Guide to Adventure and
Sports in Singapore AboutMainOthers
Introduction
Are you coming to Singapore?
Thrilled for its adventure and sports?
Welcome to Singapore's exciting Adventure and Sports scene! From Dragon boating and 42.195km Marathons to Reverse Bungy Jumping and Treetop trails, Singapore awaits to enthrall you!
You will be able to find the information you need for your stay in Singapore here. Visit VentureTrail every week to get updates on the various adventure and sports activities in Singapore!
Do look through the archives for more activities!
Background
We are from the Industry Planning and Development Division of Singapore Tourism Board. This website introduces and promotes the adventure and sports in Singapore. Sports and adventure actitives are getting more popular lately in Singapore, especially since the Table Tennis tournament in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the upcoming Youth Olympics held here in 2010. In addition, Singapore Sports School was officially open in year 2004 to nurture the youth in different sports.
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Disclaimer: This blog is for a school project and the information provided is correct at time of blogging. We are a group of students studying Hospitality and Tourism Management in Temasek Polytechnic, and are not related to the Singapore Tourism Board in any way.
Our names are Aishah, Kimberley, Kimberly, Tiffany and Rowell.
This blog is for one of our school projects and features the theme of adventure and sports in Singapore. With the current rave and rage about the upcoming Youth Olympics as well as the Asian Youth Games 2009 that just ended recently, we are very much excited to proceed in our journey of discovering the many adventure and sports activities in Singapore.
But other than that, our group is very interested in adventure and sports activities. We each have some background in this topic and love the thrill adventure and sports give us. Activities like white water rafting, trekking high mountainous regions, golf and night cycling are all exhilarating and fulfilling!
We have researched greatly into this theme and are determined to bring you the information you need to guide you through the various adventure and sports in Singapore.
Please comment if you have any queries and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for visiting!
Trekking
posted on
Friday, November 27, 2009
What is so adventurous about trekking in Singapore?
Trekking is a challenging adventure to everyone as you are only given a map and you are to depend on yourself or your group members to reach a destination in the complicated rainforest.
It keeps you away from but hustle and bustle life style in the city, a good opportunity to explore various kinds of plants and species of insects that you do not get a chance to see in the city life.
Though Singapore does not have the land mass for certain adventure but this green city has certainly made trekking more enriching and anticipating!
Do you know that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore contains more species of tress then the entire North American continent?
This is a magnificent view you are able to see if you are trekking in Bukit Timah Reserve.
Let us step into the nature reserve where Sir Stamford Raffles arrived back in the old days, when much of the island was covered with lowland, tropical forest. Though much of Singapore's original vegetation had been cleared for logging and cultivation, the forest at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has remained relatively undisturbed.
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve contains the largest patch of primary rainforest left in Singapore.Bukit Timah Hill, at about 163.63 metres above sea level, is the highest point in Singapore.
The forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has a rich variety of flora and fauna, with more than 840 flowering plants, almost 100 species of ferns, and over 240 species of vertebrates. More than 350 species of trees were recorded and not to forget that since modern Singapore was founded for the past 200 years, many species of plants and animals were first obtained and described from here.
Here are some photos of various kinds of flora and fauna.
This benjamin's fig (Ficus benjamina), a fig tree at the carpark near the entrance to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
This pretty tree is related to jambu trees (Syzygium sp).
In these patches of primary vegetation, you can usually see one of the common features of an Old World primary tropical rainforest - the lianas. Lianas are woody climbers. Climbing from tree to tree, they link up the various trees like highways for animals that live in the canopy.
This red dhup (Parishia insignis) is one of the larger tree in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and it is also one of our heritage trees. The Heritage Tree Scheme was started by HSBC and NParks to protect some of our old and big trees. These tress are under regular inspection and pruning, and is also protected against potential lightning damages with lightning conductors.
As a result, decomposers such mushrooms can be commonly seen sprouting out of fallen branches or dead trees.
Bat Lily (Tacca integrifolia), a herb which usually grow in moist shady spots, is also quite common in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. This herb produces beautiful purplish black flowers with long whiskers.
If you arelucky enough to spot the clouded monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis). Monitor lizards are mildly venomous, their bites are dangerous due to the many bacteria found in their mouths, victims are prone to get a bad infection.
Lastly, you get to see monkeys! Tourist from all over the world came to see these monkeys and have a close interaction with them. Beware, not to feed them food.
Other than Bukit Timah Reserve, there are other nearby reserve such as lower seletar reserve, upper seletar reserve and MacRitchie Reservoir Park for you to explore as there are some nature walks too.
Trekking is challenging and enjoy it to the fullest!
You can get a map of the bukit timah nature reserve here to start trekking!
