Experience Based Learning
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Steve Gustafson |
| Headquarters | Rockford, Illinois, USA |
Key people | Steve Gustafson, President & CEO |
| Products | Zip-line tours and installation |
| Website | www |
Experience Based Learning, also known as EBL, is an Illinois-based Zip-line tour and installation company founded in 1993 by Steven Gustafson.[1] Gustafson served on the board of directors for the standards developer for zip-lines, the Professional Ropes Course Association, as its president until 2015.[2][3]
History
[edit]EBL was founded in 1993 by owner Steve Gustafson. He obtained his degrees in Recreation, Parks and Tourism and Geology from Western Illinois University.[4] Gustafson has been participating, operating and building ropes challenge course, zip-lines and zip-line courses since 1986. He is considered by some to be the founder of the modern day zipline.[5] EBL installed the first commercially promoted zip line tour with cables in the United States, alongside the client installing their own platforms, and has erected numerous courses since. The first went up in 2002 in Hawai'i.[6] Part of the concept for the touring originated in Costa Rica, as an Ecotourism adventure.[7]
Operations
[edit]EBL has installed zip-line courses at numerous locations throughout the US and also has installations in South Korea and Canada.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In 2014 EBL opened a zip-line in its founder's home town of Rockford, Illinois.[20] EBL, along with other zipline operators, has called for stricter self-policing in the light of numerous deaths from other zip-line courses.[21][22]
References
[edit]- ^ "EBL.org - The Nation's Premier Zip Line Installer - Professional Canopy Zip Line Tour Designer, Builder, and Operator". www.ebl.org. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ "PRCA Leadership".
- ^ Mummert, Roger (16 October 2008). "Zipping Through the Treetops" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Zip Chicagoâ"¢ > About EBL". www.zipchicago.com.
- ^ Phillips, Bryce (31 March 2016). "A Thrilling Good Time: Off the Grid Mountain Adventures set to open Monday". www.elizabethton.com.
- ^ "Zip line tours a fast growing outdoor sport". www.knoxvilledailysun.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ Bevil, Dewayne. "Central Florida's Zipline Safari takes riders atop the trees". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ "New England's Most Thrilling Zip Line Tour is Now Open". www.businesswire.com. 3 September 2009.
- ^ "New England's Most Thrilling Zip Line Tour is Now Open. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com.
- ^ Vela, Susan. "Slice: Steve Gustafson off to a zipping good start in hometown Rockford". Rockford Register Star.
- ^ "Zip-line could draw thousands to Marseilles | The Times". www.mywebtimes.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-30.
- ^ Lewis, Kim (16 July 2017). "Zip Boise, Zip Line Adventure. Get Ready to Launch!". Our Travel Moments.
- ^ "Zip McCall Adventures Prepares to Open in May". 19 February 2018.
- ^ "World Botanical Gardens & Waterfalls". Hawaii News and Island Information.
- ^ Bevil, Dewayne. "Zipline over the wetlands at new Osceola attraction". Orlando Sun Sentinel.
- ^ Wheatley, Lois Carol. "Adventure company offering some high-flying, zip line fun near Boone". The Independent Tribune.
- ^ "Elizabethton park features one of nation's longest zip lines". timesfreepress.com.
- ^ "Ziplines offer a flight through the treetops". charlotteobserver.
- ^ Sewell, Kristina. "Taking the plunge - Sports Lead - Santa Maria Sun, CA". www.santamariasun.com.
- ^ Taft, Jay. "Slice: Steve Gustafson brings ziplining fun to Rockford". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ Dineen, Caitlin. "Ropes-course industry leaders want stricter self-policing". OrlandoSentinel.com.
- ^ "Safety concerns rise with zipline popularity". ABC News. 20 June 2008.