Ten years ago Steve Le and other high school friends knew they were on to something great when they decided to combine their love of martial arts with the then-growing trend of extreme sports.
From that, the Aurora boys created Team Highflyerz, which promotes a unique blend of martial-art technique with aerial acrobatics. No coach or official dojo needed, the six-member groups usually takes what members already know and adds some flair by turning each demonstration into a performance.
"We are each others' coaches," Le said. "We do it for the fun and passion of it."
The group performed for several people Saturday at the University of Northern Colorado's annual Asian Festival, which drew more than 150 through out the day."We had little less people than we were expecting," said Edward Nance, a student at UNC and one of the organizers for the event. "I think it was because of the weather.
"Organizers began wrapping up the event about an hour before it was scheduled to end because of cold weather.Team Highflyerz was the last group to perform. This was their second year at the Asian Festival and the group plans to attend again next year to show off aerial tricks.
Le said what makes their style and performance so unique is that each of the members, all of who are in their early 20's, bring with them a different form of martial art techniques."We are all very close like family," Le said. "It's just fun being together and doing what we enjoy."
All of the members in the team hold black belts and travel throughout Colorado to compete in extreme sport competitions and perform demos for various events. In 2003, the group walked away with several first place awards from a competition hosted by the Colorado Karate Association.
Want to know more? For information about team Highflyerz e-mail Steve Le at teamhighflyerz@yahoo.com.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Water babies given the chance to make a splash
By BCT reporter
Gone are those days when a trip to the local pool meant a few lengths of breast stroke - for Hounslow children, things have just got a lot more adventurous.
Swimming is easily one of the most popular sports for children with girls rating it as their favourite.
So Hounslow and five other west London authorities have tapped into this enthusiasm. They have teamed up with Sport England to offer children aged 10 to 14 some aquatic activities with a difference.
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Over the next year, children will have a chance to take part in one of many planned events known as Aqua Extreme, organised by the sport partnership, Pro-Active West London.
It is hoped these events will increase children's participation in water sports, open up new opportunities, and encourage them to lead more active lifestyles.
Hounslow's morning of Aqua Extreme took place at Isleworth Recreation Centre during the Easter holidays.
Under the instructor's watchful eye, 36 youngsters took turns trying out diving, mini water polo and Aquafit.
Feedback from children was really positive, with some commenting "it is great fun trying something you've never done before."
Louise Acres, CIP's Programme and Publicity Manager, said: "Aqua Extreme is all about having fun in the water. Our aim is for children to enjoy sports that they wouldn't normally get to experience and, judging by the enthusiasm I've seen, I think we certainly achieved that."
Other activities that will be offered over the next year include synchronised swimming and lifeguarding skills along with more diving and water polo opportunities during the holiday play schemes at local leisure centres, so there really will be something for everyone.
Gone are those days when a trip to the local pool meant a few lengths of breast stroke - for Hounslow children, things have just got a lot more adventurous.
Swimming is easily one of the most popular sports for children with girls rating it as their favourite.
So Hounslow and five other west London authorities have tapped into this enthusiasm. They have teamed up with Sport England to offer children aged 10 to 14 some aquatic activities with a difference.
advertisement
Over the next year, children will have a chance to take part in one of many planned events known as Aqua Extreme, organised by the sport partnership, Pro-Active West London.
It is hoped these events will increase children's participation in water sports, open up new opportunities, and encourage them to lead more active lifestyles.
Hounslow's morning of Aqua Extreme took place at Isleworth Recreation Centre during the Easter holidays.
Under the instructor's watchful eye, 36 youngsters took turns trying out diving, mini water polo and Aquafit.
Feedback from children was really positive, with some commenting "it is great fun trying something you've never done before."
Louise Acres, CIP's Programme and Publicity Manager, said: "Aqua Extreme is all about having fun in the water. Our aim is for children to enjoy sports that they wouldn't normally get to experience and, judging by the enthusiasm I've seen, I think we certainly achieved that."
Other activities that will be offered over the next year include synchronised swimming and lifeguarding skills along with more diving and water polo opportunities during the holiday play schemes at local leisure centres, so there really will be something for everyone.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
VERTICALLY CHALLENGED
Nottingham's Jamie Bestwick has found fame and fortune in America as one of the top BMX riders in the world but as James Robson discovers, his profile is not quite so high in his home town...There is little to make Jamie Bestwick stand out as he waits in one of Nottingham's numerous coffee shops.Barely meriting a second glance, customers continue to sip their drinks blissfully unaware of him.
It would hardly be the case across the other side of the Atlantic, where the 35-year-old's posters adorn the walls of thousands of fans, prepared to travel from coast to coast to watch him perform.Meanwhile he has been immortalised as an action figure and video game character.Still the customers sip their drinks.
Perhaps he'd cause more of a stir on these shores if he'd taken up the numerous requests to feature in the music videos of rock bands such as Linkin Park."All that freakin' out suits some people, but it's not for me," says Bestwick, who has been one of the top BMX riders in the world since quitting his job in aeronautical engineering in 1999 to try his luck in America.
The move certainly paid off with the Nottingham-raised rider winning major events such as the X Games and Dew Tour for action or extreme sports in that time.
Bestwick is a Vert rider, which entails performing stunts on a huge ramp and it has seen him earn major sponsorships and become a household name in the States.
He may be largely anonymous in his home country, but Google his name and there are as many as 59,000 results.Bestwick had already achieved a level of success before heading over to States, winning the World Championship while still juggling competitions with his day job.
But he finally made the decision to take it up full time in 1999, packing up his job and moving to Pennsylvania where Camp Woodward, a training facility for BMX riders, is situated.
"It was really hard," he said. "I'd not only made the decision of leaving a good job, but I had to sell the house, leave friends and family and only two weeks after I got married."I sat with my wife and we said we'd give it a year. If it didn't pan out we'd come back.
"For the first five years we were literally out in the middle of the sticks. I don't know what was going through my mind when I bought the house."It was a very quiet town, like one of these places that you see in the films where kids get lost, run into the middle of the town and end up getting murdered.
"But it was a very nice town, very quaint. Pennsylvania has got a lot of history. It's very old Colonial America. It's a beautiful place to go, the summers were fantastic and in the winter there was four feet of snow - it was like England used to be years ago. It's definitely nice, just a different way of life.
"I wouldn't necessarily have done that for a job, it was purely because I love the bike. I wanted to be the best in my sport.
"Europe has a fantastic level of riding, but at the time everyone looked at the American guys as the level to get to. They were the ones people made the fuss over."I just wanted to change that, have a guy from England, representing Europe, go out there and do incredibly well. It was a weird decision and I'd only do it for the passion of riding.