Opening hours: 6am - 6.30pm ( no night walks after 7pm )
By Bus SBS service 170. TIBs services 67, 75, 171, 173, 184, 852 and 961. Alight along Upper Bukit Timah Road, opposite Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and Beauty World Centre, or along Jalan Anak Bukit, opposite Courts furniture store, and walk to the end of Hindhede Drive.
By Car Travelling from the city, follow the direction of Upper Bukit Timah Road towards Woodlands, make a u-turn just after the Courts furniture store and turn left into Hindhede Drive. Limited parking is available at the foothill of the reserve, in order to minimize the damage to the nature reserve, do consider taking public transport.
Make your stop in Singapore an interesting and fruitful one.
posted on
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Outward Bound?
What is that?
OBS is Singapore’s leading organisation providing outdoor education and adventure learning programmes to help people realise their full potential. Since 1967, more than 250,000 people have benefited from their journey of self-discovery at OBS and emerged stronger both mentally and physically.
Through expeditions and outdoor activities, participants acquire new skills and a sense of adventure, develop the tenacity to overcome challenges as a team and broaden their perspectives.
For many, the lessons learnt at OBS have sparked a new journey in life.
As a member of the global Outward Bound network, OBS ranks as one of the best in facilities, training expertise and safety. OBS operates from two centres on Pulau Ubin.
A third centre is situated at East Coast Park. Together, these three centres see more than 23,000 people, comprising children, youth and adults, passing through each year.
There are even programmes ranging for pre-teens, youth, outdoor leaders and professionals.
What are the programmes available?
Watch the video below to know more about the programmes available in OBS Singapore!
As you can see, OBS Singapore have several progammes available for you to choose! There is definitely a suitable program for you, so do not fret! OBS also do provide customized programs for you, just contact them for more information :)
Hot Latest Events coming up:
Basic Ice Climbing Course at Korea!
Purpose of this program:
For Adventure seekers with a flare for climbing to embark on an Ice Climbing escapade in the climber-haven of Soraksan National Park, Korea. It is uniquely designed to expose enthusiasts to the sport, under a controlled, safe and learning environment.
This climbing experience is very much suitable for both beginners and avid climbers as it is set at a comfortable training pace. Furthermore, the training programme is customised into two phases to better prepare participants in tackling the new skill and the unfamiliar environment.
PROGRAMME:
First Phase
Duration: 2 days
Venue: Outward Bound Singapore, Pulau Ubin Campus
Objective: Basic understanding of cold gear and ice climbing tools and equipment. This allows participants to understand the principle of layering in the cold alpine terrain and the special equipment used in the snow and ice condition.
Second Phase
Duration: 8 days
Venue: Sorakshan National Park, Korea
Objective: Introduction to basic ice climbing skills and techniques.
DETAILS OF ENROLMENT: Age Requirement: 21-40 years old
Slots available: 20 participants per enrolment
Other requirement: Physically and medically fit
Promotions: $100 discount for either early-bird applicants (sign up by 10 Oct 2009) or PAssion Card Members.
1st Round of Enrolment:
1st PhaseDate: 16-17 Jan 2010
Venue: OBS, Pulau Ubin Campus
2nd PhaseDate: 31 Jan - 7 Feb 2010
Venue: Soraksan National Park, Korea
*NOTE Transportation: Arrange own air transportation to Korea International Airport where liaison officers will arrange a pickup. Accommodation: Meals and accomodation will be provided during programme duration only.
Board Bus No. 82 at the bus stop outside Punggol Bus Interchange. Alight at Punggol Point Jetty.
By Car:
From TPE, exit at Exit 9, and turn towards Punggol Road. Proceed all the way straight until you reach Punggol Point Jetty.
OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE - East Coast Campus 1410 East Coast ParkwaySingapore 468962
By Bus:
Board Bus No. 36 from Changi Airport Passenger Terminal Building (Basement). Alight at bus stop shown.
By Car:
If you are traveling towards Changi Airport , exit at Exit 7A, and enter East Coast Park Service Road.
If you are traveling towards the city, exit at Car Park F3, or Exit 7A and enter East Coast Park Service Road.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and join in the fun!: )
posted on
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
ROCK CLIMBING
How did rock climbing start in Singapore?
The sport of climbing started in Singapore around the mid- to late-1980s, with self-taught climbers exploring the cliffs of Dairy Farm Quarry. In 1989, the first permanent artificial climbing wall was built at SAFRA Tampines. This was followed by the introduction of the national climbing competition series, Rock On, which is now a significant national climbing event in our annual climbing calendar.
This sport is now growing rapidly in Singapore, with increasingly more people taking up climbing and many climbing walls being installed in schools and premises of uniformed organisations. However, for the past decade, due to the fact that the sport was relatively young both nationally and internationally, we did not have in place a set of national climbing standards or guidelines to help steer the sport.
What is rock climbing?
Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up or across natural rock formations or man-made rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route. It is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber's strength, endurance, agility, and balance along with his or her mental control. It can be a dangerous sport and knowledge of proper climbing techniques and usage of specialized climbing equipment is crucial for the safe completion of routes.
