Showing posts with label summer fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer fun. Show all posts

Monday, 1 September 2014

CLIMBING HIGH, GOING MONKEYS AT WILD PLAY

"Fun seeking, active adventurists (aka urban Tarzan's and Jane's), not afraid of heights, zip lines, swinging bridges, scrambling walls or trees are looking for playground (aka Dschungle). Able and willing to drive."

I receive requests similar to this one on a daily basis. I am a match maker! This is what I do for a living, I match individuals with their deepest desires.

This request came from the YVR Blogger group in Vancouver; like minded men and women saying yes to more fun and adventure in their life - and blog about it in the most creative, fun, heart warming, honest way imaginable.
After I put on my thinking cap, spun the "Wheel of Activity" I found their perfect match:

WildPlay Element Parks Maple Ridge
                       Address: 23485 Fern Crescent, Maple Ridge, BC V4R 2S6  Phone:(604) 477-1197

Lucky me, Wild Play is just a hop, skip and jump from my house on top of our rock, literally 500 meters above the activity park! Why am I lucky? As of last week I passed the park 2044 times already during the last 2,8 years; without ever visiting it. It turned out some things are worth waiting for; just like Wild Play. Together with 17 other Maple Ridger's and Vancouverite's I joined in the fun for sweaty palms, racing hearts, wobbly knees, screaming voices!  
The motto here is: Joined adventure is better adventure! 

 This is all of us before the height freight set in...just kidding!

groupshotwp


Welcome to the park:












Sign your waiver form:




Mingle, 
from left: Ms Alice, I, Ms Leslie, Master Isaac, our instructor.

Strike a pose,
from left: Ms Melody, Ms Leslie, Ms Grace and beautiful unknown beauty.

Make sure you meet the height requirements, (actually, do this first before you do the rest).

Put on your harness (visit the washroom before you strap yourself in. Once you are strapped and on the course you need to hold it).



(Oops, my natural reaction when I see a man strapped in...)


Listen to instructions!



Everybody who participates in the wild Wild Play activities must listen to and perform a practice run, 50 cm above the ground.


You wanna play? Then you need to listen, learn and follow the golden rule for Wild Players:

GRAB + SNAP




You need to grab hold of one of the lines or be snapped in the whole time you are on the course- otherwise you are out. Fair enough. The trees are mighty high, the course becomes higher, steeper and steeper and you can fall...

Wild Play is divided into the adult- and kiddy section. As I participated in the 'I am tall enough" group I can't tell you anything about the young ones. Whatever I've seen of it they looked they were having fun though!

The path we followed is called Monkido (the art of monkying around rediscovered), a tree top obstacle course. You get on the lowest tree, 'obstacle' your way around a few challenges and move up to the next level and so on and so forth. The grading follows the ski run system. It starts with the green course, the easiest; moves on to the blue, red and finishes with the highest, the black level. The idea is to finish the whole course within 1-3 hours. Once you have started the course there are only two zip lines that will zip you down, otherwise you are committed for the whole course.




One of the newest activities in Maple Ridge Wild Play is called WTF  @##@@#, (What's to Fear) a clever name for a free fall from a 12 meter platform. WTF- I couldn't do it do it. And not because I was afraid, no, I needed to go back home. Back to the top of the rock to start my next adventure. This one gets a High Five with a double back flip, cream and cherry on top!

As far as I could tell we all had a great time. Some of us took it slow and steady, others did it fast and steady. All in all, it was another match made in heaven!

 Don't just take my word for it, I am a huge sucker for outdoor activities- you need to zip it for yourself! Even if climbing high into the sky is not your thing...sometimes it's worth it to say yes to something new to add unexpected fun and adventure to your life.

 Modern Tarzan and Jane's can find Wild Play at six locations, here in Maple Ridge, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Victoria, Mt. Sina, YT and Wood Buffalo, AB.

 And to set the record straight, this trip was organized by Vancouvers Ueber blogger, Mr. Ricky Shetty!
Furthermore, I am not a match-maker!
The rest is all factual!

OPEN DAILY
MONKIDO AERIAL ADVENTURE check-ins from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. 
Book online or call Guest Services at 1-855-595-2251 [9:00AM to 5:00PM Sunday - Wednesday; 9:00AM to 6:00PM Thursday - Saturday] for upcoming check-ins.

Hours & Schedule

OPEN DAILY
MONKIDO AERIAL ADVENTURE check-ins from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. 
Book online or call Guest Services at 1-855-595-2251 [9:00AM to 5:00PM Sunday - Wednesday; 9:00AM to 6:00PM Thursday - Saturday] for upcoming check-ins.