"Bestwick is ready to return now and settle down in Hucknall, but it isn't for the want of success, rather because he wants to use his profile to raise the popularity of action sports in England.Now one of the most recognisable faces in BMX, he hopes to change the public perception of sports like skateboarding and snowboarding.
Though appreciating the sexy image of extreme sports, that very name is one of his major bugbears, preferring the term action sports.
"We were labelled with the extreme tag," he said. "You see guys with tattoos and think we are just a bunch of punk kids. Certain labels get attached, but we are trying to change people's minds.
"In the past few years we've seen it taken more seriously. You can see that with snowboarding being the biggest event at the winter games."Action sports are making a move into the mainstream and it's capturing minds. There will be BMX racing at the next games and in 2012 there will be freestyle.
"With it becoming an Olympic event it's only going to get better and better.
"Bestwick wants to improve facilities in England so future riders won't be forced to make a living in the States as he was.
"There are more skate parks in England than anywhere I know," he said. "There are an unbelievable amount of places for kids to do it, but it's not highlighted enough.
"We're seeing a big shift in the popularity of the games. In the States skateboarding is one of the most popular sports along with baseball, basketball and American football.
"That should happen in England. Not everyone wants to be footballers, cricketers or rugby players."Schools have the space to provide facilities for kids who don't want to be David Beckham or Tim Henman."
It would hardly be the case across the other side of the Atlantic, where the 35-year-old's posters adorn the walls of thousands of fans, prepared to travel from coast to coast to watch him perform.Meanwhile he has been immortalised as an action figure and video game character.Still the customers sip their drinks.
Perhaps he'd cause more of a stir on these shores if he'd taken up the numerous requests to feature in the music videos of rock bands such as Linkin Park."All that freakin' out suits some people, but it's not for me," says Bestwick, who has been one of the top BMX riders in the world since quitting his job in aeronautical engineering in 1999 to try his luck in America.
The move certainly paid off with the Nottingham-raised rider winning major events such as the X Games and Dew Tour for action or extreme sports in that time.
Bestwick is a Vert rider, which entails performing stunts on a huge ramp and it has seen him earn major sponsorships and become a household name in the States.
He may be largely anonymous in his home country, but Google his name and there are as many as 59,000 results.Bestwick had already achieved a level of success before heading over to States, winning the World Championship while still juggling competitions with his day job.
But he finally made the decision to take it up full time in 1999, packing up his job and moving to Pennsylvania where Camp Woodward, a training facility for BMX riders, is situated.
"It was really hard," he said. "I'd not only made the decision of leaving a good job, but I had to sell the house, leave friends and family and only two weeks after I got married."I sat with my wife and we said we'd give it a year. If it didn't pan out we'd come back.
"For the first five years we were literally out in the middle of the sticks. I don't know what was going through my mind when I bought the house."It was a very quiet town, like one of these places that you see in the films where kids get lost, run into the middle of the town and end up getting murdered.
"But it was a very nice town, very quaint. Pennsylvania has got a lot of history. It's very old Colonial America. It's a beautiful place to go, the summers were fantastic and in the winter there was four feet of snow - it was like England used to be years ago. It's definitely nice, just a different way of life.
"I wouldn't necessarily have done that for a job, it was purely because I love the bike. I wanted to be the best in my sport.
"Europe has a fantastic level of riding, but at the time everyone looked at the American guys as the level to get to. They were the ones people made the fuss over."I just wanted to change that, have a guy from England, representing Europe, go out there and do incredibly well. It was a weird decision and I'd only do it for the passion of riding.
"Bestwick is ready to return now and settle down in Hucknall, but it isn't for the want of success, rather because he wants to use his profile to raise the popularity of action sports in England.Now one of the most recognisable faces in BMX, he hopes to change the public perception of sports like skateboarding and snowboarding.
Though appreciating the sexy image of extreme sports, that very name is one of his major bugbears, preferring the term action sports.
"We were labelled with the extreme tag," he said. "You see guys with tattoos and think we are just a bunch of punk kids. Certain labels get attached, but we are trying to change people's minds.
"In the past few years we've seen it taken more seriously. You can see that with snowboarding being the biggest event at the winter games."Action sports are making a move into the mainstream and it's capturing minds. There will be BMX racing at the next games and in 2012 there will be freestyle.
"With it becoming an Olympic event it's only going to get better and better.
"Bestwick wants to improve facilities in England so future riders won't be forced to make a living in the States as he was.
"There are more skate parks in England than anywhere I know," he said. "There are an unbelievable amount of places for kids to do it, but it's not highlighted enough.
"We're seeing a big shift in the popularity of the games. In the States skateboarding is one of the most popular sports along with baseball, basketball and American football.
"That should happen in England. Not everyone wants to be footballers, cricketers or rugby players."Schools have the space to provide facilities for kids who don't want to be David Beckham or Tim Henman."
Friday, April 20, 2007
Star skier or madman
By Arthur Stanley
IT'S the cliff jump that has shocked international skiing and sparked debate on whether extreme sports athletes have gone too far.
In arguably the most extraordinary risk-taking feat carried out for a sports action film, US extreme skier Jamie Pierre has soared off a 78m cliff in Wyoming, US – landed on his head – and lived to tell the tale.
Pierre's jump – the equivalent of stepping off a 24-storey office block – earned him a world record, strengthened his faith in God but didn't impress his wife Amee, who was at home with their baby daughter.
Pierre is on his way to Australia to promote this year's Warren Miller snowsports film, Off The Grid, which features his daredevil jump.
But he admits he has been under pressure from community groups who believe his jump has set a bad example to the thousands of youngsters who look up to extreme sports athletes.
Pierre, 34, didn't wear a helmet, lost his mouth guard in mid-air and was probably saved from injury by his unplanned head-first entry into 5m of fresh snow at the base of the cliff.
He admits such jumps are not without peril and warns young Australian skiers who watch Off The Grid not to attempt to mimic his "huck".
"Big jumps are not something recreational skiers should ever try," Pierre said.
"I have been a pro skier for 10 years and had been assessing conditions at this cliff for many years before deciding I could pull it off.
"But even then I was lucky. I didn't plan to land on my head, rather a slouch position. If I had landed on my skis from that height, the impact on my chest and face could have been disastrous."
About 35m into his jump, Pierre could not keep his skis under him and went upside down. He landed head first and was buried 2m in the snow.
A photographer rushed in and dug him free.
"I pretty much walked away from it with just a cut lip," Pierre said.
SKIER Jamie Pierre is featured in SNOW07 magazine, out in The Daily Telegraph on May 22. Off The Grid starts in Sydney and Canberra on May 31. Book through Warren Miller
IT'S the cliff jump that has shocked international skiing and sparked debate on whether extreme sports athletes have gone too far.
