LOCAL SCENE AND INFO
Where Can I Windsurf?
There are only 3 clubs in Singapore and they are all along East Coast Park. The most popular is Passion Wave @ East Coast Park (ECP) where we windsurf from. The others are Constant Wind Sea Sports Centre and Aloha Sea Sports Centre.
It's government-owned so it's a no frills, cheap & functional; all the facilities you need to store your sail/board with the coolest friends (a cosmo mix of French, Germans, British, Aussies, Kiwis, Chinese, Indians, Malays etc) you can hang out with. Storage is cheapest @ PA Water-Venture for S$35 per board rack and S$10 per sail each month (just an estimate, call them up to confirm). Membership is "dirt cheap"! Unfortunately, for those tourists who are thinking of windsurfing a day or 2 would not be able to "rent" from PA. Rental is available only for members and equipment are only Beginner's dacron sails/wide boards. PA is not open to non-members and public rentals are not available as well. All the equipment you see there are private, belonging to the windsurfers. There's public rental at Aloha Sea Sports Centre and Constant Wind Sea Sports Centre.
Beach Lifestyle
Located on the 'quieter' part of 15km long East Coast Park (ECP), bring along your skateboard, bicycle, inline skates, skate-scooter, books, & other "toys" for yourself & family. Just in case the wind fails, you will be entertained either by your relaxation tools or friends.
There are only 3 clubs in Singapore and they are all along East Coast Park. The most popular is Passion Wave @ East Coast Park (ECP) where we windsurf from. The others are Constant Wind Sea Sports Centre and Aloha Sea Sports Centre.
It's government-owned so it's a no frills, cheap & functional; all the facilities you need to store your sail/board with the coolest friends (a cosmo mix of French, Germans, British, Aussies, Kiwis, Chinese, Indians, Malays etc) you can hang out with. Storage is cheapest @ PA Water-Venture for S$35 per board rack and S$10 per sail each month (just an estimate, call them up to confirm). Membership is "dirt cheap"! Unfortunately, for those tourists who are thinking of windsurfing a day or 2 would not be able to "rent" from PA. Rental is available only for members and equipment are only Beginner's dacron sails/wide boards. PA is not open to non-members and public rentals are not available as well. All the equipment you see there are private, belonging to the windsurfers. There's public rental at Aloha Sea Sports Centre and Constant Wind Sea Sports Centre.
Beach Lifestyle
Located on the 'quieter' part of 15km long East Coast Park (ECP), bring along your skateboard, bicycle, inline skates, skate-scooter, books, & other "toys" for yourself & family. Just in case the wind fails, you will be entertained either by your relaxation tools or friends.
Families & Kids
For families with kids, ECP offers a cycling path, bicycle/inline skate rentals, beach, sand & many other kids for play-companionship. It's almost always a casual Playgroup for all the kids who flock to the club especially on weekends. Bring some sand toys for your kids, bicycles, snacks & clean changes of clothes. The toilets in the clubs are available for showering and there are plenty of washing bays with hoses to wash the kids and dogs.
For families with kids, ECP offers a cycling path, bicycle/inline skate rentals, beach, sand & many other kids for play-companionship. It's almost always a casual Playgroup for all the kids who flock to the club especially on weekends. Bring some sand toys for your kids, bicycles, snacks & clean changes of clothes. The toilets in the clubs are available for showering and there are plenty of washing bays with hoses to wash the kids and dogs.
Windsurfing Beginners' Courses
I no longer teach Beginners' Courses via Passion Wave@East Coast at 1390, East Coast Parkway (phone: 64440409) so go ahead and complete it via https://www.onepa.sg/cat/water-sports/subcat/windsurfing
It's $92 for PASSION members or $102 non-PA members (6 hours lesson) so it's probably one of the cheapest rates you can find in SG. Once you've taken a beginners' course at Passion Wave or anywhere or not at all, you can WhatsApp me 97733045 to start on your exciting road to Walking on Water (it gets faster and faster, of course).
For those who choose not to take any other Beginner's course, it's ok, I can teach that too. There is no certification though as clubs issue that for proof of proficiency. Internationally, clubs don't require certification for rentals. The usual practice is to own his/her set of equipment even from Beginner/Intermediate proficiency. To date, majority of my students own their equipment and are learning to 'plane' or are 'planing'. I'll advise on the correct equipment to buy (the brands I distribute are Duotone, Loft, Fanatic).
Beginners will learn all these in the first 3-5hrs
Intro to Equipment
Points of Sail; Wind, current and weather
Steering & Sailing Across the Wind/Reaching
Tacking
Upwind, Broad Reach, Running
Gybing
Basic Right Of Way Rules (Starboard, Port, Leeward/Windward etc)
Windsurfing Progressive Coaching
If you've taken a beginner's course before and lost as to how to progress to the next level, I can help to ensure consistent progression via walkie talkie coaching up to upwind course sailing, slalom planing level (how to use harness and footstraps) and even windfoiling. Typically, beginners don't come back to rent to practise because i) they drift downwind and get into trouble/danger; become frightened and never return again ii) keep falling, uphauling for hours, dropping sail, crashing onto shore or rocks and come back with nothing but low morale iii) never improve because they don't even know how to sail correctly, everything is guesswork, no idea how their body stance should be and how to even read the wind/current/waves iv) sailing gets worse when wind picks up or when conditions differ (which happens on a daily basis as the wind/current/waves change daily).
