Exciting Sensation of Adventure in the Kali Badeng

SURYA.co.id | BANYUWANGi - Kali Badeng is one of the potential travel destinations in East Java. it is located in Desa Sumber Bulu, Kecamatan Songgon, Kabupaten Banyuwangi, Kali Badeng is a river with strong currents with small and big stones that flow from Mount Raung. The scenery is also very greeny pine forest alongside the river.

What does Kali Badeng provide? The answer is tubing. Yes , tubing that well-known as body-rafting is a quite extreme water sport. It is also known as body rafting. The unique thing is the usage of used inner tubes in this strong current stream. But do not worry, just like other kinds of rafting, you have to use safety equipment, such as helmet, life jacket, and feet protector.

Moreover, each tube is used for each person. Yusuf Sugiono, the manager of X-Badeng Tubing Adventure Team told that the idea of tubing in his village was initiated by a group of local young-adult in Sumber Bulu and consolidated with the local’s official.

“At first, the young-adult in Desa Sumber Bulu thought how to utilize the potential in our village, including saving the environment. Well, in the early March 2011, we began. In October 2011, the tubing was launched officially.”

On the first three months, Sugiono said that it was quick to make people interested in this extreme activity. From t people in general, youth organizations, schools, reporters, until departments under the local government are interested in doing this extreme sport. Moreover, other rafting management, such as Songa Adventure (Probolinggo) and Bosamba (Bondowoso), came here, also.

“In initial stage, we only had 4 tubes. Now, we have 40 tubes and the safety equipment. We have 30 crews from local young-adult, also.” he said.

According to Sugiono, most of the visitors come in weekend and in a group. “The minimal amount is 10 persons, if the visitors are less than 10 persons, we usually make them join with other visitors. In each group, there will be 10 guides. The minimum age for trying tubing is 7 years old. If the visitors are younger than that, we do not allow it. ”

There are three kinds of trip. They are Extreme 1 with 7 kilometers route with estimated time around 4-6 hours, Extreme 2 with 4 kilometers route with estimated time around 2-3 hours, and last but not least, Extreme 3 with 1.5 kilometers with estimated time around 1-1.5 hour.

“The admission is around Rp 40.000 until Rp 100.000 depends on which route that you choose. Well, most of the visitors choose Extreme 2. There are 10 raft spot that will be found if you choose Extreme 2 Route. Extreme, high, long, and strong current!”

Indra Setiawan, a visitors from Madiun, said that he came here with his friends in the weekend. “Holiday with a unique experience. Banyuwangi is known for its beach. I do not expect that Banyuwangi also has this kind of extreme travel destinations. I and my friends shouted while tubing. The scenery in each route is so stunning, especially the pine forest. It is really an extreme and fun sport, “ he said.

He said that he had done tubing twice before in Badeng. “The most amusing part is when doing the raft in the dam area. The height is around 3 meters. Furthermore, if you try once, you will want to try again. The sensation of doing tubing while seeing amazing scenery is unforgettable. Moreover, when you slide and fall is really unforgettable, “ he said.

“If you do not fall, your experience is incomplete, “ he said while laughing.

He added: “There will be a break spot in the dam. You could drink ginger tea and eat fried bananas”

If you interested to try tubing with the inner tube? You could come to Desa Sumber Bulu, Kecamatan Songgon, Kabupaten Banyuwangi. Make sure, you are in a good condition because you have to start from local residents’ houses, drive until the pine forest, bring the tube to the river, and do the tubing itself. Do not forget to bring mountain sandals, sunblock, and spare clothes. Have fun tubing in Badeng!



Translated by: Vicensa Naomi