Putrajaya, 5th and 6th December – In recent times, Putrajaya has seen its share of unique international events taking place within its confines. These include, among others hot air balloon carnivals, fireworks competitions, floral showcases, motorsports events, film festivals, watersport competitions and marathons, just to name a few. However, the weekend of 5th and 6th December saw Malaysia’s administrative capital playing host a whole new event altogether, which involved a massive 1000-foot waterslide lining Lebuh Wadi Ehsan.
The unprecedented weekend-affair was none other than Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia, organised by Monkey Theory Sdn. Bhd., in collaboration with Miss Event World, together with the support of Perbadanan Putrajaya. Officiated by Tan Sri Datuk Seri Azlani Dr M. Mahadevan, the event marked the debut of the global slip n’ slide phenomenon in Malaysia. Since its 2013 debut in the United States, Slide the City has developed an almost cult-like following worldwide, having reached more than two million people in major cities worldwide which include, among others, Japan and Hong Kong.
“It is really a joy to have Slide the City introduced to yet another major global destination. I think Putrajaya is the perfect place for the Malaysian debut of Slide the City, and I am confident Malaysians will certainly take well to this unique experience. Malaysia is truly such an amazing country with so much to offer with such warm and friendly people – the perfect setting for events such as Slide the City. I look forward to seeing Slide the City expand to other parts of Malaysia,” said T.R. Gourley, founder of Slide the City.
Having sold out tickets well ahead of time since it was announced in August, Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia drew in approximately 10,000 visitors over the two days, surpassing the expected number of visitors. Taking advantage of the school holidays, students and parents with their young children made up a significant portion of visitors, although the event did see its fair share of visitors from all walks of life, young and old alike.
Besides experiencing the slide, visitors were also seen taking advantage of the various other activities held during the carnival-like event which also featured live music, food trucks, games and a host of other activities set to offer fun for the whole family.
Although designed to be a fun event, Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia also championed a more serious and benevolent cause. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of passes were channelled towards National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) in support of patients suffering from kidney disease. Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia also aimed to raise awareness of obesity, targeting a healthy lifestyle in a fun and engaging event in which the whole family could participate. Receiving a mock cheque amounting to RM25,000.00 at the event was Chief Executive Officer of NKF, Mr. Chua Hong Wee.
NKF also held an organ donation drive and an exhibition at Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia, besides providing complimentary health screenings to visitors.
Spotted at Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia were local celebrities and influencers who rendered their support towards the event and the causes that it championed. These include Melissa Th’ng of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 1 fame; Nigel Chin, Winner of CLEO’s Most Eligible Bachelor competition 2015 and Kash Azim, winner of Men’s Health Cover Guy February 2015.
The idea to bring Slide the City to Malaysia was initiated by Monkey Theory Sdn. Bhd., consisting of a group of eight aspiring young minds led by the able guidance of entrepreneur Leong Delon. Although young, Monkey Theory is not without experience, having successfully organised and implemented other notable events in the country.
“Initiating something that has never been done in Malaysia such as Spritzer Slide the City certainly came with its own challenges, but we truly believe Malaysians would enjoy a unique event such as this – and we’re blessed with such tremendous support and response,” said Leong Delon, founder and CEO of Monkey Theory Sdn. Bhd.
“There were many factors that needed to be considered, including the safety of participants and environmental responsibility. In this regard, the slide and water systems were designed with safety in mind with minimal environmental impact,” he added while explaining that the giant, three-lane waterslide was designed to use recycled water safely and efficiently throughout the duration of the event with minimal water loss.
Leong also emphasised that the event will be repeated in various other locations across Malaysia in 2015. Members of the public can currently pre-register their interest to participate in these future instalments of Slide the City in Malaysia by logging on to http://slidethecity.asia/.
Together with Spritzer as title sponsor, Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia is jointly sponsored by NIVEA Sun, Uber, MY FM, ERA fm, hitz fm, GoPro and Playboy Condoms as official sponsors while MaxMan.TV served as the event’s official online partner.
For more information on Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia, visit Spritzer Slide the City Malaysia’s official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/slidethecitymalaysia/).
