Friday, June 5, 2009

About Waterfall Survivors

At a Glance

Waterfall Survivors is a social group founded on Facebook, the most popular online social networking service. It was single-handedly created on the social networking service in July 2008 by Ms Joe Yap, with an aim to meet others who get the same kick and excitement at the thunderous sound of crashing water in the tranquil setting of the rainforest like she does. The group has been active in organising regular waterfall expeditions ever since.

How it started … It all began with Joe’s maiden expedition to Kanching Waterfalls in Rawang Selangor, a waterfall she found online while searching for a perfect family outing venue. Her interest and passion for waterfalls and waterfall expeditions ballooned in no time. She continued her search for other waterfalls on Waterfalls Of Malaysia, a website founded by Khong Tuck Khoon and currently
maintained by Jan Stuivenberg, an expatriate with a passion on waterfalls in Malaysia. Unfortunately, most of her friends didn’t share the same passion - hence, Waterfall Survivors.
Her Mentor Guided by the website's well-documented information on the country's waterfalls, Joe started to organize waterfall trips for Waterfall Survivors. To get clearer directions for the waterfall expedition, she began to communicate with Stuivenberg. Sharing the same passion for the country’s waterfalls, they were quick to form a strong friendship. Joe soon took the expat as her mentor while she becomes a regular contributor of the Waterfalls of Malaysia website. Two-thousand and counting …

Waterfall Survivors organizes regular waterfall exploration trips which can be a day-tripper or an over-night excursion. The trips are done in a very friendly and casual fashion – meet, car-pool, trek, oohh and aahh(at the waterfalls) and back to civilization. Waterfall Survivors only charges a minimal administration fee while other costs transportation and meals – incurred throughout the journey are individual responsibility. Starting off with only herself as a member on 12th July 2008, Waterfall Survivors’ member count had achieved the 1,000-member mark on 3rd January 2009, barely five months after its inception. As of 12th May 2009, the count showed 2,150 members! MISSION To explore 118 waterfalls in Malaysia, as registered by the Waterfalls of Malaysia. To explore other unknown and unexplored waterfalls in Malaysia. To promote a healthy lifestyle among Malaysians while appreciating the beautiful nature. To create awareness on preserving our nature for the next generation. To bring Save Our Waterfalls Campaign around Malaysia. VISION To be among the top favourite outdoor-adventure groups in Malaysia, if not the best, specializing in Waterfalls. WATERFALL SURVIVORS EXPEDITIONS

Waterfall Survivors organizes regular waterfall exploration trips which can be a day-tripper or an over-night excursion. The trips are done in a very friendly and casual fashion – meet, car-pool, trek, oohh and aahh (at the waterfalls) and back to civilization. Waterfall Survivors only charges a minimal administration fee while other costs – transportation and meals – incurred throughout the journey are individual responsibility. Nonetheless, Waterfall Survivors doesn’t compromise on the safety of its expedition members. All expeditions are done in a professional manner. Each expedition will start with a recce trip by members with trekking experience, and appointed expedition leader and sweeper. The expeditions are usually equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit for accurate direction and walkie-talkie sets for smooth communication. Most of the Waterfall Survivors expeditions draw an average of 15 to 30 members which at times could grow to a staggering number of 65 members. The expeditions, which are widely published on Waterfall Survivors Group page on Facebook, are all open to both members and the public. One just needs to send his or her particulars, via email to waterfallsurvivors@hotmail.com or SMS to 019 678 7460. Events that Waterfall Survivors has organized as at May 31, 2009.