Rules of Play
Read our Monkido® Aerial Adventure description for important Element access information, including age, height, and waiver requirements.

Pricing

MONKIDO AERIAL ADVENTURE

ClassicAges 12+$42.99
BuddyAges 7-11 with an adult in the trees$35.99 per guest
KidsAges 7-13$22.99

WHAT'S TO FEAR JUMP

Single WTF JumpAges 7+$19.99
Monkido add-onAges 7+$14.99
Season Passholders




Saturday, 21 June 2014

GOODBYE SAME OL' SUMMER ACTIVITY - HELLO HYAK RIVER RAFTING


This is a special summer episode on 
                                                      
MOTHERPRENEUR TV
Information, Inspiration + Adventure from me to you!







Monday 9 AM: Goodbye dear family, I am off for the day! I am going rafting, me, myself and 14 strangers. 
Mind you, I know this lovely gentleman, Ricky Shetty, aka the daddyblogger:


In between listening to our first briefing, signing waiver forms and changing into our wetsuits and splash jackets we are getting to know one another:

                                       
                                       
And this is us, all dressed up and ready to raft:                                                                                    



It is a 20 minute bus ride to our starting point along the Chilliwack river! 
"We are going on a summer holiday..." (say it like Cliff Richard would sing it...WHO? Click here to find out).


Sorry, let's get back on track...shall we?

As soon as we arrive at our allocated spot we receive our safety instructions because SAFETY is KING:





     Photo: courtesy of James Chung, Hello Vancity
 
This is what we are getting ourselves into, literally:
 


And here we are still smiling! Two fellow bloggers ready to rock the boat!


Let's get in- and on it - exciting:

Photo: Thank you James Chung
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Photo: James Chung

Oops, and where is everybody? Here we are:

Photo: Ready to WIN? I'm giving away a FREE White Water Rafting trip thanks to Hyak River Rafting. 

Enter Here: http://dearjessica.ca/winatripwhitewaterrafting/


Take a look at this awesome video! It feels like you are sitting in the boat with us, doesn't it?

 


After our first hour we make a pit stop. We get off the boat, wade through shrubbery, climb up some stairs and voila, more water: A gorgeous waterfall opens up in front of us!


Photo: Thank you James Chung

Is it possible to get wetter than wet if you sit or stand directly underneath a waterfall? Have a look, these guys are testing it out!

Time to go back, climb back on board; more paddling, more rapids
and then, time to refuel!  A smorgasbord full of goodies, sweets and drinks is waiting for us:


           These three photos, courtesy of Ricky Shetty




It's only over when it's over, and our guides keep the best for last! Our boats hit the big grade 4 rapids (they range from 1 to 6; and 6 means suicide - enough said). 
We need to pay attention here: Whoever sits in the front of the boat gets soaked, the guys in the back get a 'beat'n and getting soaked...but not as bad as in the front! Therefore I have no photos from this stretch!
 
Help, Man overboard!
Just kidding, this was a fun swim at the end of the afternoon!
Thank you James Chung for another lovely photo!
                                                 
Oh no, all good things must come to an end!

 
 

Now, let's hear it from you. I know you have a few questions. Let's get them off your chest:


"Can I take my children?"

Take a look at this short clip to find out what Jared Minty, rafting guide, director of marketing and father of 5 has to say about bringing kids:



"Why is rafting with Hyak so much better than a conventional amusement / water / adventure park?"
First of all you don't need to wait in line to enjoy your ride. Your thrill with HYAK starts the moment you set foot into your boat.
You spend the day in real nature, not man-made nature.
You don't need to search or pay for your parking spot. Hyak runs a daily pick-up and drop-off service from Burnaby or any major downtown Vancouver hotel. If you drive directly to Chilliwack you can leave your car at their premises, free of charge.

"What happens if I forget anything e.g. water shoes or a waterproof camera?"
The guys at Hyak have a small assortment of goodies for us to purchase.




"I want to go, my family doesn't, what can I do?"
Well, get together with a few of your friends, go alone or join one of your local meet up groups. That's how I ended up her. I joined YVRbloggers (facebook) or here on Meet-Up. Remember, everybody is a stranger until you meet them!

And here is my special something from me and Hyak to you:
HURRAH! You can win one of these amazing rafting trips! Make sure you enter the draw right here! I keep my fingers crossed for you...toi,toi,toi! (German for Good Luck).
 
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/296a1b23/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
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