PA Water-Venture (Changi)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Southern Islands Expedition 2009
By Muhd Nurhisyam Bin Sahul Hameed

The first principle of adventure is uncertainty. The second, it’s up to you. That’s my definition of ‘adventure’. Living in this small country, it would be a challenge to be engaged on an adventure but it is up to adventure junkies out there to make it possible.

Southern Islands Expedition 2009. This is my first water-based expedition as a participant, venturing out to the open sea with other 54 kayakers to southern islands of Singapore. It sounds exciting, and to me, it sounds like an adventure. I am a Kayak-photography enthusiast. This is my story.

20th June 2009 - D-Day.

The day was greeted by landing airplanes trembling the earth and sounds of small waves crashing. We suited up in our wet gears and had breakfast at Water Venture Changi before setting off on bus to Water Venture East Coast.

THE NAME GAME!

Stretch! Stretch more!

Keeping things rolling, we started off by breaking the ice, expressing ourselves so that we are comfortable with one another and no longer just mere strangers. I’m Superman by the way. Once done, we had an extreme non rigorous exercise to warm-up our engines for the expedition.

Ready to set off!

And we are off!

With blue skies hovering above us and blue sea water as its reflection, it was the perfect setting for us to embark on our kayaks and have public eyes watching us from shore.

Water-venture staffs.

This is my partner Ben.

Another uncommon sight of kayakers is our fashion statement. We covered ourselves in every way to block away UV rays and the scorching sun.

Big ships.

Skyline of CBD, IR & SG Flyer

Jun Jie & Alfred.

You have to be a kayaker in order to get these perspectives. As we kayak along the coast passing by Marina South Pier and into the Outer Shoal, we had a magnificent view of Singapore Flyer and the Skyscrapers. Also, it was the only chance for us to encounter ships at a close range. With a great day, great view and AWESOME participants, I was ready to see more, feel more, hear more and of course capture more scenes in sight with my camera.

Kusu Island

Lazarus Island aka Pulau Seringat

“Aim for the red beacon!” everyone echoed. After paddling to cross the channel for some time, we saw Kusu Island and Lazarus Island in sight. It was lunch time and we beach landed on the wonderful sands and semi clear waters of Lazarus Island. On the island, the adventure never stops.

Having a dip!

Chill out!

Take photo!

Sisters' Island!

Pulau Subar Laut & Pulau Subar Darat.

When getting our stomachs full, we head out around Lazarus Island and headed for our final pit stop, the beautiful Sisters’ Island. With high anticipation, we paddled like there’s no tomorrow. We made a trip round Pulau Subar Laut and then beach up on Pulau Subar Darat. It seems so easy but we were surprised by a great opposing drift of current along side Pulau Subar Laut. No matter how hard you paddle, it seems like you’re idle. But we managed to get by. We were like torpedos anyway.

Finally!

Briefing!

At last, with the final stretch going against current and 27km of paddling, we landed on Sisters’ Island. After much briefing, most of us explore every corner of the island to see what was in store for us. We mingled, talked and laughed throughout the day. What a valuable experience I must say. We have French couples who are locals, students, an industrial nurse, school facilitators, basically people from all walks of lives. Not only was the expedition an adventure, getting to know the participants were also exciting.
Now let the photos do the talking.

Setting up tent.

Toilet with no lights.

Coconuts will fall without warning!

Make yourselves at home!

Breakwater.

Enjoy the view!

The man, the boat, the sea!

Like old friends.

Meiying. Expedition Committee.

Sunset.

Who says you can't have spaghetti on Sisters' Island!

21st June 2009 - The Last Stretch.

First light.

We woke up with clouds floating in the skies reflecting the colour of the rising sun, giving it a perfect composition of a beautiful sunrise. That morning, we had breakfast, someone got peed by a monkey, cleared up the area, monkey stole breads while we were having group photo taking before we set off for mainland Singapore.

Set and ready to go!

Waiting to cross the channel.

We head out straight for mainland, covering a shorter distance compared to the previous day. It was the most tiresome journey back for me as we had to paddle against the opposing current for 20km under the scorching sun. This was another uncertainty in the expedition that motivated me to push myself further, enduring the conditions that I’ve never experienced. ‘The only easy day was yesterday’.

Alongside East Coast.

Clearing up.

After hours of paddling, we reached Bedok Jetty with our tired but happy faces. I am pleased to see everybody were still in high spirits. I am glad to have participated in this event. The whole experience was just priceless. This would be my inspiration to take kayak photography to the next level.

Last group photo.

