News: Magic Mountain hosts free class for coaster phobics

Posted at 4:04 AM EDT (0804 GMT)

May. 16th, 2006 -- In conjunction with Tatsu's grand opening, Six Flags Magic Mountain hosted a free class that allowed individuals to conquer their fear of riding roller coasters.

The park turned to Linda Bortell to facilitate an experimental three-week course held over consecutive Saturdays.  Bortell is a peppy clinical psychologist whose expertise spans all topics, including the effects of "thrills and terror."

"If you ride coasters enough, you learn that there are different types of screams," Bortell said, as the group walked into the park. "There is the 'I'm here with my cute boyfriend and I'm screaming so I can hang onto him,' and then there are screams of fun, and some screams of fear. My husband starts screaming the second the coaster leaves the loading dock. He says it's part of the experience."

In the initial meeting, she asked that all participants go around the room, say their name and explain their exact fears.

"Hi, my name is Marianne, and I am scared of roller coasters," said Marianne Roberts, a mother of three in her 40s, without a hint of irony. "I think the thing that scares me most is the big drop. The big, long, straight drop."

"I guess my fear is not so much flying or roller coasters, it more stems from not having control of my situation," said Fletcher Pickett. "I realize the physics are going to work; it's more putting other people in complete control of what's going on."

Visit the Los Angeles Times for the complete article and video clip.

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