Gear up for the great outdoors
FROM tough, blunt-tipped parang for camp chores to cosy motorhomes, The Great Outdoor Expo 2024 happening at the end of this month will bowl you over with a plethora of gear for all your adventuring needs.

If you have been shopping for outdoor gear online like most people, this is your chance to see, touch and even try out the goods yourself.

Campers and hikers can even taste the offerings of myChef, the expo’s official MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat).

Just heat the packs in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes and you will have a hot meal ready wherever you may be.

Hygienically prepared, hermetically sealed and free of preservatives, you can choose from a variety of nutritious meals including Nasi Briyani Kambing, Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin and Nasi Goreng Cina, and save yourself a major undertaking to cook at camp from scratch.

Those who are into glamping (glamourous camping) will want to see the special tents displayed by Tensioned Fabric Structure Sdn Bhd (TFS) which are nearly impervious to the elements and perfect for campsites where luxury and comfort is the name of the game.

And if camping with all the bells and whistles matter to you, visit the expo’s Bluetti booth to see a wide range of portable power stations.

Anglers aboard Rivix inflatable boats, casting for fish under a bridge.

Packing as much as 2,400 watts and over 2,000 watt-hours, you will have the juice to power your portable freezer, refrigerator or even mini air-conditioner, recharge every device for your family members and friends, and even use your hair dryer at camp.

The expo, proudly presented by Star Media Group, takes place at Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam from May 31 to June 2, starting from 10am daily.

Kawasaki will be there to highlight the Versys, its family of adventure touring motorcycles with on-road and off-road capabilities.

The latest Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 160LX-S that boasts a 1,498cc engine and seating capacity for three will also be on display.

A family relaxing by their Sunshine RV motorhome near the island-end of the second Penang bridge.

For those who want to hit the road in style, Sunshine RV from Penang will invite you to step into its custom-built motorhomes at the expo, where there will be four motorhomes to view.

Director Keith Harrison said that he had been building motorhomes in Australia for about 40 years before moving to Penang two years ago and doing the same.

He said Sunshine RV’s motorhomes are built on pickup trucks, and you can rent them for RM1,500 a day, or cheaper if you rent for longer periods.

For those wanting to own one, he said it would cost between RM260,000 and RM400,000, depending on features.

For outdoors folk who stay on their feet a lot, Original Footwear will be at the expo.

A glamping bell tent built by TFS.

This American company has been making high-quality footwear since 1969 for law enforcement officers, military operators and emergency first responders, and feature brands including Altama, Original S.W.A.T., Smith & Wesson and CAPPS.

Penang-based Thomas Tools, a leading tactical and survival equipment distributor since 2013, will feature a range of MyParang blades, Bibury multi-tools and other outdoor gear.

Divers will be glad to know that Scubaholics Anonymous, one of Malaysia’s top providers of scuba gear, underwater imaging equipment and diving courses, will be present at The Great Outdoor Expo too.

Also for those who love the water, Rivix will display four inflatable boat models, namely the Ranger Drift, Ranger Valley, Extreme Emergency and Commando Curl.

These inflatables are not simple playthings.

The interior of a glamping dome tent built by TFS.

The Extreme Emergency model, for one, is used by Malaysia’s firemen and first responders for flood rescue operations.

The seams are heat welded for absolute leak-proofing. They have aluminium flooring and seat boards, and their transoms are tough enough for you to clamp on an outboard engine.

Rising high above everything else at the expo is the 8m-tall tower of the Delta Rovers, where you can experience wall-climbing, flying fox and abseiling.

Designed to help you strengthen your limbs, improve bodily coordination and maybe even overcome a fear of heights, the wall for climbing is 6m tall and 4m wide while the flying fox cable will have you zipping through the air for about 60m.

This tower will be indoors, away from the heat and rain.

A Delta Rovers wall-climbing tower.

Delta Rovers will also set up an archery range.

Designed for first-timers to experience drawing a recurve bow, you will loose a foam-tipped arrow from a distance of 6m at a target the size of a tennis ball.

The Great Outdoor Expo 2024 will also feature fun sports simulators through which visitors can experience the thrill of various sports in a safe and controlled environment.

Sports coaching sessions will be available as well, allowing participants to improve their skills and learn from experienced coaches.

For those eager to explore outdoor living, Campers Village bookings are now open.

Located at the Oval Lawn next to the expo grounds, Campers Village offers a unique opportunity to experience camping in the heart of the city with a range of amenities and activities, including camper night markets and campfire sessions.

Book your camp spot now at https://escabee.com/tgo2024 for an unforgettable outdoor experience.

There are too many goodies to list; the only way to appreciate them all is to walk into The Great Outdoor Expo 2024 and meet all the exhibitors to behold the gear and services for you to enjoy on your next adventure.
StarExtra
FROM tough, blunt-tipped parang for camp chores to cosy motorhomes, The Great Outdoor Expo 2024 happening at the end of this month will bowl you over with a plethora of gear for all your adven­turing needs.