On the 4th of April 2009, Montfort NPCC attended the Area Six High Rope Challenge (HRC) Event. In the morning, we set off for P.Ubin by bumboats from Changi Jetty. We sang lovely songs along the way. Soon, we reached NPCC campsite after viewing the beautiful sceneries of the island.
Everyone gathered in distinct straight rows as we waited for the further instructions. We put on our safety gears with rows of checking. Different schools were allocated to different courses. Montfort was appointed the Advanced Rope Challenge while other schools tried the other elements. We were filled with enthusiasm as we took on our first challenge. I was the first one to try the element during that time. At that point of time, I was shivering when I landed my legs on a thin metal cable. I knew there was no turning back… I also felt like giving up, but with my squadmate Shannon being the second one, I was encouraged by him. I persevered through the whole course without the help of the ladder. I felt a sense of achievement as I have completed my first challenge. It took us a few hours to complete the whole challenge.
Next, we did tunneling underground. We form groups of four to crawl from one end to the other end. The instructors set our school a challenge to have one group starting at each end and ending at the other end together. We took a bit longer than what it takes as one of my team member‘s shoes were been sunk underwater. We were having a great difficulty finding for that pair of shoes as there were many plastic balls obstructing us from our movements. Being successful with the tunneling, our next challenge awaits us: We called it, the “Leap of Faith”. It involves us jumping from a high pole and grabbing a pole. But, that was after lunch.
After our meal, we tried the other elements, which needed lot of courage to overcome, to be able to stand on the top of the log. My teacher officer also tried that element as she persevered on to complete the challenge. For most of us, encouragements from our squadmates were the key to complete the challenge. We tried clapping and motivating one another to do pull-ups and funny actions on the bar!! The tough challenge became a breeze to our squad.
Lastly, we had our last element, Flying Fox. Although the heavy downpour had delayed the activity to for quite some time, area six kept its enthusiasm and patience in waiting for the downpour to stop and to carry on with their activities. Fortunately enough, the downpour stopped immediately! The flying fox was a pair. As for me, I went on with Shannon and we climbed up the pyramid with our rollers. It was very laborious!! Bravely enough, we took on the challenge of swinging down from the super-high pyramid. It was indeed an exciting ride as the fast inertia made me hold on real tight to the hand loop!
We had such a whale of time. This was the last official event for our squad and also the last time to go to the island also. As everyone was dismissed, we took a ride on a van back to the jetty specially arranged by the new school, Holy Innocents’ High School.
Done by:
SSgt (NPCC) Wan Zun Siong
SSgt (NPCC) Shannon Chan Fuchen
