypercoaster backwards more than 100 times at $10 a pop.
Mr Hebert said his interest in the rollercoaster stemmed from his experience building and operating rides at exhibitions and shows for two or three years across Australia, including the Ekka and on Philip Island.