3 Gravity-Defying Things To Do In Singapore | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts

• Gravity Defiance: The overarching theme of engaging in activities that challenge the natural pull of gravity.
• Auto Belay System: A safety device in climbing that automatically controls a climber's descent, making it beginner-friendly.
• Bouldering: A form of climbing on shorter walls without ropes or harnesses, relying on mats for safe landing.
• Belaying: A safety technique where a person (belayer) manages a rope to protect a climber.
• Indoor Skydiving (Bodyflight): Experiencing freefall in a vertical wind tunnel, simulating skydiving without an aircraft.
• Wind Chamber: The enclosed space in an indoor skydiving facility where powerful winds are generated.
• Hydrofoil Board: A surfboard-like board equipped with a hydrofoil, which lifts the board out of the water at speed.
• Wing Foiling: A water sport combining a hydrofoil board with a handheld inflatable wing to harness wind power.
• Surfboard Stance: A specific body position used on boards, typically with one foot forward.
• Counterbalance: Using weight or an object to offset another force, crucial for balance in activities like wing foiling.

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The video follows Suzana (Suz), a content creator and cancer survivor, as she embarks on an adventure across Singapore to defy gravity through various challenging activities. Her motivation stems from a "second lease on life," making her unafraid to live fully.

Climbing at Climb Central Choa Chu Kang

Suzana's gravity-defying journey begins at Climb Central Choa Chu Kang, one of Singapore's largest climbing gyms, boasting 1000 square metres of wall space. The gym features multiple auto belay lanes, allowing individuals to climb independently. An auto belay system is a safety device that controls a climber's descent, making it suitable for beginners from five-year-olds to experienced climbers.

Before climbing, participants perform a tug check (pulling down to ensure the machine retracts) and a squeeze check. Climbing routes are marked by different colored holds, with difficulty indicated by "grids" (zero being the easiest). Suzana starts with an easy grid, successfully completing her first climb.

Next, she attempts bouldering, which involves climbing shorter walls without ropes or harnesses. Safety is ensured by landing on mats in a specific safe landing position: legs shoulder-width apart, knees bent, arms hugging shoulders, and rolling back. Suzana successfully completes a bouldering route, using grey holds for a safe downclimb.

The ultimate challenge at Climb Central is the 15-meter feature wall. Suzana attempts the orange route, a level two out of six in difficulty, with an instructor belaying her for safety. The instructor emphasizes that good technique matters more than raw strength in climbing, advising to use legs, be smart with grip and body position, and plan moves. Despite initial struggles and self-doubt, Suzana pushes through but ultimately waves the white flag, admitting the incline got the better of her. She leaves feeling accomplished, comparing the experience to climbing Everest.

Indoor Skydiving at iFly Sentosa

To defy gravity in a new way, Suzana visits iFly Sentosa, a 17-meter tall wind chamber that blasts winds at 200 km/h, simulating the thrill of skydiving without leaving the ground. The concept was developed by Lawrence Koh, an ex-Commando and Singapore Armed Forces Parachute Team leader, who was inspired by his life-changing skydiving experience in 2000 and wanted to make it accessible to everyone without the risks of jumping from an airplane.

iFly offers a flight school for learning advanced maneuvers like hovering, spinning, and steering. For beginners, the key is to relax, arch the body slightly, and maintain a balanced posture to float steadily. Suzana finds the experience "insane" and "incredible," successfully completing two flights and receiving a certificate and photo.

Wing Foiling with Singapore Kiteboarding

The final challenge involves soaring over water through foiling, specifically wing foiling, which is considered a perfect entry point for beginners. Suzana takes a lesson with Vincent from Singapore Kiteboarding.

The equipment includes a wing, described as being "a little bit like a sail, but it's designed to fly up," and a hydrofoil board. The first step is learning to angle the wing to catch the wind and control its power by releasing the back hand. Suzana struggles initially, wishing she had paid more attention in physics class.

She then practices the surfboard stance on a skateboard: right foot in front, pulling out the wing with the leading edge, and the back hand on the front handle to get power. After some comical attempts and splashes, she learns to relax her back hand and use the wing as a counterbalance.

Despite drizzling weather, Suzana gets into the water. The goal for beginners is not necessarily to get up foiling on day one, but to stand on the board and glide forward for short periods. Suzana attempts to stand, using the wing as a counterbalance, and after a few tries, she manages to stand up and glide slowly, even if only for a moment, before the rain intensifies. She acknowledges the challenge, stating "one day is not enough," but celebrates her brief success of "standing on water."

Conclusion

Suzana's journey demonstrates that even in a bustling city like Singapore, there are ample opportunities to chase freedom and challenge oneself by defying gravity. Her experiences in climbing, indoor skydiving, and wing foiling highlight the importance of technique, courage, and the willingness to "look up and let go." Her personal story as a cancer survivor adds a powerful layer of motivation, emphasizing the joy of living life to the fullest.