SIBU: This town has made its mark on the world map after having successfully organised the annual BASE Jump 2014.
An aerial view of Sibu sprawling beneath a jumper as he leaps off the tallest building of Sarawak, Wisma Sanyan.
Forty-five jumpers from across the globe left for home yesterday, bringing with them memories of the town’s warm hospitality.
Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee was all smiles as the jumpers showed their thumbs-up for what they described as “the most well-organised BASE Jump in the world” and the “warmest townsfolk they have ever met”.
“They (jumpers) have been to many countries to jump – they said the Sibu hosting had been the best,” he enthused.
“This is another tourism factor that has always been making visitors amazed at Sibu.”
However, he was slightly disturbed by the three accidents that occurred last Saturday.
“Two jumpers were slightly hurt; but they are well now. The third, a Canadian, was hospitalised due to a fractured leg. He will not be able to get into the extreme sport for some time – not until he is well again.”
Sim, who is also Sibu Division Tourism Task Group chairman, said he did not now about the accidents till he was told about them upon his return here on Sunday, adding that he had yet to hear reports from his task group – the body that hosted the Sibu BASE Jump.
In saying this, he assured all that his group had thoroughly looked into all aspects of safety throughout the three-day event, which ended on Sunday.
“We even had teams from the Fire and Rescue Department, as well as paramedics on hand. The jumpers were pleased with such efficient services.”
Noting that at least a dozen of jumpers were those who participated in previous editions, Sim said most of them would gladly return here for the next outing.
Moreover he expected that it would get bigger as there had been increased interest in the extreme sport among locals.
“However, I do not think that we are able to host a bigger meet, as we may have to limit participation to only 45 – the number of jumpers we had this year.
“Anything more than that would result in jumpers not having much time to enjoy the numerous leaps off Wisma Sanyan.
According to Sim, this proposal came from his task group.
“Nevertheless we would have to talk to our technical adviser before confirming anything.”
Jumpers taking part in the sixth edition of Sibu BASE Jump came from Malaysia, Finland, France, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, the US, Poland, Austria, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, Sweden, Ukraine, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Switzerland.
On the rising popularity of Sibu BASE Jump, Sim vowed that the town would continue to host it annually.
“We hope the townsfolk would continue helping us on this and making friends with our visitors.”
Sim said there were a crowd of thousands at any one time in Sibu Town Square when the sport event from Friday to Sunday was held.