In arguably the most extraordinary risk-taking feat carried out for a sports action film, US extreme skier Jamie Pierre has soared off a 78m cliff in Wyoming, US – landed on his head – and lived to tell the tale.
Pierre's jump – the equivalent of stepping off a 24-storey office block – earned him a world record, strengthened his faith in God but didn't impress his wife Amee, who was at home with their baby daughter.
Pierre is on his way to Australia to promote this year's Warren Miller snowsports film, Off The Grid, which features his daredevil jump.
But he admits he has been under pressure from community groups who believe his jump has set a bad example to the thousands of youngsters who look up to extreme sports athletes.
Pierre, 34, didn't wear a helmet, lost his mouth guard in mid-air and was probably saved from injury by his unplanned head-first entry into 5m of fresh snow at the base of the cliff.
He admits such jumps are not without peril and warns young Australian skiers who watch Off The Grid not to attempt to mimic his "huck".
"Big jumps are not something recreational skiers should ever try," Pierre said.
"I have been a pro skier for 10 years and had been assessing conditions at this cliff for many years before deciding I could pull it off.
"But even then I was lucky. I didn't plan to land on my head, rather a slouch position. If I had landed on my skis from that height, the impact on my chest and face could have been disastrous."
About 35m into his jump, Pierre could not keep his skis under him and went upside down. He landed head first and was buried 2m in the snow.
A photographer rushed in and dug him free.
"I pretty much walked away from it with just a cut lip," Pierre said.
SKIER Jamie Pierre is featured in SNOW07 magazine, out in The Daily Telegraph on May 22. Off The Grid starts in Sydney and Canberra on May 31. Book through Warren Miller
Monday, April 16, 2007
Chicago Olympic bid: What’s at stake for Rockford?
Local officials say a Chicago Olympics’ effect on the area would be felt for years.
By Mike DeDoncker
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
ROCKFORD — Local officials are confident the world couldn’t come to Chicago for an Olympic Games without benefitting Rockford.A first step in whether that opportunity arrives is expected to be announced today when the U.S. Olympic Committee chooses to support either Chicago or Los Angeles in a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
The intent of the early selection is to give the United States choice a leg up in preparing its case for 2009, when the International Olympic Committee makes the final decision on the host city.“It would be absolutely beyond people’s wildest dreams,” Chicago/Rockford International Airport Executive Director Bob O’Brien said.
Local leaders in several areas agreed and said a boon to the airport, greater priority for road and other public works projects, area-wide recognition for the community, increased business for motels and restaurants, support for a much-needed new building at the Indoor Sports Center and possible impetus for a kayaking and extreme sports center on the river are among items at stake for Rockford in today’s USOC decision.O’Brien said he envisions Rockford handling large numbers of corporate aircraft and charter jets carrying up to 300 to 400 passengers for a Chicago-based Olympiad.
“In conjunction with the Olympics and the buildup to it, Rockford airport would be on a par of like when the Experimental Aircraft Association is in Oshkosh, Wis. We would be the world’s busiest airport for that period.“We are very strategically located, and we would outpace (General Mitchell International Airport) Milwaukee by 10 times, if Milwaukee was considered a reliever for Chicago.”
John Groh, executive vice president of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said it’s incumbent on Rockford “to stick up its hand and get involved” because the Olympics in Chicago would mean upgrades in transportation and quality of living infrastructure leading to regionwide economic development opportunities that last long after the Olympics are gone.
“The sheer numbers of people involved with an Olympics would require a need for transportation because they would not all be able to stay in downtown Chicago,” Groh said. “Whether there was a need to provide practice areas or living accommodations, the connections of airports, roads, bus routes all would be important.”
He said passenger rail service and high-speed rail service have been “in the loop” of discussions between Rockford and Chicago officials raising the possibility that items that have been on Rockford’s wish list for decades could suddenly become part of Chicago’s political priorities.
“We have some good facilities here,” Groh said, “but are they up to Olympic scale? Probably not. But they could be built or improved to serve the citizens first and also be scalable to Olympic caliber.”Rockford Park District Executive Director Tim Dimke said he expects Chicago will try to keep the Games’ venues as close to its downtown as possible, but believes Rockford will be able to fill a role for teams seeking practice areas before they head to Chicago.“Anything we could pull out here would showcase our abilities to pull together major venues and major events with hotels and motels, restaurants and the playing fields,” Dimke said. “That kind of experience should put us high on the list as Chicago looks around for communities to assist them.”
Dimke said the soccer fields at both Sportscore sites and the Indoor Soccer Center, including a proposed $7 million building to enclose a full-size 200-by-85 yards soccer field, could serve as practice or preliminary-game sites for Olympic teams.Groh said 1994 World Cup soccer teams used Rockford as a practice site before competing at Chicago.Dimke said a new building at the Indoor Sports Center would serve local soccer which already presents “a phenomenal demand for space. They’re crying for more indoor space,” Dimke said. “We’re talking about a summer Olympics, so a building like that wouldn’t be used as extensively at that time of year. We might be able to modify it to connect to the Olympics.”
Tom Graceffa, past president of Rockford YMCA Rowing Club, said members of the club have discussed the possibility that “the Rock (River) could be a very good venue for the teams to practice before the Games because, other than Lake Michigan, there’s not a lot of big water around.
“We could easily accommodate the U.S. teams and, since it’s really not that far of a drive, some of the teams from other countries.”
The rowing club also has experience handling a large event after hosting the Head of the Rock Regatta for the past 21 years. The event drew more than 1,700 competitors and 530 boats in 2006.Graceffa said the river wouldn’t qualify as a venue for the Games because, of course, it has a current and Pierce Lake at Rock Cut State Park is too short to be considered for the races, which are up to 2,000 meters long.
If Rockford attracts rowing practices, he said, “it could be the boulder that starts to roll downhill for establishing a Midwest rowing center in Rockford for rowing, kayaking and whitewater rafting.”
Groh said David Preece, the convention and visitors bureau’s president and CEO, is part of a group that the mayor’s office has asked to study the feasibility of a proposed kayaking and indoor extreme sports center in the former Ingersoll building at the southeast edge of the Chestnut Street bridge.
“It’s a matter of scalability,” Groh said. “If it is to serve the citizens and visitors, what could be the need? But, if we want to scale it for the Olympic Games, what would it be necessary to do?”Groh said he expects that, if Chicago is chosen, Mayor Richard Daley and a committee he has chosen will intensify their work on the Olympics immediately and that Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey will assemble a Rockford committee to work with them.
“On the bottom line, these kinds of things are about what you make of them,” O’Brien said. “If people see it for what it is, it could be spectacular.”
