If you think Singapore’s a bit quiet, you obviously haven’t tried any of these hair-raising activities – guaranteed to get your blood pumping and heart thumping!
Wakeboarding
Feel the wind rush through your hair as you glide on water! Wakeboarding is the world’s fastest-growing freestyle water sport. Developed from surfing and waterskiing, it also has skateboarding and snowboarding influences and experienced wakeboarders can perform gravity-defying flips, tricks and spins as high as 20 feet in the air. If the words “corked spin”, “double-up” and “monkey spin” mean nothing to you, then it’s time to step into some bindings and try riding on “glass” – smooth water. Or head to Bedok Reservoir on September 30 (1pm to 5pm) and October 1 (12pm to 5pm) to see champions in action at the HSBC Wakeboard World Cup 2006 (www.wakeboardworldcup.com). Extreme Sports Tel: 6344 8813, Web: www.extreme.com.sg. Wake Dynamics Tel: 9760 5084, Web: www.wakedynamics.com.
Bungy
Rather than diving face-first into oblivion, the Lion City opts to scare you silly with the G-MAX Reverse Bungy. Invented by New Zealander Troy Griffin 10 years ago, this reverse bungy seats up to three people at a time, reaches a height of up to 60 metres, speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and a G-force of five – similar to the force of gravity experienced by astronauts during a rocket launch. Currently on hiatus, the reverse bungy is due to open again soon. Children aged 11 to 12 years with a minimum height of 1.2 metres and weight of 35 kilos must be accompanied by a parent. Clarke Quay. Tel: 9385 0697, Web: www.gmax.co.nz.
Rock climbing
Singapore is within easy distance to some great rock-climbing sites – particularly in Krabi, Thailand. Get ready for any action by training at Climb Adventure, close to Tanjong Pagar. This indoor climbing facility offers 5,400 square feet of climbing space with 20 anchor points and walls eight metres high. Classes are available for absolute beginners from just five years of age. For the more experienced, climbing varieties include difficult, speed and bouldering. A change in routine is made every three to four weeks to provide an ongoing challenge to regular climbers. All courses are conducted by certified personnel of the Singapore Mountaineering Federation (www.smf.org.sg). 10 Hoe Chiang Road, #01-04/05 Keppel Towers. Tel: 6220 3305, Web: www.climbadventure.com.
Trekking
Founded in the early 60s by 12 young, adventurous Singaporeans, the Singapore Adventurer’s Club has now grown to over 500 members. Membership is open to any Singapore resident aged 14 years and above and low-cost trekking expeditions are arranged to nearby destinations such as Mount Kinabalu, Mount Ophir and Gunung Tahan in West Malaysia. The group has also conquered heights in the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and Nepal. And climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak – is an annual experience! Closer to home, the action continues with weekend camps, cycling tours, rock-climbing, canoeing, sailing, wakeboarding and kelong trips. Tel: 6749 0557, Web: www.sac.org, Email: membership@sac.org.
Hurtle 650 metres from Imbiah Lookout down to Siloso Beach on a three-wheeled cart in under two minutes! To ride the Sentosa Luge, daredevils under 1.1 metres tall must be accompanied by a responsible adult…hmmm. Imbiah Lookout, Sentosa Island. Web: www.sentosa.com.sg.
Jet Boating
Singapore Jet Boat will have you screaming your lungs out as you reach speeds of up to 65 kilometres per hour on the waters of Marina Bay and East Coast Parkway. Wet and wild stunts include 270-degree spins, wild fishtails, sideway slides and power-brake stops. Thrill-seekers must stand above 1.3 metres to experience this roller-coaster ride on water – perfect for showing visitors the sights of Singapore in record time. Singapore Merlion, Merlion Park, 1 Fullerton Road. Tel: 9730 5053, Web: www.asiatravel.com/singapore/jetboat.
Cable-skiing
Although tamer than wakeboarding, cable-skiing can nonetheless involve speeds of up to 58 kilometres per hour and a variety of “aqua-batics”. Suitable for beginners and experts of any age, Singapore’s new Cable Ski Park is a great family day out and also offers night skiing for stressed-out execs. 1206A East Coast Parkway. Tel: 6442 7318, Web: www.ski360degree.com.
Carlsberg Sky Tower stands 131 metres above sea level and offers 360-degree views of Singapore and surrounding islands. Suitable for daredevils of any age, this is one way to test your fear factor before leaping into the unknown with a more adventurous activity. 41 Imbiah Road, Sentosa Island. Tel: 1800 736 8672, Web: www.skytower.com.sg.
Try a reserved form of hot air ballooning with the DHL Balloon – a tethered helium balloon which reaches heights of up to 150 metres and can carry up to 29 people at a time. Tan Quee Lan Street. Tel: 6338 6877.
Posted on Sep 09
