punggol waterway Archives - A Winsome Life

People’s Association Water-Venture Reservoir Discovery Series 2014

By delta July 14, 2014

A few weekends ago, I completed the 4th and final leg of the Reservoir Discovery Series [RDS] that was organised by the People’s Association [PA] Water-Venture and I had an enjoyable time with other fellow kayakers.

The final leg of the RDS took place at Kallang and the journey that we had to kayak was 10KM in total. From the PA Water-Venture Centre at Kallang, we kayaked to different checkpoints such as the Singapore Sports Hub, Gardens By The Bay, and had numerous opportunities for some awesome photographs with the city skyline as the backdrop.

The advantage of kayaking in the reservoirs is that the waters are relatively clean and you need not worry about getting saltwater into your eyes. Also, the waters in the reservoir are quite calm and easy to kayak without needing much force; unlike in the sea waters where you have to paddle against strong tidal waves.

If you are new to kayaking and would like to explore it as a new hobby or sport, the RDS is very suitable because the pace is slow and the distance is manageable. The kayaking route is sub-divided into various checkpoints so that kayakers can take a breather to hydrate themselves and appreciate the beautiful scenery.

Safety is a top priority at RDS and great care is exercised by the instructors to ensure that the kayakers are paddling safely. In fact, a safety and conducting brief is done prior to the activity so that all participants are aware of the kayaking route and the safety measures in place.

Since we were kayaking on the day that the National Day Parade Rehearsal was taking place, we had a glimpse of the canons that were used for the 21-gun salute.

The RDS is frequently organised by PA Water-Venture and if you would like to find out more about the programmes and activities that PA Water-Venture is organising, do “like” PA Water-Venture’s Facebook Page!

Lastly, don’t worry if you are enrolling for the RDS alone. You will be paired up with another kayaker and you will get to meet new friends like I did!

Happy Kayaking Everyone!

Kayak & Experience Singapore’s Reservoirs @ PA Water-Venture’s Reservoir Discovery Series

By delta May 26, 2014

Recently, we had the opportunity to participate in the PA Water-Venture’s Reservoir Discovery Series and we had such an extremely unique experience that we just could not wait to rave about it.

The People’s Association Water Venture [PA Water-Venture] Reservoir Discovery Series [RDS] is an annual kayaking series which provides a recreational platform for those with no kayaking certification or kayaking experience to pick up the sport and gain water confidence along the way.

Back for its third instalment, RDS 2014 will feature four kayaking trips at four different reservoirs each week from 17 May 2014 to 28 June 2014.

5km paddle at Jurong Lake, 17 May 2014, Completed
6km paddle at Punggol Waterway, 31 May 2014, Still Available for Sign-Up
8km paddle at Lower Seletar, 14 June 2014, Still Available for Sign-Up
10km finale at Kallang River, 28 June 2014, Still Available for Sign-Up

Being a seasoned kayaker ourselves [we have previously done a Round Island Kayaking Expedition with the National Cadet Corps a decade ago], we daresay that the RDS is relatively simple for anyone whom has absolutely zero kayaking experience. Even though the distance to kayak might seem a little bit intimidating at first, the pace at which the whole kayaking session is being carried out is relatively manageable.

Furthermore, the waters at the reservoir is relatively calm with little disturbance and hence allows beginners to kayak smoothly. Just in case you are wondering, the RDS is also suitable for children. The minimum age for the RDS is 10 years old, as of 1 Jan 2014 and the child must be accompanied by an adult at all times and shall put on a personal floatation device that is of good fit while on the water.

We participated in the first leg of the RDS at Jurong Lake and the distance that we had to kayak was 5 kilometres [KM]. There, we got to enjoy the scenic sights and we also learnt about the history of the Jurong Lake.

Yup, we saw a giant lizard feeding on its prey.

We also saw birds nesting in the trees.

We had the rare opportunity to kayak in the waters at the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden.

The upcoming second leg of the RDS will be taking place at the Punggol Waterway this Saturday, 31 May 2014, from 0930am to 1230pm and if you are interested to participate, do sign up early as vacancies are limited!

You can register for the RDS via https://one.pa.gov.sg/ and search for “Reservoir Discovery Series” under “Activity”.

If you are a Passion Card Member, you are entitled to a 5% discount off the public rate. Upon completion of each leg of the RDS, you will also receive a finisher medal.

The great outdoors and scenic kayaking routes will be a fun and exciting time for you to bond with your family and friends and the calm reservoir waters will also provide an excellent opportunity for you to pick up a new sport and practice the basic techniques of kayaking.

As for us, we will be participating in the third and last leg of the RDS and if you happen to be there, say “hi” to us and smile for our camera!

Till we meet our kayak again!

Inaugural Fun Race At The 12th Singapore Canoe Marathon Raises S$40,000 For The Para-Canoeing Community

By delta January 12, 2014

The 12th Singapore Canoe Marathon ended today amidst several firsts. Organised for the first time in the heartlands at Anchorvale Community Club since its inception in 1999, it also introduced an inaugural fun race, which attracted over 100 participants of all ages and raised S$40,000 for the para-canoeing community.

Co-organisers Singapore Canoe Federation [SCF] and People’s Association [PA] Water-Venture also organised try-out sessions along the Punggol Waterway for the community to learn the sport from Team Singapore athletes and bond with families and friends at the same time.

Mr Ang Hak Seng (BBM), Chief Executive Director of People’s Association, who participated in the fun race said, “Canoeing has become more accessible with this new location and the introduction of the fun race. Through our efforts, we hope to offer families and friends an additional lifestyle option for them to bond, have fun and enjoy our beautiful waterways.”

In a strong show of support towards the para-canoeing community, the event saw Mr Tan Chuan Jin, Acting Minister for Manpower and Adviser to Marine Parade GRC Grassroots Organisations, Mr Desmond Lee, Minister of State for National Development and Adviser to the SCF and Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations, and Mr Nicholas Fang, Nominated Member of Parliament, teaming up with an athlete each from Team Singapore Canoeing and staff from the PA to paddle a total of 40km for a good cause.

For every metre paddled by them, a group of donors pledged a dollar to fund the development of a para-canoeing programme which will be administered by the SCF. This programme will enable athletes with physical disabilities to enjoy the sport by sponsoring the purchase of their equipment such as specially modified kayaks.

A potential beneficiary of the programme is Mr Tan Hun Boon, who has been canoeing for a year. He said, “Canoeing is a demanding sport. Through paddling, we constantly challenge ourselves to improve every session. This is something people of all physical capabilities can identify with. We are really grateful to the Singapore Canoe Federation, PA Water-Venture and all donors for their continued support for our passion.”

“We are delighted to be able to contribute in this way to the development of the para-canoeing programme. This is a very good cause, as sports is a very powerful enabler. It is also very heartening to see the community actively contributing, participating and giving back,” said Mr Desmond Lee, after paddling 10km along Punggol Waterway.

On top of the fun race and the public try-outs, a total of 600 participants also took part in the one day canoeing competition that was organised across four different categories. It definitely was a fruitful and meaningful day for all the participants whom participated in the event at the Punggol Waterway.

As our new home is situated near the Punggol Waterway, both Jacqueline and I are pretty excited about moving in next year and we certainly look forward to participating in more activities organised at the Punggol Waterway.