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19 March 2010

On Tuesday, the year twos, year threes and year fours went for some enrichment courses. The year fours went to SAFRA Yishun country club for an abseiling course.

We were greeted with a familiar face once we reached the country club. The instructor taking us for abseiling was the same instructor who taught us rock-climbing :) As the equipments and techniques used in abseiling were similar to rock climbing, the instructors let us practice the most basic skill in rock-climbing and abseiling -- belaying. This was a good revision for us, as many forgot how to belay. Belaying ensures the safety of the person doing rock-climbing and abseiling. After practicing belaying and doing a bit of rock-climbing, we proceeded to do abseiling.

Abseiling was quite different from rock-climbing. In rock-climbing, belaying was done by the partner of the climbing. In abseiling, however, belaying was done by the person abseiling. We have the belay to slowly drop ourselves lower. On the first try, many of us could not overcome the initial fear of dropping ourselves down the wall before abseiling. However, once we managed to drop ourselves down, we found abseiling rather relaxing and enjoyable. Everyone got to experience abseiling twice before lunch.

After lunch, we continued to learn a higher level abseiling skill. We had to lock the equipment and hang ourselves in midair for at least 5 seconds. It was difficult to lock the equipment as it require a certain amount of strength. Also, we had to hold the string tight to prevent ourselves from slipping down slowly. Many of us could not pass at the first attempt, but managed to do it after practice.

Overall, abseiling was a very new and unique experience for us. It was not a common sport that we will get to try in our daily lives. It not only tested our courage, but also showed us the importance of cheering each other on when we face a challenge.

Love guides! :D

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