So today was another jam packed day full of different activities! The Contingent was split by age where the under 12s went on a Climbing Course, the 12-16 year olds got their hands wet at white water rafting 14km on the Simme, whilst the over 16s jumped out of a perfectly good plane at 13,000 feet in their skydiving experience. We can surely say that the overall atmosphere within the Contingent is great and high on adrenalin :)
Aiden, Max, Jonathan M, Gabba, Alec and Adam, along with GSL David woke up at 0600, went for a very quick breakfast and walked to the train station in the village of Kandersteg. After changing trains at Spiez they made their way to Boltigen station and walked for 5 minutes to the Swiss Adventures rafting centre. Mustard and Kiwi Don (the Rafting Instructors) provided all the kit which consisted of wetsuits, helmets, paddles and booties. An instruction session consisted of safety briefing, comnand exercises and emergency drill. The group was split into 2 rafts and away they went ... over white water rapids and eddies, dodging the boulders and shallow parts of the Simmer river not to get stuck on the rocks. The instructors gave many commands along the way to guide the rafts in the right direction and speed. After passing over many of the trickier parts of the river, like the Wizard's Steps and the Billabong Bend, the boys had a quick swim in the freezingly refreshing water. All this was happening in the prestine valley floor, passing under many wooden bridges and natural rock formations. All good things come to an end and they then had to carry the rafts up to the trailer and get changed back into dry clothes. In true Sliema style they ended the afternoon with a 'session' of rolling down the steep slopes with the biggest feat involving Max and Gabba being captured on film ... will let you find that on YouTube :P
(NOTE : GSL David left his phone at the rafting centre and will be getting it back by next Friday ... in the mean time please send any messages to ACSL Kirsten).
The younger members of the Group made up of Liam, Ben, Zach H, Zach M, Marcus, Scott, Ayrton, Mathias and Jonathan, led by Instructor Julian (Aka Inspector Julian) today went on the Climbing Course with KISC Instructors Jean and Tuuli. They met outside the Chalet for a briefing and then made their way to the Cable Cars which took them up to 2060m. They started by going over a boulder as a trail, which was followed by another 2 climbs with the most difficult being level 5C were the highest level in Kandersteg Valley is 7! We noted that Liam and Zach H made their climbs constantly fast although everyone managed all the climbs and learnt how to belay. Everyone gained their Kandersteg Climbers Badge which they all enjoyed!
The Skydiving people met at 1245hrs and boarded the van to the Skydive Switzerland base. Skipper, ASL Gerald, ACSL Kiki, AVSLs Ian & James, VS Sam and Chris had a briefing by Hans, Fritz and Andy and were told which cords not to touch, who were very amused by our mascots. Then they were split into 3 groups, kitted up and then boarded the planes. Take-off followed and in 15 minutes reached 13,000 feet. Everyone felt the V-Factor kick in as they took their final step off the perfectly functioning plane. One by one the daredevils reached terminal velocity of 216km/hr after 2600m freefall for 40sec. A sudden jolt on the cords opened the parachute for a 4 minute scenic descent into the alpine valley of Interlaken. Moses, Abraham and Noah (the Group mascots) joined the team for a free joyride!
V FACTOR!!!!! hahahaha the first time it came in useful! nice one
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