Go The Distance

Overcoming his fear of water at 30 unlocked a new world of adventure, leading Rizal Khalif to undertake the most challenging expedition of his life.

- Joceline Yan

He’s been having epic adventures of his own since he was 13 — travelling across the country via the overcrowded “mel malam” or “mel siang” train services but it wasn’t until he was 30 that he achieved full freedom, when he conquered his phobia of water. Resolute to not be stuck in the “all work and no play” humdrum of life, and even more motivated after the unfortunate death of a colleague, Rizal Khalif is now a white-water raft guide, has rode thousands of kilometres across South East Asia, scaled multiple volcanoes and is currently learning how to fly. He recently became the first Malaysian to join the Fjällräven Polar expedition, a 300km journey by dogsled through the Arctic wilderness.

Would you say conquering your fear of water was the beginning of a new life?