Speed & Splash – White Water Rafting 2009!

It was my first time at a waterfall and the experience was great! We really had a lot of fun playing, splashing each other and soaking in the water. And it was also my first time trekking, (or hiking?) so I thought it was quite fun even though I often lose my footing and fall into the stream. And the rafting was really exciting! I would like to go for rafting and to the waterfall again! =)

cheers
Olivia =)

This trip gives me chance to try white water rafting for the first time and it is really quite a thrill to be floating down a rapid river on a yellow tube! In that short 5km rafting which I secretly hope it was far longer, we paddled, we rolled about in the float, we screamed and finally we also capsized which some people really like while others were straight scared(me). The other highlight of this trip was the Waterfall trek. We walked through pokey grass, across big fat branches, got attacked by leeches and cross the river 6 times to get to the pretty and cooling waterfall. It was rewarding as we all enjoyed soaking and playing in the waters and I bet many of us got way too lazy to trek back! This trip takes us away into the peaceful rural area where we stayed in dormitories with great mountain views and bbq for dinner, slap-jack for digestion and small cozy talks, far away from the too-many-things-to-do life which I am sure we all hate.

- Lim Yun Lu

SMUX Calendar!

Paintball

Paintball came out as a result of two cowboys mischief in the old west.  Back then, paintball markers were utilized to mark cattle from a distance. It was not till one farmer decided to turn his marker on his fellow cowboy neighbor in a fit of mischief was the game of paintball formed.

Since then, the game of paintball has evolved to become a more professional sport. On the 24th of January, SMUX brought 12 members to Octville country club to play the tournament version of the game called speedball. In speedball, two sides of 3 to 5 members square off in an elimination game where one is called out of the game the moment he is hit.

The other variation of the game of paintball is woods ball, which is a far more tactical game that requires greater tactical awareness, movement and fire control. It is usually played in a jungle and is fully mission-based.

For five hours teams took turns to square off against each other in a round-robin style tournament. Other games like capture the flag were played as well. In total, all 12 players expended a whopping total of 6000 balls throughout the entire day. No one left unscarred by the experienced as all players walked away with well bruised legs and hands to show off for the experience. They were however, comforted by the fact that they had been furnished with the necessary protective equipment like paintball masks and vests to prevent permanent bodily harm.

In the end, comrades in arms and fellow players from other teams bonded through the experience as everyone traded their battle stories over a common seafood dinner. No doubt, this paves the way for future alliances and rivalries in the game.

Leonard Ng (24/01/09)
XSeed Team Manager

Bike-a-laxation

Intro-Biking is a bi-yearly event targeted at students who are enthusiastic about road cycling. To maintain interest and to provide students a unique and unforgettable experience, the theme of the event is varied. Judging by the amount of new participants, the variety of the biking activities has proved to be successful. On top of that, difficulty level of each event is kept at a manageable level in consideration of the newcomers.

The theme for this year’s Intro-Bike is Bike-a-laxation. The main aim is to allow students to enjoy a relaxing ride around the urban city and enjoy the exotic city glamour in a day. Bike-a-laxation is opened not only to beginners but also to advanced bikers.

The rationale for the choice of that particular theme is due to a lack of appreciation of the magnificent buildings and monuments within the city. I think the cause for the lack of appreciation is due to the strong emphasis that students placed on academic excellence thus the negligence of all the other things that are equally important.

In the morning of 17 Jan, a group of 40 enthusiastic explorers gathered at East Coast Park – Kit Runners, all geared in covered shoes, backpacks and sun block to embark on this ride.

The adventure kicked off at East Coast Park. Our first destination was the City area. We caught a glimpse of the majestic Merlion at One Fullerton and also the grandiose statues of Sir Stamford Raffles at Clark Quay.

Do you know that there are three Merlion and two Sir Stamford Raffles statues in Singapore?
You have definitely missed out on the fun in discovering the other sites!

From there, we proceeded towards the Vivocity and stopped by Seah Im Food Centre for our well-deserved lunches. Wasting no time, we advanced to our last rest point – Labrador Park, where we indulged ourselves with ice cream from a mobile umbrella truck.

Our biking journey ended on a memorable note. We stole the opportunity to take a group picture with a mesmerizing view of the sea.

As part of the organizing committee, it was a privilege and wonderful experience in planning the last Intro-Biking in SMUX. Though there will not be any Intro-Bike, there will be other annual biking events such as Nite Bike to look forward too.

Lim Yun Lu (17/01/09)

Happenings!

Diving Tioman Trip
13-15 Mar

Crystal blue waves, white sandy beaches, bikini-clad babes & board shorts-wearing hunks. That’s what the participants for the Tioman Dive Trip will experience while the rest of the school continue their battle with presentations and assignments!

Xseed Campus Carnage
13 Mar

Seen the latest Xseed mailer yet? If you haven’t, you’re missing out on the most exciting zombie shootout of the year! Sign up now at http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cEs2elFydlEtTkhDQUdtZnoxRTNKSnc6MA to reclaim our campus from the mindless horde of zombies!

Skating Day
20 Mar

“It’s my day to skate my way!”

SMUX Skating Team is organising the first ever Skate Day in SMU! A day where students get to go around school on skates. Come sign up to get a Skate Day t-shirt and/or register to skate around school on 20 Mar if you pass the proficiency test.

SMUX Interteam
21 Mar

SMUX Interteam is here again! A day where all SMUX members gather as one. Stay tuned for more information.

Adrace Beta Run
28 Mar

SMUX Adrace is conducting our second dry run on 28 Mar. We are looking for participants to test out our carefully planned route. Please sign up here to experience the race if you are not planning to join the actual race! Helpers are welcome to join!