So we have graduated from Southern Islands 2009. A total of 47km of paddling through choppy waves, blazing sunny weather, awesome participants and one experience that cannot be exchanged for.

I remembered on the way back to Changi from East Coast, we were followed by few Lamborghinis (sport cars) and all of us had our eyes on them. However, I bet when we were at sea paddling, we also had the public eyes set on us. What an adventure!

Congratulations to the Expedition Committee. You guys have done a great job! Thanks to you guys, I have a story to tell and an experience to live with.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Southern Islands Expedition 2009

By Ms Cheong Keet Yeng

Appealing would be the last word I’d used to describe the sight of crashing waves and choppy waters. Nevertheless, I decided to take my chances by signing up for the Southern Island Expedition organised by Water-Venture (Changi) and this is my recount of the experience.

Day 0
After a hasty dinner, Yu Rong and I rushed down to Water-Venture (Changi) to help out as promised. We were given bags of towels and event tees and told to pack them into goodie bags that would be distributed to the participants. As we packed and sorted, familiar faces streamed into view and in no time, the open space behind the wooden benches was packed with excited participants.

After registration and collection of goodie bags, they were told to proceed over to the open classroom where the introductory briefing would be conducted. Later, the planning committee briefed us on the expedition route, itinerary as well as instructions to follow when we were out at sea. Then, we were told to pack our belongings and to turn in early to prepare for the gruelling journey ahead.

Before turning in, we boiled eggs for breakfast the following morning in order to save on time. It was fortunate that we were able to stay overnight at the club because there was much preparation work to be done and the night allowed us sufficient time to do so.

Day 1
I was thankful to hear the sound of my irritating phone alarm because that indicated the start of the much-anticipated expedition! After washing up, we did a final logistics check and brought our bags out for deposition onto the bumboat. The loading of bags onto the bumboat was effortless due to the formation of a human chain, but this was not the only example which epitomised the power of teamwork. Then, we geared up after collecting our PFDs, paddles and spray skirts and boarded the bus to Water-Venture (East Coast).

Upon arrival at ECP, we did a final equipment check before transporting the fibreglass tourers to the beach. Following that, we played a quick game of icebreakers and warmed up before launching off. The pace set by the expedition leader was good throughout the first day, but the water conditions proved to be challenging as this was my first experience paddling so far out in the open sea. Nonetheless, I had much take away thanks to my partner, Yu Rong, who taught me long distance paddling techniques and how to ride on waves.
After paddling for about five hours in the water, we finally arrived at Kusu Island! Lunch at last! But our happiness was short-lived when we were told that we had to paddle around the island first as lunch had yet to arrive. We did as instructed and clowned around with tourists on the island and onboard passing vessels as we paddled. Subsequently, we beached up at a clear lagoon and lunch was served as promised. We wolfed down our food in a bid to satisfy our hungry stomachs, then headed straight for the cooling waters. It was indeed relaxing to float around without a single worry in our heads.

After being given ample time to rest and relax, we got back into our kayaks and continued our journey to Sisters' Island. As we paddled out from the safe haven of the lagoon, the waters became increasingly choppy and we struggled to keep up with the expedition group. We also could not afford to stop paddling as that would mean getting swept inwards into the breakwaters that surrounded Sisters' Island. I always wondered how one could seem so near to one’s goal yet so far away at the same time – this must have been the very instance. Fortunately, the sweeper noticed how close we were to danger zone and swiftly positioned his kayak between ours and the breakwater. That ensured that we were kept a safe distance away from the breakwater and for that, I am incredibly thankful.
Finally, after paddling intensely for quite some time, a sandy beachfront greeted our eyes. At long last, Sisters' Island! After beaching up and transporting the equipment away from the shore, we headed to the jetty to collect our belongings as well as to aid in the transportation of logistics. We were then allotted time for tent-pitching, rest and washing up. In the meantime, the guys went berserk and started a huge bonfire in the middle of the campsite. Some participants headed out to the breakwaters to enjoy the serene view while others started picking fallen coconuts and cutting them up to savour the refreshing juice. Having witnessed these sights made me realise how much the outdoors have to offer and at that juncture, I decided that I would definitely be part of future expeditions.

Day 2
The following morning was an interesting one. As we headed to the pavilion for breakfast, we could hear people complaining of a sleepless night due to insect bites and poor ventilation. It was also amusing to hear how some participants wandered to the jetty in the middle of the night only to find it packed with people who had trouble sleeping as well. After breakfast, we followed the standard routine of clearing up and then launched off as planned. The waters were as choppy as the day before, but the fact that we were going against the current made paddling even more challenging. Our kayak lagged so far behind that the expedition leader asked us if we wanted to swap partners. We declined as we were having fun riding the waves and still had strength to carry on. The expedition group progressed quickly and we soon arrived at the channel near tanjong pagar port. We had to stop and give way to the large cargo vessels passing so in the meantime, we were told to drink up and eat.