Because of the wide range and variety of rock formations around the world rock climbing has been separated into several different styles and sub-disciplines:
Bouldering is undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas.
Top ropingis a style in climbing in which a rope, used for the climber's safety, runs from a belayer at the foot of a route through one or more carabiners connected to an anchor system at the top of the route and back down to the climber, usually attaching to the climber by means of a harness.
Lead climbing is a climbing technique use to ascend a route. This technique involves a lead climber attaching themselves to a length of dynamic (stretchy) climbing rope and ascending a route whilst periodically attaching protection to the face of the route and "clipping in" to it. The lead climber must have another person acting as a belayer. The belayer has multiple roles: holding the rope in the event of a fall, and paying out or taking up rope as the climber moves.
These 3 different styles are the most commonly found, where the first 2 would be more appropriate for amateur climbers as they require less or no prior training.
What is needed for rock climbing?
ROPE
CARABINERS
HARNESS
CLIMBING SHOES
HELMET
CHALK & CHALK BAG
Where to rock climb in singapore?
Climb Asia Climbing Centre Pte Ltd
60 Tessensohn Road c/o: Civil Service Club Singapore 217664 (65)
(We are closed on Mondays for cleaning and maintenance. Open from 5pm onwards)
Tuesdays to Fridays
12noon - 11pm
Weekends and Public Holidays
10am - 9pm
Price:
Single entry
$12
Multiple Entries (for members only) Weekdays (before 5pm): $6 per entry All other times: $8 per entry Minimum top-up: $24 Gear Rental: Gear rental is also available for those who do not own or do not want to bring their own equipment.
My Adventure Center & Yishun Safra Climbing Centre
Safra Yishun 60 Yishun Ave 4 Singapore 769027
Tel: 6852 8200
http://www3.safra.sg/page.aspx?pageid=104
Largest climbing facility in Singapore with 1000 sq m of climbing and bouldering surface. It houses Singapore's largest outdoor climbing facility with walls ranging in heights of 15 to 25 metres, a free-form crack wall with two crack climbs of varying width and a chimney climb feature to simulate climbing on natural rocks. And also two floors of indoor bouldering.
Opening hours:
Mondays - Closed for maintenance Tuesdays to Fridays - 0100pm to 0930pm(Non-school holidays) Tuesdays to Fridays - 0900am to 0930pm (School holidays) Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays - 0900am to 0530pm
Price:
15M CLIMBING WALLS Weekdays : SAC Member S$4 / SAFRA Member & Students S$6 / Public S$11 Weekends & Public Holidays : SAC Member S$8 / SAFRA Member & Students S$10 / Public S$15 18-25M CLIMBING WALLS Weekdays : SAC Member S$8 / SAFRA Member & Students S$9 / Public S$13 Weekends & Public Holidays : SAC Member S$8 / SAFRA Member & Students S$10 / Public S$15 INDOOR BOULDERING GYM Weekdays : SAC Member S$9 / SAFRA Member & Students S$10 / Public S$14 Weekends & Public Holidays : SAC Member S$8 / SAFRA Member & Students S$10 / Public S$15
Standing at 8 metres high, 15 metres long and 7 metres wide, a total of 28 climbing lanes awaits for you. Using the latest technology from T-Wall, we have builded this gym using the Triax system.
Opening Hours:
MONDAY - SATURDAY (1000 am - 1000 pm ) SUNDAY & PH ( 1000 am - 0700 pm )
Get high on the world's tallest Via ferrata. The tallest climbing wall in Singapore, with a total of 30m vertical gain. The via ferrata routes weave across the wall, creating trips of different lengths and challenges. The climbing three sport climbing routes on site are 10m in height. If you want to try something different from the normal climbing, this is it!
Opening hours:
Via Ferrata & Experience climb
1pm till 10pm, Monday till Friday
11am till 10pm, for Sat, Sun & eve of PH
Price:
Via Ferrata Trips
Our signature Via Feratta trip is conducted right here by our own
mountain guides. Includes training & equipment rental.
$30 weekdays / $35 weekends
Approximately 1.5 hours per trip
Experience Climbing
Our experience climbing programme is ideal for anyone wanting a taster session to sport climbing.
$20 weekdays / $25 weekends
Approximately 1 hour per trip
Time Slots
(w.e.f 14 Sept 2009)
We now offer a revised booking schedule with more climbing slots to make it convenient for you.
Via Ferrata Trips
Experience Climbing
11 am*
12 noon*
1 pm
2 pm
3 pm
4 pm
6 pm
7 pm
8 pm
9 pm
All climbs and trips ends at 10pm
*applicable on Sat, Sun & Public Holidays only
So what are you waiting for? Come on down to Singapore and experience an adrenaline rush like never before!