insideKENT Magazine Issue 30 - September 2014 | Page 102

DAYSOUT

THE

Southern Segway EXPERIENCE

IN RECENT YEARS, THE POPULARITY OF SEGWAY TOURS WITHIN THE UK HAS
SKYROCKETED, WITH SOUTHERN SEGWAY TOURS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE INDUSTRY.
SET IN OVER 500 ACRES OF PARKLAND, AND WITH GLORIOUS LEEDS CASTLE AS ITS
BACKDROP, IT'S NO HARD FEAT TO ENVISION JUST WHY THIS KENTISH DAYTIME
EXPERIENCE IS SO HIGHLY COMMENDED. by Gemma Dunn

The Segway Personal Transporter (PT) is a
battery-powered electric vehicle invented by
American entrepreneur, Dean Kamen. The twowheeled, self-balancing device is produced by
Segway Inc, New Hampshire, USA.
A by-product of Kamen's balancing technology,
the Segway received a mixed response prior to
its unveiling on Good Morning America on the
3rd December 2001 in Bryant Park, New York –
yet today, its status is phenomenal. Worldwide,
the famed Segway is now employed for a number
of uses, from guided city tours and experience
days to forest adventures and police patrol.
However, when it comes to its PT intention, many
countries regulate Segway use in public places
due to insurance and license purposes. This is
the same story in Britain, whereby Segways
cannot be ridden legally on public roads or
pavements.
In terms of the UK, it was managing director,
Nick Thurston, who first made the Segway's
presence known following the set up of his
company, Southern Segway, in early 2007.
Thurston was so taken after witnessing a rider
using the device at Orlando Airport during his
2006 family holiday, that he soon made it his
mission to seek out the vehicle upon his return
to the UK. Eventually, a lone distributor informed
him of an imminent Segway sale within the UK
— and better still, the buyer had agreed to let
him have a go. One go was all it took; two
Segways were ordered and an innovative
business plan drawn up.

In the two years that followed, Thurston's Kentbased business was run on a part-time basis;
however, with demand comes expansion, and
in 2008, exciting negotiations began with Leeds
Castle. Southern Segway opened for its first tours
in April 2009, and four years on it remains the
pioneer of the UK Segway experience.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Segway, be
assured that it is incredibly easy to learn to ride
and takes just a few minutes to master. Experts
in the field, Southern Segway's team operates
with a wealth of experience, and while in keeping
with the strict guidelines and safety procedures
laid down by the manufacturer, it recognises it
is all about hav