From kayaking and surfing to mermaid school, these water sports are making a splash here in Singapore. Dive in, kids!
Growing up on an island, and in a city where public pools are fantastic, it makes sense to teach our kids to be safe around water as early as possible here in Singapore. But once our water babies have mastered their swimming lessons, and are looking to try out a new skill, it might be time to dip your toe into a new challenge. Water sports in Singapore aren’t just about kayaking or surfing, either: kids can get into dragon boating and even mermaid school for more aquatic adventures!
The Singapore Mermaid School
Yep you read that right: there is a school for mermaids and it’s right here in Singapore! There’s no age limit on making your little prince or princess’ dream of becoming a real life Neptune or Ariel come true; the School just asks that kids can swim at least 15 metres with a flotation device, and tread water for 10 seconds. Keep an eye out for holiday workshops or book the kiddos private mermaid lessons so you can dive along with them. The sessions are perfect for growing kids’ confidence in the water, and have the added bonus of being a great workout for mum’s abs and glutes too! Win, win!
87 Science Park Drive, Singapore, e. [email protected]; www.themermaidsyrena.com
Constant Wind (sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and kite surfing)
Make a splash over at Changi coast, where you will find the one-stop sea sports centre, Constant Wind. High sea adventures for kids age nine and above include sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and even kite surfing! Stand Up Paddle (SUP) lessons are also available, and the reasonably priced SUP beginner class costs from $25 for an hour. We also love that this place is along one of the more quiet parts of our coastline: wide open spaces for all that sea sport fu! For the landlubbers, stay firmly on dry land at the on-site cafe, where you can watch the kids having a whale of a time while munching on local and international food fare.
11 Changi Coast Walk, Singapore 499740, p. 6445 5108, e. [email protected]; www.constantwind.com
Wave House, Sentosa
Surf’s up! We’re always looking for an excuse to head over to Sentosa with the kids, and the Wave House is the perfect hangout for little dudes and dudettes who fancy trying a spot of surfing. Pack your rashies and goggles and then choose your wave: the Double Flowrider provides bodyboarding fun suitable for beginners and younger kids while the Flowbarrel is geared towards the more experienced (or braver!) riders (we’re talking 100,000 gallons of water per minute being pumped out at 30mph!). Check the website for session times so that your kiddos can catch the right wave.
Wave House Sentosa, 36 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore 099007; www.wavehousesentosa.com
Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA)
This may well be the coolest water sport there is here in Singapore, and the good news is that our older kids can learn this traditional team sport too! This is not a rock-up and learn kind of deal though; kids from age 14 will need a grown-up to apply for the training through their school, registered club or society. Two-hour sessions include rental of the boat, equipment, trainer plus steer person, and costs start at $224.70 per boat (for min 4 paddlers per boat). Bookings need to be made at least two weeks in advance by emailing [email protected], and kids will set sail with their team from the Kallang Water Sports Centre.
Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA), 10 Stadium Lane, Singapore 397774; www.sdba.org.sg
The Dive Company
Although there may not be a huge amount to see under the seas surrounding Singapore (maybe the odd drowned shipping container?), we are very lucky to be so close to a heap of amazing dive spots around South East Asia. And we say it’s never too early to get our nippers learning an adventure sport like diving! Dinky-divers will love the PADI Bubblemaker sessions at The Dive Company, which are suitable for kids from age eight and up. Water confidence is essential but being an Olympian swimmer is not: the maximum depth they will go to on these lessons is six feet, and no previous experience is necessary. Sessions cost $160 per child, will last around two hours, plus kids will be rewarded with a take-home pack stuffed with goodies including a kid-sized beach towel, log book, certificate, temporary tattoo emblem and a Bubblemaker action figure.
761A North Bridge Road, Singapore 198729, p. 6396 0946, e. [email protected]; www.thedivecompany.com.sg
[email protected]
If wakeboarding floats your kiddos’ boat then Ryders will have the whole family hanging off the back of a boat like a pro in no time. Powerboats are available in varying sizes, and these guys are so passionate about getting youngsters riding the waves that they offer special discounts for students! Rates start at $120 an hour (max of 6 riders), and the price includes boat rental, instructor (who also moonlights as the captain) and all the wakeboarding equipment. Hold on tight!
Marina Country Club, 600 Punggol 17th Avenue, Singapore 829734, e. [email protected]; www.rydersatponggol.com
Changi Sailing Club
Thinking about sailing the seven seas? The Changi Sailing Club (CSC) lets kids age seven to 12 pick up basic sailing skills at the Optimist Introductory Sailing Course so they can captain their very own vessel. The Optimist is a single-handed sailing dinghy suitable for kids up to 15 – the perfect starting point for sailors. They’ll pick up all the know-hows of sailing including knotting, capsizing and how to rig a boat. Members of CSC can sign up to the Youth Sailing Programme to learn how to race as well.
Changi Sailing Club, 32 Netheravon Rd, Singapore 508508, e. [email protected]; www.csc.org.sg
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