The Download Munkey : Finder of Things …

While I’ve never been much of an adrenaline junkie or risk-taker, I’ve been up to some really reckless and crazy activities in this couple of weeks like attempting to drive a 250cc dune buggy on a dirt trail with no prior driving experience, but all these mad ideas really pale in comparison to last weekend’s adventure.

I was enivisioning something like a leisurely stroll in the park during this complimentary visit to SAFRA Yishun (above) courtesy of SAFRA & Nuffnang, probably one comprising a tour of the facilities together with a rock climbing demonstration/trial before rounding off with a relaxing air rifle shoot But little did I know that the stroll in the park would be literally one suspended 18(!) metres above the interconnected Yishun Park.

At 25 metres high, the East Wing of the SAFRA Adventure Sports Centre towers over the surrounding trees of nearby Yishun Park. This doesn’t seem to be a stroll in the park anymore

Divided into 4 challenging stages - the Jacob’s Ladder, Burma Bridge, Postman Walk and the Elvis Walk, this balancing act on tiny wooden planks and steel cables strung amongst the treetops is better known as the Canopy Challenge Walk and may be the longest 100 metres you ever walked in your entire life (which is also why I recommend trying this one-of-a-kind experience - you’ll never think of a hundred metres the same way again, heh heh.)

The final 25 metres - The Elvis Walk

I’ll readily admit I would have chickened out on this if these two plucky young ladies Raine and Huiwen hadn’t gamely accepted this challenge in the first place. (Thanks for the photos too )

The ladies make the Elvis Walk look so easy. Behind them is SAFRA adventure trainer Kelly.

While my brain and legs were cursing me silently during the entire walk for attempting this rather unwise idea of inching slowly and gingerly along tightropes suspended up in the middle of nowhere, the feeling of relief and accomplishment upon stepping back onto solid ground at the end of it all was immensely satisfying (not that I would willingly try it again - haha Roys’ a self-confessed wimp! )

This looks more fun than the Canopy Challenge Walk …

After a short tour of the other recreational facilities like the rather impressive sport climbing walls (above) and less strenous activities like the Fruit Machine Rooms (aka Jackpot), Party World Karaoke and Orchid Bowling, it was time to head to the Indoor Air Weapons Range for something more agreeable to my half-frazzled nerves

Incidentally, the main shooting range at SAFRA Yishun is Singapore’s largest and best-equipped internationally-endorsed air weapons range with 42 lanes with electronic scoring systems. I had a great time shooting paper targets with the Feinwerkbau air rifles (probably Model 700) at one of the 10 metre lanes in the smaller shooting range (above) since the lanes at the main range were being utilized by national shooters practising at that time.

Hmm… this target card seems a bit empty - did I miss again?

There weren’t electronic scoreboards in here, but at least we got to play around with the funky mechanism that moves the target to the end of the firing lane and back to allow you to immediately assess your skills (or lack thereof) at the press of a button.

The Feinwerkbau air rifle uses a compressed CO2 cylinder which allows up to 100+ shots before refilling (if you’ve ever shot with airguns like this Benjamin Sheridan Model 397 that I shot recently - I had to manually pump the gun twice after every shot - then your arms will really thank you for shooting with one of these air rifles )

The standard .177 (4.5 cm) pellets used in the Feinwerkbau generate absolutely zero recoil (then again neither does any other .177 airgun) and coupled with easy operating and shooting procedures of the Feinwerkbau should make shooting air rifles and air pistols (didn’t manage to get my hands on those pistols) suitable for almost any shooting enthusiast. And here’s my score below.

I would like to assure everyone that no paper hole punches were involved in the taking of this photo

Read more about SAFRA Yishun, the Adventure Sports Centre (where the Canopy Challenge Walk is located) and the SAFRA Indoor Air Weapons Range.