Getting started in kayaking and canoeing in Singapore

Kayaking in Singapore is a very good getaway from the hectic urban lifestyle in Singapore. I have encountered many people who are interested in taking up kayaking or canoeing but do not know how to go about starting their journey on kayaking and canoeing. Kayaks will now provide some useful information on getting started in kayaking and canoeing in Singapore.

Getting Started

When you visit parks, reservoirs and beaches around Singapore, you can sometimes notice the striking colours of the kayaks and canoes on the kayaks and boat racks. But, which kayak outlet do u approach? What do you need to start kayaking? Do u need personal kayaks?

Safety is a major concern for water sports such as kayaking and canoeing in Singapore. As such, certification is required for the rental and usage of kayaks and canoes. (Unless you plan to use open-decked kayaks). Hence, once you decided on doing kayaking or canoeing, ask yourself if you just want to try it for fun, or you want to take up kayaking as a sport or hobby. If you want to try it just for fun, read point a), if you are sure you want to take up kayaking or canoeing as a sport and hobby, read point b).

a) Trying out kayaking to see if you like the feeling of moving around waters on a kayak before investing more time in it is a good idea. However, you can't try kayaking just like that anywhere in Singapore as most outlets will require personal certification. There are a few locations where you can do leisure kayaking on open-decked kayaks without certification. They are as follows:

(i) MacRitche Reservoir
(ii) Bedok Reservoir
(iii) Seletar Reservoir
(iv) Pasir Ris Park
(iv) East Coast Park
(v) Kallang Basin

The above outlets are private water sports outlets that are affiliated to the Singapore Canoe Federation and they will rent out kayaks and charge on a hourly rental basis with the inclusion of the paddles and personal floatation device with the kayaks and canoes. Kayaks and canoes rented out would be open-decked for water safety in case the boat capsizes. There are both single and double seating kayaks and canoes to choose from.

b) If you plan to take on kayaking or canoeing as a sport or hobby, it would be wiser to take up personal certification. This would allow you to kayak or canoe at more locations throughout Singapore, and also enable you to choose from a greater array of kayaks and canoes. You would also learn advance techniques on kayaking and canoeing. Personal certification courses for kayaking and canoeing in Singapore are based on Singapore Canoes Federations Syllabus, which are adopted from the British Canoe Union.

For personal certification, there are a total of 5 levels, which are rated using stars. Beginners start with the 1-Star Course, which consists of 2 full day sessions. For those who who want to pursue more, there is the 2-Star Course that consists 3 full day sessions where participants are introduced to more advance skills. The 4-session 3-Star Course will impart the technique of “rolling” and more technical skills. Advancement beyond 3-Star takes place beyond local waters. Participants may do open sea expeditions or river trips. Once 1-Star is obtained, you can rent kayaks or canoes at all the water sports outlets. However, 1-Star kayakers can only kayak within the designated demarcated zones of each water outlet.

Singapore has 3 major water sports providers, you can take up water sport courses from this providers and rent kayaks or canoes from them at hourly rates.

1) Water Venture

The People's Association Water-Venture (PAWV) currently comprises 8 outlets run by a group of professional staff and Trainers.The outlets are run by a group of professional staff, managing all aspects of the business, from marketing to operational matters.

The Water Venture Outlets are as follows:

(i) Water Venture Changi
(ii) Water Venture Pasir Ris
(iii) Water Venture Lower Seletar
(iv) Water Venture Bedok Reservoir
(v) Water Venture Jurong Lake
(vi) Water Venture Kallang
(vii) Water Venture East Coast
(viii) Water Venture Sembawang (newest)

For more information go to: http://www.water-venture.org.sg/index.html

2) Paddle Lodge

Paddle Lodge is an affiliation to the Singapore Canoe Federation and provides kayaks rental services too. The only outlet they have is at MacRitche Reservoir.

For more information: http://www.scf.org.sg/Facilities/PLDetails.html

3) Paddle Culture

Paddle Culture was started in 2003 by avid paddlers, who wanted to share paddle culture with other enthuasists.The also offer kayaking courses like those of Water Venture which are based on the Singapore Canoes Federations syllabus.

Their outlets are as follows:

(i) Kallang Basin
(ii) East Coast Park
(iii) Pasir Ris Park

For more information go to: http://www.paddleculture.com/index.html

I hope this has made it clearer for you on how to go about going for kayaking and canoeing in Singapore!