By Mike DeDoncker
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
ROCKFORD — Local officials are confident the world couldn’t come to Chicago for an Olympic Games without benefitting Rockford.A first step in whether that opportunity arrives is expected to be announced today when the U.S. Olympic Committee chooses to support either Chicago or Los Angeles in a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
The intent of the early selection is to give the United States choice a leg up in preparing its case for 2009, when the International Olympic Committee makes the final decision on the host city.“It would be absolutely beyond people’s wildest dreams,” Chicago/Rockford International Airport Executive Director Bob O’Brien said.
Local leaders in several areas agreed and said a boon to the airport, greater priority for road and other public works projects, area-wide recognition for the community, increased business for motels and restaurants, support for a much-needed new building at the Indoor Sports Center and possible impetus for a kayaking and extreme sports center on the river are among items at stake for Rockford in today’s USOC decision.O’Brien said he envisions Rockford handling large numbers of corporate aircraft and charter jets carrying up to 300 to 400 passengers for a Chicago-based Olympiad.
“In conjunction with the Olympics and the buildup to it, Rockford airport would be on a par of like when the Experimental Aircraft Association is in Oshkosh, Wis. We would be the world’s busiest airport for that period.“We are very strategically located, and we would outpace (General Mitchell International Airport) Milwaukee by 10 times, if Milwaukee was considered a reliever for Chicago.”
John Groh, executive vice president of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said it’s incumbent on Rockford “to stick up its hand and get involved” because the Olympics in Chicago would mean upgrades in transportation and quality of living infrastructure leading to regionwide economic development opportunities that last long after the Olympics are gone.
“The sheer numbers of people involved with an Olympics would require a need for transportation because they would not all be able to stay in downtown Chicago,” Groh said. “Whether there was a need to provide practice areas or living accommodations, the connections of airports, roads, bus routes all would be important.”
He said passenger rail service and high-speed rail service have been “in the loop” of discussions between Rockford and Chicago officials raising the possibility that items that have been on Rockford’s wish list for decades could suddenly become part of Chicago’s political priorities.
“We have some good facilities here,” Groh said, “but are they up to Olympic scale? Probably not. But they could be built or improved to serve the citizens first and also be scalable to Olympic caliber.”Rockford Park District Executive Director Tim Dimke said he expects Chicago will try to keep the Games’ venues as close to its downtown as possible, but believes Rockford will be able to fill a role for teams seeking practice areas before they head to Chicago.“Anything we could pull out here would showcase our abilities to pull together major venues and major events with hotels and motels, restaurants and the playing fields,” Dimke said. “That kind of experience should put us high on the list as Chicago looks around for communities to assist them.”
Dimke said the soccer fields at both Sportscore sites and the Indoor Soccer Center, including a proposed $7 million building to enclose a full-size 200-by-85 yards soccer field, could serve as practice or preliminary-game sites for Olympic teams.Groh said 1994 World Cup soccer teams used Rockford as a practice site before competing at Chicago.Dimke said a new building at the Indoor Sports Center would serve local soccer which already presents “a phenomenal demand for space. They’re crying for more indoor space,” Dimke said. “We’re talking about a summer Olympics, so a building like that wouldn’t be used as extensively at that time of year. We might be able to modify it to connect to the Olympics.”
Tom Graceffa, past president of Rockford YMCA Rowing Club, said members of the club have discussed the possibility that “the Rock (River) could be a very good venue for the teams to practice before the Games because, other than Lake Michigan, there’s not a lot of big water around.
“We could easily accommodate the U.S. teams and, since it’s really not that far of a drive, some of the teams from other countries.”
The rowing club also has experience handling a large event after hosting the Head of the Rock Regatta for the past 21 years. The event drew more than 1,700 competitors and 530 boats in 2006.Graceffa said the river wouldn’t qualify as a venue for the Games because, of course, it has a current and Pierce Lake at Rock Cut State Park is too short to be considered for the races, which are up to 2,000 meters long.
If Rockford attracts rowing practices, he said, “it could be the boulder that starts to roll downhill for establishing a Midwest rowing center in Rockford for rowing, kayaking and whitewater rafting.”
Groh said David Preece, the convention and visitors bureau’s president and CEO, is part of a group that the mayor’s office has asked to study the feasibility of a proposed kayaking and indoor extreme sports center in the former Ingersoll building at the southeast edge of the Chestnut Street bridge.
“It’s a matter of scalability,” Groh said. “If it is to serve the citizens and visitors, what could be the need? But, if we want to scale it for the Olympic Games, what would it be necessary to do?”Groh said he expects that, if Chicago is chosen, Mayor Richard Daley and a committee he has chosen will intensify their work on the Olympics immediately and that Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey will assemble a Rockford committee to work with them.
“On the bottom line, these kinds of things are about what you make of them,” O’Brien said. “If people see it for what it is, it could be spectacular.”
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Police commandos strut their stuff in Taman Negara Eco-Challenge
Story and by NIK NAIZI HUSIN
JERANTUT: For the second time in a row, police commandos from Hulu Kinta Perak proved their mettle to emerge champion in the recent Taman Negara Eco-Challenge.
Naming themselves Team Vat 69B, the commandos led by Sjn Shamsudin Hasan had three new faces, namely Constable Saifudin Hasbi, L/Kpl Ahmad Shahrin Omar and L/Kpl Razali Tumpang.
Despite lacking in experience, the guidance and leadership of Sjn Shamsudin led the team to complete the punishing race in a time of 16 hours 59 minutes.
The event, which included climbing the highest mountain in Peninsular - Gunung Tahan - was spread over three days.
Team VAT 69B broke the event’s record of 19 hours 35 minutes and 50 seconds set last year by their colleagues.
To Sjn Shamsudin, his seniority in the commando unit and wide experience in extreme sports was an asset to guide and teach his three juniors for the event.
Sjn Shamsudin had taken part in the Marlboro Adventure Team Challenge in Utah in 1996 and 1997 and was the champion in the Gunung Tahan challenge in 1996 besides taking part in many extreme sports events while the three younger men were just two years in the commando unit.
“No doubt, they were lacking in experience but their high spirits showed throughout the race and made us more confident to complete the course.
“As young men, Saifudin 23, Ahmad Shahrin 22, and Razali 26, need motivation,” said Sjn Shamsudin.
Constable Saifudin said he was glad to have a team leader like Sjn Shamsudin as he needed guidance and direction.
“Sjn Shamsudin’s leadership was very valuable to us. His patience and understanding helped us complete the course.
“I gained much knowledge from him in extreme sports,” he said.
Vat 69B team finished their first day's challenge by scaling and jogging atop the mountains from the starting point in Kuala Juram, Merapoh, Lipis, in five hours 47 minutes covering a distance of 44.4km.
