Heroic efforts on first pier zip-wireTHE WORLD’s first pier to shore zip-wire has finally opened at Bournemouth with superheroes Spiderman and Wonderwoman front of the queue to try it out.

For Spiderman, accustomed to making descents from the Empire State Building, this proved an exhilarating ride as he embarked from the zip-wire tower on the pier to ‘zip-surf’ the 250-metre dual zip wire some 80 feet above the sea.

The verdict: “It’s fast, furious and fun!”

In the year that marks the 200th anniversary of British Piers, Bournemouth Pier is priding itself in keeping pace with the times and “thriving”.

The directors of Openwide International Ltd, Steve Cutbush and Rory Holburn, operates the Pier on a 20-year lease from the council, and have made some dramatic changes.

The Pier Theatre which had struggled to attract audiences in recent years has been closed down and the shell of the building now houses an all-weather indoor climbing attraction, RockReef, which Openwide says will “both thrill and challenge with its 25 unique climbing challenges and HighLine.”

Steve Cutbush said: “We are delighted to see so many people reacting so positively to this new attraction. There is a real buzz around and it’s certainly getting people talking... bookings are going extremely well!”

Jon Weaver, head of resort marketing and events said: “This iconic pier is an incredibly important part of Bournemouth’s heritage. It is so good to see it being rejuvenated into a major tourist attraction for the town – a wonderful way for people to see Bournemouth at its best as they zip down.”