SAFRA AVventura introduces new challenges to cater to novices and families

Tough and gruelling. Expect the unexpected. These are two phrases that many have used to describe Singapore’s largest x-terrain adventure race, the SAFRA AVventura. The event was so tough that some participants could not even complete the challenging 51km race route on foot, bike and kayak earlier this year.

However, for its fifth edition, SAFRA AVventura will be returning on 23 January 2011 with a series of new challenges featuring staggered levels of difficulty to cater to more novices, younger adventure enthusiasts and even families.

Those new to adventure racing can now compete in the Sprint category with a shorter race distance of 30km. Students aged 15 to 18 years old can also take on the shorter race route in the Inter-school Challenge, which replaces the former Youth category. Seasoned adventure racers craving for the event’s renowned brand of uncompromising torturous difficulty can still put their skills and endurance to the ultimate test in the Ultra category which will feature the gruelling race distance of up to 50km.

Mr Jispal Singh, Chairman of the Organising Committee for SAFRA AVventura 2011, commented: “Some of the female and younger participants have given us feedback in the past two years that they have found the race to be too tough. With the introduction of the new Sprint category, they can now compete over a shorter race distance. It is also a good trial platform for novices who are participating in adventure racing for the first time. Once they have built up their level of fitness and endurance, and are more prepared, they can challenge themselves to the full distance in the Ultra category.”

A new category for father and child with a race route of up to 10km has also been introduced to encourage family bonding among NSmen and their kids. Open to children as young as 8 to 15 years old, this will be the only adventure race in Singapore catering to kids that age – under parental supervision, of course. Father and child teams can expect to attempt fun challenges such as the Canopy Challenge Walk at SAFRA Yishun, a series of mystery tests and other traditional games.

Mr Jispal Singh added: “Many of our NSmen are fathers and some of them have active kids who are already into various sports. This is a unique opportunity for them to participate in a challenging and fun-filled outdoor race together, through which they can learn teamwork and bond as they navigate their way through the different terrain and overcome a series of challenges. It will not be too difficult for them.”

Registration closes on 31 Dec 2010. The last edition of the event held in January this year attracted some 274 participants. For more information, log on to the event website at www.safra.sg/avventura.