On day two, the team completed the journey of 40km from Kem Padang to Kuala Terenggan in nine hours 37 minutes.
On the final day, from Kuala Terenggan to the finishing point in Kuala Tahan, they took two hours and 35 minutes to complete the course to become the champion.
Team Vat 69B beat first runner-up team Anaconda comprising Jasmi Sarael, Sangup Richard, Jusery Gani and Badrul Hisyam A Bao who recorded a time of 18 hours 47 minutes.
Team Vat 69 A, comprising Shamsudin Hasan, Md Nazri Kassim, Nor Azeman Samiran and Helmi Mokhtar emerged as second runner-up with a time of 19 hours 14 minutes.
A total of 23 teams from all over the state took part in the challenge held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year as one of the 50 major events in the country.
However, only 19 teams completed the three-day, two-night journey of three stages covering a total distance of 129km.
Prizes included RM10,000 cash, challenge trophy and medals for the champions, RM7,000, challenge trophy and medals for the first runner-up and RM5,000, challenge trophy and medals for the second runner-up.
State Arts, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Maznah Mazlan presented the prizes to the winners.
JERANTUT: For the second time in a row, police commandos from Hulu Kinta Perak proved their mettle to emerge champion in the recent Taman Negara Eco-Challenge.
Naming themselves Team Vat 69B, the commandos led by Sjn Shamsudin Hasan had three new faces, namely Constable Saifudin Hasbi, L/Kpl Ahmad Shahrin Omar and L/Kpl Razali Tumpang.
Despite lacking in experience, the guidance and leadership of Sjn Shamsudin led the team to complete the punishing race in a time of 16 hours 59 minutes.
The event, which included climbing the highest mountain in Peninsular - Gunung Tahan - was spread over three days.
Team VAT 69B broke the event’s record of 19 hours 35 minutes and 50 seconds set last year by their colleagues.
To Sjn Shamsudin, his seniority in the commando unit and wide experience in extreme sports was an asset to guide and teach his three juniors for the event.
Sjn Shamsudin had taken part in the Marlboro Adventure Team Challenge in Utah in 1996 and 1997 and was the champion in the Gunung Tahan challenge in 1996 besides taking part in many extreme sports events while the three younger men were just two years in the commando unit.
“No doubt, they were lacking in experience but their high spirits showed throughout the race and made us more confident to complete the course.
“As young men, Saifudin 23, Ahmad Shahrin 22, and Razali 26, need motivation,” said Sjn Shamsudin.
Constable Saifudin said he was glad to have a team leader like Sjn Shamsudin as he needed guidance and direction.
“Sjn Shamsudin’s leadership was very valuable to us. His patience and understanding helped us complete the course.
“I gained much knowledge from him in extreme sports,” he said.
Vat 69B team finished their first day's challenge by scaling and jogging atop the mountains from the starting point in Kuala Juram, Merapoh, Lipis, in five hours 47 minutes covering a distance of 44.4km.
On day two, the team completed the journey of 40km from Kem Padang to Kuala Terenggan in nine hours 37 minutes.
On the final day, from Kuala Terenggan to the finishing point in Kuala Tahan, they took two hours and 35 minutes to complete the course to become the champion.
Team Vat 69B beat first runner-up team Anaconda comprising Jasmi Sarael, Sangup Richard, Jusery Gani and Badrul Hisyam A Bao who recorded a time of 18 hours 47 minutes.
Team Vat 69 A, comprising Shamsudin Hasan, Md Nazri Kassim, Nor Azeman Samiran and Helmi Mokhtar emerged as second runner-up with a time of 19 hours 14 minutes.
A total of 23 teams from all over the state took part in the challenge held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year as one of the 50 major events in the country.
However, only 19 teams completed the three-day, two-night journey of three stages covering a total distance of 129km.
Prizes included RM10,000 cash, challenge trophy and medals for the champions, RM7,000, challenge trophy and medals for the first runner-up and RM5,000, challenge trophy and medals for the second runner-up.
State Arts, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Maznah Mazlan presented the prizes to the winners.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
China's top cliff hunger falls to death
CHANGCHUN, Northeast China - China's top cliff hunger and former national champion Liu Xinan fell to death after conquering a 6,033m peak in Sichuan province, Chinese mountaineering officials told Xinhua on Tuesday.
Liu, 26 and a native from Changchun, conquered Dangjiezhenla I peak located in Batang county of Ganzi, Sichuan, with his "Knife Blade" climbing team on March 29. While descending to the height of 5,700m, Liu unexpectedly fell a vertical height of 300m and died later.
Liu's climbing of Dangjiezhenla I had been approved, said Gao Min, vice secretary of Sichuan Mountaineering Association (SMA), who also expressed his condolences.
Liu won the first prize in men's climbing during the 2000 China's national extreme sport event. Since then Liu had performed well in several other equivalent sport events, and he was entitled national sports master later.
"I was shocked. It was a great loss for sport climbing of our country," said Chen Jun, a climbing expert and coach of the climbing team of Jilin University.
Chen was the first person who taught Liu basic techniques of climbing. According to Chen, Liu was hard-working and staid. The incident was probably due to exhausting strength.
Chen also expressed his concern for the recent fever of outdoor exploration. He said, extreme sports like mountaineering and climbing have attracted a great amount of young people in China, who are eager to seek excitement and challenges, and the number of incidents involving injuries and deaths have risen accordingly.
In order to avoid similar tragedies, Chen said that people must prepare well before taking part in extreme sports.
"Firstly, they should get approval from local mountaineering associations. Secondly, they should be trained under the guidance of experts or coaches. They also need to check their equipment from time to time and pay attention to weather forecast." he added
Liu, 26 and a native from Changchun, conquered Dangjiezhenla I peak located in Batang county of Ganzi, Sichuan, with his "Knife Blade" climbing team on March 29. While descending to the height of 5,700m, Liu unexpectedly fell a vertical height of 300m and died later.
Liu's climbing of Dangjiezhenla I had been approved, said Gao Min, vice secretary of Sichuan Mountaineering Association (SMA), who also expressed his condolences.
Liu won the first prize in men's climbing during the 2000 China's national extreme sport event. Since then Liu had performed well in several other equivalent sport events, and he was entitled national sports master later.
"I was shocked. It was a great loss for sport climbing of our country," said Chen Jun, a climbing expert and coach of the climbing team of Jilin University.
Chen was the first person who taught Liu basic techniques of climbing. According to Chen, Liu was hard-working and staid. The incident was probably due to exhausting strength.
