Top 7 places for stand up paddle boarding in Singapore
Forget surfing and swimming, SUP is the next big thing in water sports in Singapore
Text: Shannon T
Sun's out, surf's up, paddle’s out! The weather is warming up and if you’re looking to cool down by the waters, we’ve got just the thing for you. Paddle boarding in Singapore is a rising star in the world of water sports and exercise for all the good reasons.
A hybrid between surfing and canoeing, stand up pedalling (SUP) originated from Hawaii in the 1950s and has quickly gained fans for being safe, easy, affordable and fitness-effective. SUP facilitates core training and fitness, rehabilitation, even yoga and Pilates on water. Learning the fundamentals of SUP also improves performance in other water sports, including windsurfing, surfing, wakeboarding and dragon boating.
As it doesn’t rely on natural elements like wind or waves, SUP is perfect in the calm and placid waters of Singapore. With more than enough reason to jump in on the action, read on to see our top seven places for paddle boarding on our Red Dot.
1. The Stand Up Paddling School
Created in 2012 by certified SUP Instructor (Professional Stand Up Association or PSUPA, USA) and Life Saver Isabelle Malique-Park, The SUP School offers a full range of SUP activities, from rentals and levelled classes, to group paddling (called pods), parties and events. Located at Tanjong Beach on Sentosa Island, there’s no weekend more perfect than one that includes an hour or two of idyllic paddling surrounded by the sun, sand and sea. You could even try out their fitness, yoga or Pilates on water sessions for some extra burn for your core muscles. Now that’s what we call effective multi-tasking!
2. Ola Beach Club
If you’re all about that beach life and good vibes, Ola is the place for you. Experience the thrill of standing on water while getting a good workout in at the same time — all while enjoying the soft breeze and gentle rolling of the sea at Siloso Beach. Paddle boarding sessions start from SGD35 per pax for an hour, and you can opt to have a private guide take you on your water adventure for a slight premium.
They also offer a range of other water activities like kayaking, banana boat rides and donut rides. Check out their Instagram for a taste of that glorious beach life celebrated everyday here.
3. PAssion WaVe
East-siders rejoice! Paddle boarding in Singapore is easily available at East Coast Park, which means a shorter commute to an epic day on the waters. Formally known as Water-Venture by People’s Association, PAssion WaVe @ East Coast is one of the many outlets operating across the island and offering a myriad of courses and activities. Pre-book a slot for an SUP Start Course on open waters to kick start your paddle boarding adventure.
If you’re already skilled at the sport, just rent the necessary equipment by showing a valid certification. Currently, the two ASI accredited Schools in Singapore are PAssion WaVe and Constant Wind.
4. Constant Wind Sea Sports Centre
Nestled in a quaint and tranquil spot in the south-eastern part of Singapore, Constant Wind Sea Sports Centre is a one-stop sea sports centre that doubles up as a sailing school. It also has a pro-shop that provides sea sports enthusiasts with everything they require in their sporting pursuits.
Rookies and newbies can check out the two-hour “Discovery” course where the ASI accredited SUP instructors will teach you the fundamentals of balancing and paddling on the SUP board. Courses for team or family bonding are also available. For an extra dose of ‘leisure and play’, check out the packages for snorkelling with SUP, River Safari and Bintan Adventure SUP. Constant Wind also has their toes dipped in competitive SUP, partnering with other paddling groups to conduct try outs and even racing events such as the Blast the Bay East Coast Race in 2016 and the Novu SUPer Race in 2017.
5. Aloha Sea Sports Centre
Aloha Sea Sports Centre inherits the turf and spirit of East Coast Sailing Centre, which thrived in the 80s and 90s and was the largest windsurfing club in the world at one point. They provide taster sessions for SUP, where you’ll get to learn the basics of standing, navigating and returning to shore safely within an hour. Their activity menu is slightly on the pricier side, but with nearly full 5-star reviews on both Google and Facebook, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
There’s also tons of other water sports in Singapore to check out if you’re looking to spend the whole day here. With options designed for guests as young as eight-years-old, there’s definitely something for everybody here.
6. Adventure Paddlers
Since its inception in 1996, Adventure Paddlers at Ohana Beach House (Pasir Ris Beach Park and Loyang) has been a community water sport and lifestyle centre that seeks to promote water sports within the community, supported by affiliated lifestyle offerings. The basic SUP course is one and a half hours long at $50 per person. Come alone or bring your furry buddies with you for their unique SUP with Dogs course, where you and your pet can enjoy some quality time together on the waters.
What makes Adventure Paddlers stand out from the crowd is that they offer eco-addons for their programs, where participants can embark on sustainability journeys specially guided by the company’s Eco-consultant Grace S.Y. Lim. Initiatives include coastal clean-ups, nature-inspired biological tours, environmental monitoring, observation of microscopic organisms, as well as pledging to commit to a life time of sustainability efforts.
7. Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, SUP Singapore
Saving the best for last, we have Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, SUP Singapore, the OG players when it comes to SUP in Singapore. Started by Rachel Charis Ng, former SEA games silver-medallist turned surfer-mom and entrepreneur, windsurfing, kitesurfing and SUP pioneered this specific water sport in Singapore, and were also the ones who wrote to ASI to start certification courses for SUP instructors here.
Grab a few friends to join their SUP lessons, which gets more affordable with more participants taking part. If you’re already a veteran, check out their SUP Eco-Tours & Adventure in Singapore waters, where you can escape from the urban life and into the wilderness, exploring the Labrador Park Mangroves, coastal fish farms and Ketam (Crab) Island. The first and only of its kind, you’ll get to try a completely raw experience of SUP-ing into the waterways of Singapore that few have roamed.
