Gold Coast local rides DC Hypercoaster at Movie World 909 times, wants to get to 1000

WHILE most people are satisfied with trying out the largest hypercoaster in the southern hemisphere just one, maybe twice, this local is keen to set a new record.

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 909times 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.

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RIDE THE DC HYPERCOASTER

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.

Leonard Hebert (front) has ridden the DC Rivals hypercoaster 909 times. But he’s aiming for 1000 times. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I had nothing else to do, so thought, just do it,” he said.

So nearly every single day, the coaster-fanatic devotes up to six hours a day to his unusual hobby, happily driving the 20 minutes from his home to the theme park before heading to work later in the day.

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He said had visited so often that he was on friendly terms with the staff and that tourists visiting the park on seven-day passes recognised him.

“Kids sometimes try and 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.

Leonard Hebert (front right) with Albert Calderara who has ridden it more than 400 times. Photo by Richard Gosling

Screaming good fun. Photo by Richard Gosling

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.

HYPERCOASTER RAISES THE BAR FOR ALL THEME PARKS

Leonard Hebert still enjoys the hypercoaster, even if it’s the 900th time. Photo by Richard Gosling

Village Roadshow Theme Parks Chief Operating Officer, Bikash Randhawa said there had been a great repsonse to the hypercoaster since it opened late last year.

“It is an incredible accomplishment for this guest to have ridden the coaster the amount of times he had, but given how much fun the ride is we can’t blame him,” he said.

“We anticipate there will be a wave of guests now wanting to break this record and we look forward to welcoming them to the park.”