Chen also expressed his concern for the recent fever of outdoor exploration. He said, extreme sports like mountaineering and climbing have attracted a great amount of young people in China, who are eager to seek excitement and challenges, and the number of incidents involving injuries and deaths have risen accordingly.
In order to avoid similar tragedies, Chen said that people must prepare well before taking part in extreme sports.
"Firstly, they should get approval from local mountaineering associations. Secondly, they should be trained under the guidance of experts or coaches. They also need to check their equipment from time to time and pay attention to weather forecast." he added
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
2007 World Freefall Convention Cancelled
By Don Kirlin
Don Kirlin and the World Free Fall Convention announced today the 2007 event has been cancelled. Citing logistic and personal reasons, the world's largest skydiving event is taking a break.
The convention has always been on the cutting edge of the industry. From unusual jump ships to manufacturers with new products to debut, the convention has been the place that lured skydivers from around the world to Illinois for 10 days each year.
As the sport has changed over the years, the convention has taken on many different looks appealing to different segments of the industry. The convention takes months of planning and money to strive to be what it's founder, Don Kirlin believed in most... He always challenged his team to produce the best skydiving event in the world year after year.
After 17 years, and moving the event from Quincy, IL to Rantoul, IL, he says it's just time to take a little break. "We need to recharge our batteries and start fresh reinventing the World Free Fall Convention for the future. I've always tried to think outside of the box, I'm open to ideas, and look to the skydiving community for ideas as we assess every aspect of our operation.
I'm not sure where we will be in 2008, but, it is my desire along with the staff of the WFFC, that we will be back in the grand form in which the convention grew up from in the 90's."
Mr. Kirlin noted that the WFFC has been the only boogie ever to provide a Boeing 727 for jumping purposes. Other remarkable jumpships include a Super Constellation, Family Channel Blimp, C-130, and Bell 412 Helicopter. B-17 and B-24 Bombers from World War II were a hit as well.
Recently a glider and an AN-2 were featured along with a DC-9. Over 600,000 jumps have been completed during the course of the WFFCs' 17 years. Visitors from every State and over 70 foreign countries have come to jump the variety that only the WFFC has provided. "We have loved every minute of the past 17 years."
Don Kirlin and the World Free Fall Convention announced today the 2007 event has been cancelled. Citing logistic and personal reasons, the world's largest skydiving event is taking a break.
The convention has always been on the cutting edge of the industry. From unusual jump ships to manufacturers with new products to debut, the convention has been the place that lured skydivers from around the world to Illinois for 10 days each year.
As the sport has changed over the years, the convention has taken on many different looks appealing to different segments of the industry. The convention takes months of planning and money to strive to be what it's founder, Don Kirlin believed in most... He always challenged his team to produce the best skydiving event in the world year after year.
After 17 years, and moving the event from Quincy, IL to Rantoul, IL, he says it's just time to take a little break. "We need to recharge our batteries and start fresh reinventing the World Free Fall Convention for the future. I've always tried to think outside of the box, I'm open to ideas, and look to the skydiving community for ideas as we assess every aspect of our operation.
I'm not sure where we will be in 2008, but, it is my desire along with the staff of the WFFC, that we will be back in the grand form in which the convention grew up from in the 90's."
Mr. Kirlin noted that the WFFC has been the only boogie ever to provide a Boeing 727 for jumping purposes. Other remarkable jumpships include a Super Constellation, Family Channel Blimp, C-130, and Bell 412 Helicopter. B-17 and B-24 Bombers from World War II were a hit as well.
Recently a glider and an AN-2 were featured along with a DC-9. Over 600,000 jumps have been completed during the course of the WFFCs' 17 years. Visitors from every State and over 70 foreign countries have come to jump the variety that only the WFFC has provided. "We have loved every minute of the past 17 years."
Monday, April 2, 2007
Extreme for a Day in Region X
Mike Banos
March 31, 2007
A growing number of extreme sports enthusiasts are trooping down south to test their wits and wills against the growing rep of the white water of the Cagayan de Oro River. As the country's first and only year round white water rafting destination, perhaps it's only appropriate that this city and the region to which it is a part of lay claim to the title as the Extreme Sports Capital of the Philippines.
Beyond its official numerical X designation as one of the country's administrative regions, it has developed over the years a number of the X sports destinations that hard core X sports aficionados all over the country have found worth their while to come back to again and again.
Here are three worth mentioning that are within easy reach of the casual visitor or hard core X sport fanatics:
Perhaps adventuresome tourists or novice X sporters would do well to take first crack at the Makahambus Adventure Park. Just 25 minutes from the city proper and 10 minutes from the Lumbia airport (for those who can't wait upon landing or are catching a plane), Indiana Jones wannabes can cross a 120-meter long sky bridge 150-feet off the ground spanning centuries old trees to admire the view of the spectacular Makahambus Gorge from various perspectives.
If that doesn't get your adrenaline flowing, rappel 120 feet down the gorge or brave the 120-meter "Slide-for-Life" Zip Line for only P500 for the whole package or P300 for either Skybridge and Zipline, or Rappelling only.
Makahambus hill has a hallowed place in Philippine history: here local hero Apolinar Velez led the Mindanao Battalion to victory over the Americans in the 'Battle of Makahambus Hill' in June 4, 1900, the only victory of Filipino forces over the U.S. forces in Mindanao during the Philippine-American War.
Further east through the Maharlika National Highway going east and turning right through to the Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village, lies a 2,490 hectare forest reserve developed by the late vice president Emmanuel Peleaz a mere 30 minutes away from the city proper. It includes a cattle ranch, a forest reserve and the Mapawa Nature Park.
Your P40 entrance fee will buy you access to the park's extreme sports attractions which includes a six-stage zipline course which costs P250 per head, though you can also limit yourself to the first three stages which includes a 60-meter zipline, 25 meter monkey bridge and 70 ft. zip and 13 ft. rappel for only P125/head.
Or try the more advanced second stage with a 100 meter zipline and 100 meter zip return for only P100/head and take your option of a 40-feet rappel at P50/head or 100 meter zipline and 40-foot rappel for P150.
You can also give their trampoline a try, it's only P25 per head for 10 minutes of totally inane or totally entertaining trampoline, whichever frame of mind pervades you that day.
Or you can go horseback riding through the 2,000 hectare reforestation area for only P75/head for a 15 minute trail ride to P175/head for one hour, free riding instructions included. There's also a 3 hr. trail ride to the park's 55 foot waterfalls or 2 hr. cowboy trail ride through the cattle pasture.
You can also coordinate with the management for a variety of team building activities including greasy pig, palosebo, cattle wrestling show, ecological trek, obstacle course, bonfire or camping (day or night). The park has amenities which include view decks, picnic tables, camp ground where you can pitch your tents (day or night, min. 12 pax @100/head), light a bonfire, or go dipping in the swimming hole.
