STEP 1: CREATING AN ACCOUNT FOR OWNERSHIP PURPOSES

Before you can buy a balloon, you need to create an account here otherwise we do not know who has ownership of a particular balloon. Balloons costs just £3 and you can buy as many balloons as you want. All proceeds from this activity will be donated to the projects supported by PKD.

STEP 2: ENHANCE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING

Once you’ve bought balloons you can link to your own dashboard where you can ‘customise’ each balloon by changing various parameters of the balloon size, shape and composition to enhance your chances of winning. Reflecting real life, virtual balloons just like latex ones, can pop if the balloon parameters are not suited to the weather. For example, maximising helium content in stormy weather is not advised, so looking at the predicted weather for your race period prior to customisation helps your chances of winning.

STEP 3: HAVE FUN DECORATING YOUR BALLOON

Decorate your balloon with all sorts of colours, patterns and text. Remember that you can return to your dashboard and change elements of your balloon or redecorate as often as you like right up to a race launch time and date.

STEP 4: LAUNCH AND FLIGHT INFORMATION

Once the balloons are virtually launched (see launch sequence on race homepage), they are subject to a simulated flight pattern based on the actual weather conditions such as the prevailing wind speed and current temperature. This simulation uses an advanced computer modelling programme linked to Google maps and a commercial weather data supplier, Aeris. By clicking on ‘balloons’ on the race homepage, you will see the leading 100 balloons listed. The information shows straight line distance travelled in kilometres from the launch point, plus the balloon’s latitude and longitude.

STEP 5: WINNERS AND PRIZES

The races lasts 7 days and the winning balloon will have flown the furthest in a straight line from the launch location. Interestingly, a popped / burst balloon can still win if the wind direction changes and sends the still-flying balloons backwards in a reverse direction. The winner will be emailed with confirmation that they have won the race and with details of how to contact the organiser to arrange receiving their prize. To further comply with Gambling Commission rules, the winner will be asked a difficult question not readily ‘Googled’.