HPB Voices Reloaded
March - April 2008
By Eugene Heng
In the last issue, we brought you to the ‘greener areas’ to exercise and ‘chill out’. In this issue, you’ll find where else you can exercise and unwind.
SSC Gyms
Air-conditioned and found all over the island, SSC gyms are convenient venues for a good work-out. Most of the gyms are reasonably well-equipped with a range of strength training and cardio machines and some sports and recreation centres, where the gyms are located, offer group exercise classes at affordable prices. The main drawback is that it gets overly crowded during peak hours, to the extent that even standing space is limited. Membership fees start from $50 for 6 months (off-peak membership) and $2.50 per entry. For more information, log on to http://www.ssc.gov.sg/.
SAFRA
The newly renovated SAFRA club at tampines is a haven for soccer fans, whether you are a regular player or a weekend athlete. With a new synthetic 11 aside main pitch and 4 synthetic futsal courts, it’s a one-stop centre for soccer nuts to battle it out with their favourite game. Rental rates start from $60/hr for a 5-aside pitch for peak hours. Referees and linesmen are also for rent at $200, for those who take the technicalities of the game seriously. Besides soccer, SAFRA clubs are also favourite haunts for enthusiasts of squash, tennis, badminton and swimming. If you’re into alternative sports, check out the Adventure Sports Centre and Air-Weapons Range at SAFRA Yishun Country Club. For more information, log on to http://www.safra.sg/.
Marina Bay Golf Course
This is the newest addition to Singapore's golfing scene. Located strategically in the heart of town, Marina Bay Golf Course offers great accessibility to all golfers, who will also get to enjoy the beautiful cityscape that surrounds the golf course, be it day or night.
The design of the 18-hole golf course attempts to connect to the history of golf – traditional links of Scotland and the beginning of golf - with its few water hazards and in particular, its 95 links-styled bunkers, or “pot bunkers”. These bunkers not only serve as dramatic features, they are also geared to provide hours of challenges and excitement to the golfers.
One of the very few links-styled golf courses in Asia, Marina Bay Golf Course (6542 m, par 72) features dramatic pot bunkers of varying sizes and depth, tremendous variety in the length of the holes and many undulations to provide many hours of challenges and enjoyment to golfers.
The Marina Bay Driving Range has an outfield of 270 metres in length and the spacious four-tiered driving range can accommodate a total of 150 range goers at any one time. For convenience, ball dispensers are located on Levels 1-3. For those who want to improve their techniques, the resident golf academy Star Golf Academy provides golf coaching. The driving range is closed on Mondays till 12 noon for maintenance, except for public holidays.
Marina Bay Golf Course: 80 Rhu Cross, Singapore 437437. Tel: 6345 7788
SAF Yacht Club
With clubhouses at Changi and Sembawang, SAF Yacht Club caters to the sea-faring spirits with a passion for exploring the open waters. The Club proudly owns a fleet of more than 200 crafts. These include Optimists, Toppers, Lasers, Laser IIs, Laser Pico, International 420s, 470s, Larks, Hobie Cats and Nacras, canoes, keel boats and power boats. Head down to one of the clubhouses if your would like to take up the powered pleasured craft driving license or other courses, including the competent crew course, day skipper course, kayaking, windsurfing and diving courses, many of which require no prior sailing experience.
Changi Clubhouse – Headquarters: 110 Tanah Merah Coast Road, Singapore 498800.
Tel: 6758 3032 / Marina: 6389 3779
Sembawang Clubhouse: 43 Admiralty Road West, Singapore 759962. Tel: 6758 3359 / Marina: 6757 9061
PA East Coast Sea Sports Club
This sea sports club situated at the idyllic easy coast park offers mainly equipment storage facilities and the rental of windsurfing and boardsailing equipment.
The rental equipment is not the latest 'hot-stuff', and beginner courses are mainly utilizing "long boards", but these days they also have modern learning equipment (Mistral Prodigy). Gear storage facilities provide cover from the weather elements. Additional facilities includes lockers, out-door 'gym equipment', waiting/eating area, etc. The site also hosts a windsurfing shop.
If you sign up for the basic boardsailing (windsurfing) course (2 sessions) you could be on your way to harness the winds and ride the waves. The launching area has a stone pier on one side and a concrete drain on the other side, but even beginners learn to maneuver these obstacles.
During operating hours, a rescue boat is normally in the water and often busy retrieving beginners that can’t get back to the launch area.
PA East Coast Sea Sports Club: 1390 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 468961 (Tel:6444 0409)
Marina Country Club / Sea Sports Centre (Punggol)
Those who are into wake-boarding would know of this destination in the north-east. The marina is nestled on a calm and tranquil coastline is known for its boat trips, fishing and wakeboarding activities.
The vibrant Sea-Sports Centre managed by recognised operators with the latest equipment offers plenty of action. From fast pumping water-skiing and wakeboarding to spectacular diving trips to the serenity of deep-sea fishing and unforgettable sunset cruises -there is something for every sun and sea enthusiast.
Operators here have tied up an affiliation with People’s Association Sea Sports Club to offer certification courses to members at a 10% discount. You can enjoy a 2-year Adult or Student membership fees at a discounted rate of $45 nett (U.P. $65) and $27 nett (U.P. $30) respectively.
Marina Country Club Sea Sports Centre: 600 Ponggol Seventeenth Avenue, Singapore 829734 (Tel: 6388 8388)
Sentosa Siloso Beach
If volleyball is your game and you like it with a generous helping of sun and sand, then the vaunted Siloso Beach is definitely your choice for a spiking good time.
The venue is home to beach volleyball enthusiasts and boasts of dining and shopping outlets. There are four volleyball courts and it’s free for all volleyball aficionados, but available on first-come-first-serve basis. For those who like to dabble in other outdoor activities, canoeing, skim boarding, mountain biking or rollerblading are common pursuits here.
Swimmers have to take caution to swim between the red and yellow flags planted in the waters for their own safety. Otherwise, the beach patrol officers will take necessary action. To get there, take the Sentosa Express (light rail system) from Harbour Front or Vivocity and alight at Beach Station.
School of Physical Education (SPE)
There are few places in Singapore for hockey enthusiasts to ply their trade. The former school of physical education is now a playground for all sports enthusiasts, and it happens to offer a hockey pitch for rent. Also available for booking are courts (indoor/outdoor) for basketball, netball and volleyball. You can make your bookings through the Singapore Sports Council website at http://www.ibook.ssc.gov.sg/ or call 64688393. SPE: 21 Evans Road, Singapore 259366