But for that truly unforgettable Xperience, take their River Trekking and Canyoneering Package, your personal epic saga which starts at 7am and ends at 3pm, for only P950 /head (minimum 5 pax) inclusive of bottled water, snacks, packed lunch, trek guides, mountaineering equipment and life vests.
That may sound pretty steep but consider the following Xtreme Adventure: you start off with a 30 minute ride on a trailer pulled by a farm tractor while being briefed on the reforestation project. At the drop off your group takes a 15 minute trek downhill to the river where you all don life vests for a screaming waterslide down a 25 ft natural waterfall, followed by a 30 foot jump from another waterfall and a rappel down a 65 ft. waterfall. After lunch, you can either trek back to the trailer or ride back to the park on horseback (costs extra through). Or you can camp out in the park or stay overnight at the ranch with bed and breakfast, though prior arrangements for this are necessary.
But if all that's still too tame for you, then it's the DOME Expedition Tours by Detour: The Adventure Company for you, which includes the famous Noslek Canopy Walk in Claveria, Misamis Oriental and an option of spelunking in the Kweba de Oro in Barangay Lumbia or Pinoy whitewater rafting using lashed salbabidas.
Definitely not for the faint-hearted, you start off the first day of your weekend X adventure with an hour long trek from Magbais, Mat-i in Claveria to reach the access deck where you will be fitted with a safety harness for your walk in the clouds 3,500 feet above the sea level and 24-36 meters above ground. Your adventure starts with a 40 meter zipline to the first view deck and it will all be hanging "monkey" bridges from there. From you vantage point above the forest canopy, you will have a bird's eye view of the virgin forest in a watershed that's been declared an eco-tourism zone. On your way back, you have the option of a cold dip in the pristine waters of a natural pool with a small waterfall. You can also walk upriver to see more such pools and waterfalls.
Next day, you it's a two-hour spelunking (caving to the uninitiated) of the Kweba de Oro which includes a 110ft rappel down to the cave entrance and a two-hour trek inside the cave following an underground stream through a cavern festooned with stalagmites and stalactites. After lunch, you get up close and personal with the mighty Cagayan River with "Pinoy" white water rafting. It's all fun, no fear, with rafters as young as 70 and as old as two having previously made the trip. You will navigate 6.4 kms. of the Cagayan river with 14 rapids rated Class 3-4 (5 being the highest) with safety helmets and life vests provided by your outfitter.
The nifty thing about DOME's Expedition Tours is the convenience of being able to arrive by plane in the first flight from Manila, go to either the canopy walk or spelunking and Pinoy rafting in the afternoon, yet still have enough time left to make it back home with the last flight around 5:30PM.
The canopy walk will set you back from P1,933 per head for a minimum group of three but goes down to P800 per for a group of 10. A half-day's tubing would cost you P900 per head and P1,500 for a full-day. Spelunking at the Kweba de Oro ranges from P1,717 for a group of three to as low as P760 for a group of 10.
Of course, for the ultimate adrenaline rush, few can match the thrill and adventure of a day's white water rafting in the Cagayan River.
Most of the six 'outfitters' offer two types of runs: the beginners/amateur course runs 12.9 kms. with 14 Class 2-3 rapids and lasts 3.5 hrs. including side trips while the advanced or extreme/expert course is longer at 18.6 kms and can take up to 5 hrs with 14 Class 2-4 rapids.
The beginners course costs P900 per person (minimum of five persons) and includes a cavern side trip, jeepney transfer to the rafting area from the Park Café in Plaza Divisoria, briefing on rafting, provision of safety and protection equipment, river and rescue guides, and a fresh shower and change of clothes at the disembarkation point. The longer advanced/extreme expert course costs P1,300 per person (min. of five pax) with much of the same amenities.
Rafters are provided with safety and protection equipment including a certified rafting helmet, life vest certified for white water sports, paddle which can also serve as a safety tool in emergencies, and throw bags with ropes with which a dunked passenger be hauled in from up to 10 meters away by rescuers.
Additional safety measures include the deployment of a rescue raft manned by two experienced river guides with every run, first aid kit, and emergency rescue vehicle which can bring any accident victim to the nearest hospital in 20-25 minutes.
Rafters are advised to wear comfortable close fitting shirts, preferably quick-dry; short pants preferably light and quick drying, and strap-on sandals or aqua shoes. Other mandatory stuff experienced rafters bring along are extra clothes and under garments, towel, swimsuit and sunscreen.
March 31, 2007
A growing number of extreme sports enthusiasts are trooping down south to test their wits and wills against the growing rep of the white water of the Cagayan de Oro River. As the country's first and only year round white water rafting destination, perhaps it's only appropriate that this city and the region to which it is a part of lay claim to the title as the Extreme Sports Capital of the Philippines.
Beyond its official numerical X designation as one of the country's administrative regions, it has developed over the years a number of the X sports destinations that hard core X sports aficionados all over the country have found worth their while to come back to again and again.
Here are three worth mentioning that are within easy reach of the casual visitor or hard core X sport fanatics:
Perhaps adventuresome tourists or novice X sporters would do well to take first crack at the Makahambus Adventure Park. Just 25 minutes from the city proper and 10 minutes from the Lumbia airport (for those who can't wait upon landing or are catching a plane), Indiana Jones wannabes can cross a 120-meter long sky bridge 150-feet off the ground spanning centuries old trees to admire the view of the spectacular Makahambus Gorge from various perspectives.
If that doesn't get your adrenaline flowing, rappel 120 feet down the gorge or brave the 120-meter "Slide-for-Life" Zip Line for only P500 for the whole package or P300 for either Skybridge and Zipline, or Rappelling only.
Makahambus hill has a hallowed place in Philippine history: here local hero Apolinar Velez led the Mindanao Battalion to victory over the Americans in the 'Battle of Makahambus Hill' in June 4, 1900, the only victory of Filipino forces over the U.S. forces in Mindanao during the Philippine-American War.
Further east through the Maharlika National Highway going east and turning right through to the Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village, lies a 2,490 hectare forest reserve developed by the late vice president Emmanuel Peleaz a mere 30 minutes away from the city proper. It includes a cattle ranch, a forest reserve and the Mapawa Nature Park.
Your P40 entrance fee will buy you access to the park's extreme sports attractions which includes a six-stage zipline course which costs P250 per head, though you can also limit yourself to the first three stages which includes a 60-meter zipline, 25 meter monkey bridge and 70 ft. zip and 13 ft. rappel for only P125/head.
Or try the more advanced second stage with a 100 meter zipline and 100 meter zip return for only P100/head and take your option of a 40-feet rappel at P50/head or 100 meter zipline and 40-foot rappel for P150.
