There's a new sport called canyoning in Shanghai, and you can go abseiling (that's the part that involves descending a cliff using ropes) and li-loing (this is where you skim through the air) to your heart's content.

All you need is nerves of steel.

Canyoning originated in Europe in the early 1980s, introduced by the 72 Outdoors Club, and quickly spread to the US.

The club is planning to organize the first canyoning team in China to conquer Tiantai Mountain, in neighboring Zhejiang Province.

According to James Wei, marketing manager of 72 Outdoors Club, there are two types of canyons - open canyons and slot canyons.

Open canyons are those with nearby waterfalls. Participants can climb down from the top of the cliff with the aid of ropes that sometimes extend up to 60 meters.

Wei said that their team will canyon at Flying Dragon Waterfall of Tiantai Mountain. The waterfall and the mountain form a natural open canyon.

Slot canyons are comprised of deep, narrow, wet and dark sections. Canyon sections can be as narrow as several feet. Tunnel swims, water jumps, tricky climbs down, and abseiling down waterfalls into dark caverns all add to the excitement of slot canyons.

"We sincerely welcome those who love challenging sports and have some experience in rock-climbing to take part in our team," Wei said.

He added that 72 Outdoors Club will offer chances to courageous sports lovers who do not have experience. Participants will be given two warm-up exercises in rock-climbing at an indoor stadium before heading for Tiantai Mountain.

The coaches of 72 Outdoors Club will select team members from people who register in the warm-up program.

If those with no experience can match the requirements of the sport, 72 Outdoors Club will also grant membership to beginners. Only 15 people will be chosen for the Tiantai Mountain trip, but the club has received many more inquiries.

(Shanghai Star 03/29/2001)