Once we were given the signal to cross the channel, we had to make sure that we did not overtake the expedition leader. From that point on, we were told to paddle all the way to the beach up point at Amber Beacon. The waves were merciless and kept pushing us towards the shore. We also had to paddle very hard just to cover a short distance. As such, we lagged even further behind and by then, the sweeper who was previously a stone’s throw away was a small speck in the vast body of blue. It was daunting because having to constantly keep up with the expedition group was an arduous task.

Eventually, Amber Beacon came into sight, but many participants expressed shock when the expedition leader did not signal for them to beach up. Apparently, there had been a last minute change in the pickup point for the kayaks and when the participants learnt of it, they became extremely demoralised. It was shocking to see how the participants who were previously leading the group just stopped paddling and drifted to the back. Nonetheless, the planning committee remained undeterred and did their best to salvage the situation. The expedition leader told his assistant to paddle back to tend to the queries of the participants and to check on their welfare. Spirits were slightly lifted and as we paddled on, the new beach up point eventually came into view. Many of us were thoroughly worn out by then but teamwork saved the day. The participants complemented one another well and the allocation of work done by the planning committee ensured that all logistics were accounted for. Lunch served as a morale booster and even though the expedition didn’t end that smoothly, I could tell that everyone still experienced a sense of accomplishment. After all, it was the journey instead of the destination that mattered.Being part of this expedition has highlighted to me that regardless of what we do, everything is a challenge by choice. People cannot force us to do what we don’t want to do but we should recognise that every challenge is an opportunity. Personally, I possess a fear of capsizing and I really didn’t see myself pursuing kayaking. Nonetheless, I am glad that I cast aside my fears and I am grateful to my friends for assisting me in this journey of rediscovery.

Participating in SIE has made me realise that kayaking isn’t just another fun sport, but rather, it requires hard work, cooperation, communication and lots of patience. It can help you grow as an individual and every time you paddle away from that familiar shore, you’ll be surprised by the new lands you discover and how far your own boundaries are pushed.

Ms Cheong Keet Yeng is a participant of SIE 2009

Kayaking in Singapore's southern waters

By Ms Yvonne Yap

Source:http://redsports.sg/2009/06/25/southern-islands-expedition-kayaking/

Water Venture Changi, Saturday, June 20, 2009 – 54 kayakers experienced a different sight of Singapore as part of the Southern Islands Expedition 2009, organised by Water Venture (Changi) (WVCG) from the 20 to 21 June 2009.

The last Southern Islands Expedition was held 3 years ago, and hence many enthusiasts jumped at this opportunity to tour the Southern Islands.The journey started from Water Venture (East Coast) at 9am after some icebreaker games were conducted for the participants and a short warm up for the journey ahead. Participants paired up for the journey in double-touring kayaks.

The expedition was led by Chia Yee Han and Zheng Jingxin, both instructors from WVCG.

The southern waters of Singapore took the kayakers past Marina South Pier, Kukor Island, Seringat Island, Kusu Island, Kias and St. John’s Island. They stopped for lunch on Lazarus Island, where the waters were greenish blue, a pleasant contrast to the usual drab colour of the waters immediately off Singapore.

Along the way, the participants got a view of the Singapore Flyer and the Marina Bay Sands Resort which were still under construction. After being out in the waters for almost seven hours, the group reached their rest point, Pulau Subur Durat, more commonly known as Sisters Island. The total distance clocked was 27km.

The following day started at 9am as well and the group of kayakers made their way back to mainland, and beached up at Bedok Jetty. However, the voyage back was more tedious even though it was only 20km because they had to row against the current. Fatigue from the first day’s exertion also played a part.

With new friendships forged over this expedition, the participants were chatting like old friends and exchanged contact numbers before returning home after two days out.

French expatriates Aline and Oliver Cordier were among the kakayers who enjoyed the expedition. “We really enjoyed it, the people are friendly and it was well-organised,” they added.

The organising committee, spearheaded by Joycelyn Sin, started their preparations started in March. Apart form the logistics, the committee had to apply for permits from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore for the expedition also.

Kayaking has been offered in various students camps and Nanyang Polytechnic has offered sprint kayaking as a Co-Curricular Activity.