From computer expert to dashing adventurer. WONG YING SIM finds out why a Frenchman abandoned his dull life in front of the computer monitor for sky-high thrills in Malaysia.
GRINNING like a delighted kid who’s just experienced his first heart-thumping roller-coaster ride, the tall, lean Frenchman knew that this was the moment that would change his life. He was 31, hovering a perilous 12 metres above the ground, with the wind in his chiselled face, hopping and flying from one tree to another. He’d never felt more alive. This is where he wanted to be. This is what he wanted to do.
Until then, Julien Repellin had spent his days in a stuffy office in grey England, grappling with the usual mind-boggling problems that all software engineers face. Except for the occasional exhilarating rock climb, it was all he’d done since graduation. But that experience in the trees in the south of France left him breathless and wanting more. He worked on fulfilling another dream, one that would challenge him both mentally and physically.
Five years later, it came true. Goodbye, Europe! Hello, Malaysia!
Taking a sip of his favourite mixed fruit juice with aloe vera bits in it, Repellin recalled how he came to build Skytrex Adventure, where people “jungle trek up in the air” somewhat like how Tarzan swings from tree to tree. This includes walking across a netting, crossing zigzag bridges, clambering over the big net and “flying” from one tree to another with a “flying fox” device, all at heights of three metres and up to 17 metres.
It all started when a friend from Malaysia invited him to come for a holiday. “Voila! Malaysia turned out to be a perfect place,” Repellin said with his strong French accent.
He couldn’t help but think of the possibility of building his own high rope course circuit in Malaysia because “the weather and rainforest are excellent”. Repellin went back to France, to the park where he had worked after leaving his job in Britain, and learnt the skills he needed to manage and to build his own course. He shuttled back and forth between France and Malaysia while seeking a suitable park for a high-rope adventure course.
He found it in the agriculture park in Bukit Cahaya, Shah Alam two years later. By then Repellin had mastered the skills, obtained the knowledge, set his target and was ready to quit his job in France.
Before building the circuit, experts from
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia carried out a forest survey and tree selection for him. Then, with the help of two well-trained rangers, who are also instructors at the park now, they built the high-rope circuit. Work began in October last year and the team took half a year to complete the first circuit. They took another three months to obtain safety certification from Apave, the main body of control for high-rope course and rock climbing equipment in France.
“Finally,
Skytrex was officially launched in June,” Repellin said. “You enjoy the activity, you learn to appreciate and love the nature.” Repellin believes that high-rope course is a good way to overcome the fear of heights because the course is safe, with protective equipment provided all participants.
“You know, it’s nice to nudge them a bit because nothing will happen to them, we’ve taken care of all the safety.”
Now, Repellin and his team are working on their second course, for children, to be ready when school holidays begin this month.
Skytrex Adventure is located at
Taman Pertanian Malaysia , Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam, Shah Alam. It is open on weekends and public holidays from 9am to 5pm. The course consists of 23 trails which will take one into the jungle for up to two hours without touching the ground. Entry fee to Skytrex Adventure is RM35 for adults and RM25 for children. For more information, check our directory.
Destinations 
Skytrex Adventure 