SKATE DAY (20th March 2009)

It's MY DAY to SKATE MY WAY.

SKATE DAY like the name suggests is a Day meant for skaters by skaters. This special day is targeted at all skaters who belongs to the SMU community (whether faculty member or student) to take the opportunity to travel anywhere within the SMU compound on skates (example seminar rooms, concourse, campus green etc). Organized by SMUX Skating Team, our chief aim is to promote a healthy lifestyle; at the same time, it helps to raise the profile of SMUX Skating Team and highlight skating is a feasible means of transportation within the school.

Dean of Students Tri-Challenge

The Dean of Students Tri-Challenge is an annual event organized by SMU Fitness works. This competition is only meant for the strongest, fittest, and most enduring of them all, for the feat is no simple task. At these events, your usual biceps, 6-packs and slender aero-dynamical bodies would all be on display, from every corner of SMU.

SMUX, for whatever strange reasons, are not regular competitors in these DOS Tri-Challenge events. However this year, on a spur and a very last minute decision, we decided to send 2 teams, to represent the ‘Orange & Black’ cohort of SMU. These brave souls were more than just competitors; they were warriors, going in cold to a competition we had not much prior experience in. Our 2 teams represented us in both the CCA & Open Category.

SMUXies & SMUXers (CCA Cat):
Spinner: Lester Lim
Swimmer: Ang Xiao Hui
IronMan: Leonarg Ng (C)

Even SMUXier (Open Cat):
Spinner: Benedict Ng
Swimmer: Christina Boon
IronMan: Lim Kian Hean (C)

For honour and glory they went, carrying the banner of SMUX high for all to see; and they didn’t go alone. No team can demand presence and portray a strong challenge without support. Hence we sent our family down, those that bled orange & black, and by no means were we quiet; all the while shouting and cheering for our brothers and sisters on the battlefield, holding our proud banner high for all to see. SMUX had entered the DOS Tri-Challenge, and we weren’t going to relent.
As a result, after the scars, sweat and tears… the Gods Favoured US… FOR WE EMERGED VICTORIOUS!! We finished Podium Winners in both categories, Bronze & Silver respectively. In addition, we had even won the BEST CHEER TEAM! It was a great way to top off our magnificent feat.

We came, we sweated, we suffered, we cheered, and we endured till the very end. A victory not just for our brave warriors, but one for the whole family. For in SMUX, there is no I, there’s only WE.
OUR VICTORY, OUR SMUX!!

Sameer (13/02/09)
Trekking Team Corp Comms IC

Exco Investiture/ Friendship Day

It was not even a month from Chinese New Year Celebration that we gathered once again to celebrate Friendship Day, a.k.a. Valentines’ Day today. Everyone showed up, anxious to find out who exactly are their ‘angels’ and ‘mortals’ they have conversed over the blog for the past month. Every SMUXtremist exchanged glances, and if you looked close enough, those glances seemed to be asking: “Are you THE one?”

But before the long-waited mystery was revealed, we witnessed the investiture of SMUX TEAM EXCO members for 2009. In that short thirty minutes, we witnessed the inaugaration of the SMUXtremists who will bring SMUX to greater heights. It was an emotional moment, especially when the various Team Managers gave touching speeches, thanking their EXCO members for their commitment and motivating them to perform their best. Just as Kian Hean, the Kayaking Team Manager was giving a short speech to my fellow Kayaking Team EXCO members and me, I suddenly felt a great sense of satisfaction. Thoughts of the efforts that the Welfare ICs of various Teams had put in to make this event possible flashed through my mind. Designing and sending out e-mailers, spreading the word around, contacting the caterers, arranging the programmes, preparing the logistics and designing the room to make sure it is filled with ‘love’. Our efforts paid off!

Coming back to reality, the solemn ceremony soon gave way to the long awaited revelation. Games were played to build up the suspense to the revelation. Everyone participated enthusiastically, but at the back of their minds, they only had one thought: to find out who their angel and mortal are. Soon, after much anticipation and suspense, the list of angels and mortals were revealed. Some exclaimed, “I knew it!” while the others were in disbelief, “How could it be you?!” Nevertheless, many exchanged gifts with their beloved angels and mortals, rounding up the night’s event.

Not forgetting, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the emcees for the night, Sameer and Sophia, who stirred up the atmosphere. Thank you!

And to all who attended this event, thank you for making it a success!

Jeremy Poh (13/02/09)
Kayaking Welfare IC

SMU Adrace!

Click here for more info!

Upcoming kayaking star courses!

Water Venture’s Public Kayaking Star Courses

Dear interested course participants,

The following are the available course dates at WaterVenture centres around Singapore:

Please note that not all courses are posted online! You may want to call the other water venture centres not listed in the above screenshots.

The only difference these courses are from those organized by SMUX Kayaking is that you have to take the initiative to sign-up and pay up for the course by yourself.
Should you be interested, please visit http://one.pa.gov.sg and follow these steps:
1)      Click on “Register for Courses” at the left hand side column of the page
2)      Click on the category “Adventure and Water Sports”
3)      Click on the course you are interested in “Kayaking 1 Star” or “Kayaking 2 Star”
4)      Click on “Click here to register for this session” under the Action column
5)      Call up the relevant WaterVenture Centre to make a reservation and make a trip to the particular centre to sign up and pay for the course

The contact numbers of the relevant WaterVenture Centres can be obtained at http://www.water-venture.org.sg/1178608239351/1178608239359.html

SMUX Kayaking wishes you all the best in the courses and look forward to having you in one of our many expeditions.