over the edge

Last week I got a phone call from the local SES unit. Turns out they have memories like elephants.

Just over a month ago when I was very jetlagged I abseilled all of two metres in the SES Headquarters. The radio story ended up having the word 'wedgie' in it ooooooh at least four times I'd say.

Once I'd conquered my fear of little heights (no joke), they said, "Next time we head at to Suma Park Dam for some training, we'll let you come along abseiling."

Last week's phone call was making good on that promise. Monday night, 7.30pm. I said I'd come along, because hey, if I didn't end up abseiling at least I'd be able to see the dam (read: pond).

So I rocked up to SES HQ last night. I think they were surprised that I'd actually turfed up. To be quite honest, so was I.

I told them I wouldn't 'go over' (as they say) unless I got to wear the orange overalls. They handed me the overalls, hard, hat and gloves and off we went.

Unless you count the two metre midget abseil from a month ago, I'd never 'gone over' before. Don't get me wrong, I've had the opportunity many times before, but I've always wimped out.

I thought, "Why not go all out on your first proper abseil? Down a dam wall at night."

Yep. A night abseil. I was crapping myself just thinking about it.

But on the other hand, I was abseiling with the SES - if anyone knew how to be safe it would be them. And if anything went wrong they would at least know how to rescue me.

The SES in Orange are a rag-tag bunch of outdoorsy people and nerdy young people and the sensible elders heading up the whole operation. Think Scouts for adults and you're on the right track.

On the way to the dam I mentioned I was a little apprehensive, Blue (one of the aforementioned elders) said, "Of course you are. Our primitive human brains can't handle the concept of walking backwards over a wall."

Great. My primitive human brain was rallying against me.

So anyway, on went the harness (no promise of wedgies this time around), making sure it's tight enough. Then I got clipped onto the rope.

It was all going way too fast. No time to psych myself out of doing it.

A blue box was dragged over for me to step up and over the railing.

Going over the edge is the hardest part and not just in a primitive brain sense. The tension on the rope is at it's tightest as you're going over, so you feel as though you're not going anywhere fast.

Once you're over, it's just a matter of keeping your body at a right angle to the wall and lowering yourself.

They even got me to do that thing where you put your hands on your head and pose for a happy snap. The photo didn't really turn out, but it was good fun.

Once I got to the bottom everyone cheered, I got a few high fives. The phrase 'SES application form' came up more than once.

Next time they go abseiling, it's going to be off the back of the diving tower at the swimming pool.

I might pass on that one.