TUMPAT - While most teenagers are busy with gadgets and online games, three young friends have chosen a different hobby, pursuing the extreme sport of tree climbing.
Putri Nur Aisyah Mohamad Rizal, 14, Nur Husna Safiya Mohd Zulhusmi, 13, and her younger sister, Nur Hanis Syuhada Mohd Zulhusmi, 11, have been participating in the activity since the age of seven.
Putri Nur Aisyah, from Kampung Batu 14 in Hulu Langat, Selangor, shared that her interest began when she frequently accompanied her father, who is passionate about the sport.
"At first, I wasn’t interested. I was afraid. But after receiving encouragement and support from my parents, I gathered the courage.
"The first tree I climbed was 15 metres tall, in Kajang, Selangor, after receiving training from the Malaysia Tree Climbing Association (MTCA) and my father,” she told Bernama during a recent interview in Teluk Renjuna.
The eldest of three siblings said that, besides training from MTCA coaches, safety protocols were a key factor that encouraged her continued involvement.
"I was trained to build muscle and leg endurance for climbing, as well as tree descent techniques, which require strong balance. We were also provided with special equipment like ropes, gloves and safety helmets,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nur Husna Safiya shared that she gets a sense of joy from successfully climbing to the top of a tree.
"At first, I felt dizzy and scared. As soon as I reached the top, I just wanted to come down quickly. But once I got used to it, that feeling disappeared. Now I want to stay up there longer because it feels satisfying to have made the climb,” she explained.
As for Nur Hanis Syuhada, tree climbing is much more rewarding than playing online games.
"I started challenging myself after seeing my sister successfully climb a tree. This sport is fun because it’s a great way to work out, and I’ve also made many new friends among the members of MTCA," she said.
Meanwhile, Putri Nur Aisyah’s mother, Siti Hawa Yahya, 41, shared that although she was initially worried about her daughter’s safety, her concerns eased once she learned that the training was conducted professionally by experienced coaches.
"This activity has not only taught my child to handle emergencies with discipline, but it has also built her self-confidence and given her exposure to communicate with people from all walks of life,” she added.- BERNAMA