Coverstory

Wicked Wild

Story by Jessicha Valentina & Andra Wisnu
Illustration by Eko Bintang

From skyscraper jumping to giant fish wrestling, there is no shortage of ways to spend your weekend. Here are our top picks to how you can spice up your leisure time.

NOODLING

Illegal in some of states due to possible threats to the catfish population, the US is nevertheless the only country in which this sport is currently being offered as a tourist attraction. Noodling is an unconventional way of fishing that involves using one’s bare hands as bait. The most common targets are large catfish, some of which can weigh up to 45kg! Noodling enthusiasts first dive in search of promising catfish holes, some of which lie 20 feet down on the bottom of rivers. They then place their hand inside the hole and pray!

WHAT YOU NEED

 

Hands
Your main lure. And the fish bite no matter how big or small your hands are.
 

Shorts
Or swimwear of some kind, or indeed any attire you don’t mind getting wet in.
 

Guts
Because putting your hand into something for the purpose of getting bitten can be a touch scary.


WHERE TO LOCATE

  1. KY Hand Grabbin
    4560 Witty Lane, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 42240
    t. + 1 270 887 8945 or +1 270 498 2435
    www.kyhandgrabbin.com
  2. Big Fish Adventures, LLC Temple,
    Oklahoma, 73568
    www.wecatchbigfish.net
  3. Big Tennessee Cat Fish
    711 New Hwy 68 Sweetwater, Tennessee, 37874 t. +1 865 258 9514
    www.bigtncats.com

 

BASE JUMPING

If you ever want to know how a flying squirrel feels, then this is the sport for you. BASE jumping is the act of jumping off buildings, antennas, spans (bridges), or earth (cliffs), hence the acronym BASE. The sport is somewhat similar to skydiving, except the altitudes are much lower, making the jumps considerably more difficult. A more exhilarating version of BASE jumping employs a wingsuit, which allows you to glide through the air before you have to deploy your parachute.

WHAT YOU NEED

 

Helmet
Preventing serious injuries is an obligation for all extreme sport enthusiasts.
 

Wingsuit
For experts only. This completely optional suit allows you to glide through the air.
 

Parachute
Always check for defects to ensure that the parachute works properly.


WHERE TO LOCATE

  1. KL Tower BASE Jump
    Managed by Australian BASE association
    GaryC71@gmail.com
  2. Manado Adventure
    Jl. Stadion Klabat, Manado
    Contact Person: Franky t. +62 813 4000 8185 www.manadoadventure.org
  3. Molde & Romsdal
    Tourist Office Torget 4, 6413 Molde t. + 47 71 20 10 00 www.visitmolde.com

 

SANDBOARDING

Sandboarding is said to have originated in Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs, and apparently the Egyptians would slide down dunes on pieces of wood. Origins aside, this is a perfect replacement boarding activity for those who can’t or don’t feel like travelling to a snowy landscape. So if you don’t like bundling up for the cold and yet don’t mind getting a little sand in your shorts, then prepare for some serious thrills, as you can reach speeds of up to 82km/h on a sandboard.

WHAT YOU NEED

 

Helmet
...as well as knee and elbow pads to keep from getting too badly injured.
 

Sandboard
These comes in different materials, lengths, styles and costs, but this is all you need to get you started.
 

Sand Dune
Because the thrill of sandboarding comes from the tallest and smoothest of sand dunes.


WHERE TO LOCATE

  1. Adventure Tours
    Kangaroo Island, Australia t. 1800 068 886 or +61 8 8132 8230
    www.adventuretours.com.au
  2. Rayna Tours & Travel
    205, 206 Old Labor Office Buidling, Abu Hail, Deira, Dubai
    t. +971 4 2699900 www.raynatours.com
  3. Yogyakarta
    Open to public, bring your own board

 

SNUBA DIVING

Snuba diving is basically a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving. All you need is a diving mask and you’re ready to explore the beauty of some of the deeper parts of the ocean. Breathing is facilitated by a long hose that is attached to an oxygen tank placed on a raft up on the surface of the water. This is a perfect introductory sport for those who want see what scuba diving is like, as no license or certification is required. Basic swimming skills are all that one needs.

WHAT YOU NEED

 

Oxygen tank
One oxygen tank can serve multiple divers.
 

Diving Mask
To see the beautiful underwater scenery.
 

Fins or Flippers
A pair of classic fins should see you swimming with both speed and grace.


WHERE TO LOCATE

  1. Maui Classic Charters
    1279 S Kihei Rd. # 110 Kihei, HI 96753-5222 www.mauicharters.com
  2. Aloha Ocean Adventures
    Royal Phuket Marina, Thepkasattri Rd., Koh Kaew, Phuket 83200 
    t. +66 81 91 76822 www.snubathailand.com
  3. Islands Snuba Excursions, LLC
    Po Box 831, St. John, VI 00831
    t. 888 294 1083 or +1 340 693 8063 www.visnuba.com

 

CAVE TUBING

This sport combines body rafting with caving and can be a relaxing yet challenging activity. There is a sense of adventure as you wade further into the darkest parts of caves and as you attempt to control your balance so as not to fall off your tube. Moreover, a plethora of caving wonders, such as stalactites, bats and waterfalls, add an educational element to cave tubing.

WHAT YOU NEED

 

Life vest
To keep you afloat should you accidentally fall off your tube.
 

Float Tube
Not the ones you bring to the pool but specialised big tubes the size of car tyres.
 

Helmet & Headlights
The helmet protects your head from bumping on cave ceilings, while your headlights allow you to see the wondrous sights.


WHERE TO LOCATE

  1. Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.
    585 Waitomo Caves Road Otorohanga 3977 t. +64 800 228 464
  2. Gunung Kidul
    Managed by Karang Taruna Dusun Gelaran I Contact Person: Haris
    +62 859 5965 6561
  3. Kalisuci Cave Tubing
    Contact Person: Muslam +62 877 387 94513 www.kalisucicavetubing.blogspot.com

 

KITE-BUGGYING

Similar to many power-kite activities, kite-buggying involves a three-wheeled buggy with a steerable front wheel and two fixed rear wheels. The two bars on the front wheel let you steer the buggy with your legs, while your speed depends on the wind and how skillfully you use your power kite. Some of the crazier setups involve strapping yourself to the buggy and waiting for a big wind to pull you up into the air, which allows for some awesome acrobatics.

WHAT YOU NEED

 

Padding
A must-have for any extreme sports enthusiasts. Stay safe!
 

Kite Buggy
Is what distinguishes this sport from other kite surfing sports. Always prioritize comfort when choosing a buggy.
 

Traction/ Power Kite
These large kites are a staple of any kite surfing sport.


WHERE TO LOCATE

  1. Bali Kitesurfing
    Jl. Cemara No. 72 Sanur 80280 – Denpasar t. +62 81 33 823 5082
    www.bali-kitesurfing.org
  2. No. 28 G/F. Sha Po Kong Tsuen
    Lung Kun Tan, Tuen Mun, HK. t. +852 2424 1010
    www.kiteboard.activity.hk
  3. Mobius Kite School
    Perranporth, England t. +44 1637 831 383 www.mobiusonline.co.uk