2009 May 30-31 - Lata Berembun May 23 - Chelik Falls May 17 - Sendat Upper Stream May 10 – Kedondong Falls May 9 – Gerumtum Falls May 3 – Lepok Falls May 1-3 – Buaya Sangkut, Upeh Guling,Tasik Biru Apr 26 – Sg Ampang Falls Apr 25 – Jeram Tengkek Apr 19- Save Our Waterfall Apr 12- Lata Yuk Apr 11-12 – Seminyang & Telemong Apr 6 - Jeram Perlus Apr 5 - Lata Khong Mar 28-29 - Berkelah Waterfalls Mar 21-22 - Seminyang & Telemong Mar 17 - Sendat Upper Streams Mar 15 - Chilling Falls Mar 7-9- Rainbow & Pandan Falls, Mar 6 - Jeram Perlus Mar 5 - Lata Khong Mar 1 - Perdik Falls Feb 22 - Kedondong Waterfall Feb 22 - Pisang Waterfall Feb 15 - Lata Puteh Falls Feb 9 - Chelik Falls Feb 8 - Ulu Tampit Falls Jan 18 - Bukit Apeh Falls Jan 17 - Strata Falls Jan 10-11 -Lower Trong Falls Jan 4 - Chemperoh Falls

2008 Dec 28 - Gerumtum Falls Dec 27- Lepok Falls Dec 21 - Jeram Perlus Dec 14 -Gapoi Falls & Latto Caruk Dec 13 – Kanching Falls Dec 6-7 – Lata Kijang Falls Nov 29 - Ulu Yam Falls Nov 23 - Tibang Falls Nov 15 - Strata Falls Nov 8 - Chiling Falls Oct 25 - Lata Berembun Oct 19 – Tanglir Falls Oct 11 - Jerangkang Falls Oct 5 - Siong Falls Oct 4 - Perdik Falls Oct 2 - Sungai Ampang Falls Sept 27-28 - Berkelah & Rainbow Falls Sept 14 - Strata Falls Sept 6 - Lata Hammer Aug 17 - Sg. Ampang Falls Aug 16 - Lata Khong Aug 9 - Jeram Perlus Aug 3 - Bukit Apeh Falls Aug 2 - Chiling Falls July 27 - Sg. Ampang Falls July 26 - Chamang Falls July 20 - Pisang Falls July 19 - Kanching Falls WATERFALL SURVIVORS MEMBERS With only one member on 12th July 2008, Waterfall Survivors member count had achieved the 1,000-member mark on 3rd January 2009, barely five months after its inception. As of 12th May 2009, the count showed 2,150 members! Anyone can join the Waterfall Survivors, as long as they enjoy the same passion – to leave the civilization for a day or two, and soak in the unassuming nature to find the powerful force and beauty of a waterfall. They don’t have to be hardcore trekkers or mountaineers, or super fit with an ironman stamina to be a member. They just need to be adventurous and daring – not to conquer the rough terrain, but more to meet and make new friends, and come along with an open mind and a bag full of sense of humour. Members Count 2009 May 12 – 2,150 Members Apr 1 – 1,669 Members Mar 5 – 1,437 Members Feb 7 - 1,205 members Jan 3 - 1,000 members Jan 1 - 993 members 2008 Dec 4 - 838 members Oct 30 - 657 members Oct 1 - 368 members Sept 15 - 253 members Aug 27 - 186 members Aug 15 - 114 members July 29 - 51 members July 13 - 8 members July 12 - 1 member WATERFALL SURVIVORS’ INFORMATION Telephone 019 678 7460 Email waterfallsurvivors@hotmail.com Website Waterfall Survivors @ Facebook Group Date Incepted on Facebook 12th July 2008 Reference Partner WATERFALLS OF MALAYSIA Official Footwear KEEN Footwear World Of Sports The Officers President Ms. Joe Yap Senior Vice President
Mr. Leo Khang Meng Vice President
Mr. Dominic Koo
Secretary Ms. Cindy Ho Creative Ms. Elliza Hashim Communications
Ms. Zalina Mohd Som
Legal Advisor Ms. Anne Cheong Advisor Mr. Jan Stuivenberg (Waterfalls of Malaysia) Committee Members Mr. Teoh Yew Aun Mr. Sonny San Ms. Liew Mun Tip Mr. Harris Yer Mr. Lim Siang Hui Mr. Harry Nian Mr. Aaron Chai Mr. Alvin Loo
Mr. Clarence Sim