You can also give their trampoline a try, it's only P25 per head for 10 minutes of totally inane or totally entertaining trampoline, whichever frame of mind pervades you that day.
Or you can go horseback riding through the 2,000 hectare reforestation area for only P75/head for a 15 minute trail ride to P175/head for one hour, free riding instructions included. There's also a 3 hr. trail ride to the park's 55 foot waterfalls or 2 hr. cowboy trail ride through the cattle pasture.
You can also coordinate with the management for a variety of team building activities including greasy pig, palosebo, cattle wrestling show, ecological trek, obstacle course, bonfire or camping (day or night). The park has amenities which include view decks, picnic tables, camp ground where you can pitch your tents (day or night, min. 12 pax @100/head), light a bonfire, or go dipping in the swimming hole.
But for that truly unforgettable Xperience, take their River Trekking and Canyoneering Package, your personal epic saga which starts at 7am and ends at 3pm, for only P950 /head (minimum 5 pax) inclusive of bottled water, snacks, packed lunch, trek guides, mountaineering equipment and life vests.
That may sound pretty steep but consider the following Xtreme Adventure: you start off with a 30 minute ride on a trailer pulled by a farm tractor while being briefed on the reforestation project. At the drop off your group takes a 15 minute trek downhill to the river where you all don life vests for a screaming waterslide down a 25 ft natural waterfall, followed by a 30 foot jump from another waterfall and a rappel down a 65 ft. waterfall. After lunch, you can either trek back to the trailer or ride back to the park on horseback (costs extra through). Or you can camp out in the park or stay overnight at the ranch with bed and breakfast, though prior arrangements for this are necessary.
But if all that's still too tame for you, then it's the DOME Expedition Tours by Detour: The Adventure Company for you, which includes the famous Noslek Canopy Walk in Claveria, Misamis Oriental and an option of spelunking in the Kweba de Oro in Barangay Lumbia or Pinoy whitewater rafting using lashed salbabidas.
Definitely not for the faint-hearted, you start off the first day of your weekend X adventure with an hour long trek from Magbais, Mat-i in Claveria to reach the access deck where you will be fitted with a safety harness for your walk in the clouds 3,500 feet above the sea level and 24-36 meters above ground. Your adventure starts with a 40 meter zipline to the first view deck and it will all be hanging "monkey" bridges from there. From you vantage point above the forest canopy, you will have a bird's eye view of the virgin forest in a watershed that's been declared an eco-tourism zone. On your way back, you have the option of a cold dip in the pristine waters of a natural pool with a small waterfall. You can also walk upriver to see more such pools and waterfalls.
Next day, you it's a two-hour spelunking (caving to the uninitiated) of the Kweba de Oro which includes a 110ft rappel down to the cave entrance and a two-hour trek inside the cave following an underground stream through a cavern festooned with stalagmites and stalactites. After lunch, you get up close and personal with the mighty Cagayan River with "Pinoy" white water rafting. It's all fun, no fear, with rafters as young as 70 and as old as two having previously made the trip. You will navigate 6.4 kms. of the Cagayan river with 14 rapids rated Class 3-4 (5 being the highest) with safety helmets and life vests provided by your outfitter.
The nifty thing about DOME's Expedition Tours is the convenience of being able to arrive by plane in the first flight from Manila, go to either the canopy walk or spelunking and Pinoy rafting in the afternoon, yet still have enough time left to make it back home with the last flight around 5:30PM.
The canopy walk will set you back from P1,933 per head for a minimum group of three but goes down to P800 per for a group of 10. A half-day's tubing would cost you P900 per head and P1,500 for a full-day. Spelunking at the Kweba de Oro ranges from P1,717 for a group of three to as low as P760 for a group of 10.
Of course, for the ultimate adrenaline rush, few can match the thrill and adventure of a day's white water rafting in the Cagayan River.
Most of the six 'outfitters' offer two types of runs: the beginners/amateur course runs 12.9 kms. with 14 Class 2-3 rapids and lasts 3.5 hrs. including side trips while the advanced or extreme/expert course is longer at 18.6 kms and can take up to 5 hrs with 14 Class 2-4 rapids.
The beginners course costs P900 per person (minimum of five persons) and includes a cavern side trip, jeepney transfer to the rafting area from the Park Café in Plaza Divisoria, briefing on rafting, provision of safety and protection equipment, river and rescue guides, and a fresh shower and change of clothes at the disembarkation point. The longer advanced/extreme expert course costs P1,300 per person (min. of five pax) with much of the same amenities.
Rafters are provided with safety and protection equipment including a certified rafting helmet, life vest certified for white water sports, paddle which can also serve as a safety tool in emergencies, and throw bags with ropes with which a dunked passenger be hauled in from up to 10 meters away by rescuers.
Additional safety measures include the deployment of a rescue raft manned by two experienced river guides with every run, first aid kit, and emergency rescue vehicle which can bring any accident victim to the nearest hospital in 20-25 minutes.
Rafters are advised to wear comfortable close fitting shirts, preferably quick-dry; short pants preferably light and quick drying, and strap-on sandals or aqua shoes. Other mandatory stuff experienced rafters bring along are extra clothes and under garments, towel, swimsuit and sunscreen.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Stunt man films himself skiing down Underground escalator
LONDON A man who filmed himself skiing down a London Underground escalator is being investigated by police.
The 60-second film, which has been viewed by more than 100,000 people on the internet, shows the man hurtling down the 100 metre (300ft) escalator at Angel station in North London at a speed of more than 30mph.
In the footage, shot from a camera in the man’s helmet, passengers can be seen strolling past as he fixes his skis at the top of the escalator. He then launches himself down the stairs, arriving to applause at the bottom seven seconds later.
British Transport Police said that the “naive and reckless” skier was liable for prosecution.
John Spelman, who produced the Norwegian DVD, yesterday insisted that passers-by had not been put at risk because friends of the skier had waned away members of the public immediately before the sunt took place.
He named the man as a Norwegian freestyle skier called Arild.
The 60-second film, which has been viewed by more than 100,000 people on the internet, shows the man hurtling down the 100 metre (300ft) escalator at Angel station in North London at a speed of more than 30mph.
In the footage, shot from a camera in the man’s helmet, passengers can be seen strolling past as he fixes his skis at the top of the escalator. He then launches himself down the stairs, arriving to applause at the bottom seven seconds later.
British Transport Police said that the “naive and reckless” skier was liable for prosecution.
John Spelman, who produced the Norwegian DVD, yesterday insisted that passers-by had not been put at risk because friends of the skier had waned away members of the public immediately before the sunt took place.
He named the man as a Norwegian freestyle skier called Arild.
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