Usually, beginners who continue to rent and practise tend not to know 'how to practise correctly' or what to do or look out for, that is, if they even know how to sail without drifting downwind and getting into danger. We only pray that by doing the same thing multiple times, we get better. I use walkie talkies to coach, I will paddle along (or windsurf with you for the intermediate sailors) and provide spot on & immediate feedback (via walkie talkies) to help you master your upwind, tacks, gybes, to plane, using the harness/footstraps, upwind/downwind/reaching planing and slalom (wind allowing). I will give clear instructions what you need to do, what the wind is doing, course management, thought process, how to point/bear away, how to differentiate a lifter from a header, how to see gusts and what you must do to improve in every session. Single Private (one to one) Training Rates are:
Single Private Class $150 for 1.5hrs
Package $1350 for 10 classes (total 15 hours - each class is 1.5hrs) or package of $560 for 4 classes (6 hours). I will paddle or windsurf alongside you with demo of windsurfing techniques, talk to you via walkie talkie as well as tow you out & back into the open sea to catch more wind or back to shore safely. Equipment is my 3m Beginner rig, 5.3m Naish sail, Ezzy 6.3m sail and Bic Techno board (with daggerboard) or your own equipment. Location: East Coast Parkway. You're welcome to start with a single class and then decide on the package later on.
I am Singapore Sailing Federation NCAP-certified in Windsurfing . WhatsApp me +6597733045 for appointments or clarifications.
“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
-- Michael Phelps, Olympic-medal winning swimmer
Windsurfing Training Tips
Here, I collate some good Windsurfing Training Tips from websites/pros to help us improve and become better windsurfers.
I no longer teach Beginners' Courses via Passion Wave@East Coast at 1390, East Coast Parkway (phone: 64440409) so go ahead and complete it via https://www.onepa.sg/cat/water-sports/subcat/windsurfing
It's $92 for PASSION members or $102 non-PA members (6 hours lesson) so it's probably one of the cheapest rates you can find in SG. Once you've taken a beginners' course at Passion Wave or anywhere or not at all, you can WhatsApp me 97733045 to start on your exciting road to Walking on Water (it gets faster and faster, of course).
For those who choose not to take any other Beginner's course, it's ok, I can teach that too. There is no certification though as clubs issue that for proof of proficiency. Internationally, clubs don't require certification for rentals. The usual practice is to own his/her set of equipment even from Beginner/Intermediate proficiency. To date, majority of my students own their equipment and are learning to 'plane' or are 'planing'. I'll advise on the correct equipment to buy (the brands I distribute are Duotone, Loft, Fanatic).
Beginners will learn all these in the first 3-5hrs
Intro to Equipment
Points of Sail; Wind, current and weather
Steering & Sailing Across the Wind/Reaching
Tacking
Upwind, Broad Reach, Running
Gybing
Basic Right Of Way Rules (Starboard, Port, Leeward/Windward etc)
Windsurfing Progressive Coaching
If you've taken a beginner's course before and lost as to how to progress to the next level, I can help to ensure consistent progression via walkie talkie coaching up to upwind course sailing, slalom planing level (how to use harness and footstraps) and even windfoiling. Typically, beginners don't come back to rent to practise because i) they drift downwind and get into trouble/danger; become frightened and never return again ii) keep falling, uphauling for hours, dropping sail, crashing onto shore or rocks and come back with nothing but low morale iii) never improve because they don't even know how to sail correctly, everything is guesswork, no idea how their body stance should be and how to even read the wind/current/waves iv) sailing gets worse when wind picks up or when conditions differ (which happens on a daily basis as the wind/current/waves change daily).
Usually, beginners who continue to rent and practise tend not to know 'how to practise correctly' or what to do or look out for, that is, if they even know how to sail without drifting downwind and getting into danger. We only pray that by doing the same thing multiple times, we get better. I use walkie talkies to coach, I will paddle along (or windsurf with you for the intermediate sailors) and provide spot on & immediate feedback (via walkie talkies) to help you master your upwind, tacks, gybes, to plane, using the harness/footstraps, upwind/downwind/reaching planing and slalom (wind allowing). I will give clear instructions what you need to do, what the wind is doing, course management, thought process, how to point/bear away, how to differentiate a lifter from a header, how to see gusts and what you must do to improve in every session. Single Private (one to one) Training Rates are:
Single Private Class $150 for 1.5hrs
Package $1350 for 10 classes (total 15 hours - each class is 1.5hrs) or package of $560 for 4 classes (6 hours). I will paddle or windsurf alongside you with demo of windsurfing techniques, talk to you via walkie talkie as well as tow you out & back into the open sea to catch more wind or back to shore safely. Equipment is my 3m Beginner rig, 5.3m Naish sail, Ezzy 6.3m sail and Bic Techno board (with daggerboard) or your own equipment. Location: East Coast Parkway. You're welcome to start with a single class and then decide on the package later on.
I am Singapore Sailing Federation NCAP-certified in Windsurfing . WhatsApp me +6597733045 for appointments or clarifications.
“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
-- Michael Phelps, Olympic-medal winning swimmer
Windsurfing Training Tips
Here, I collate some good Windsurfing Training Tips from websites/pros to help us improve and become better windsurfers.
Kitesurfing & KiteFoiling
Where & When to Kite?
Here's info about kiting in SG but sorry, we don't teach kitesurfing or kitefoiling. Reason being that Kitesurfing/Kitefoiling is rather dangerous (esp the unbreakable long 25m kite lines and unstable wind) and sea/beach space limitations here. I would suggest you consider learning wing-foiling which is the number 1 fastest-growing extreme sport in the world right now as well as in Singapore. Even though foiling is considered extreme and dangerous, wing-foiling can be learnt and performed safely, even for kids. The wing doesn't pull one out of control unlike the kite. The only danger is the drifting from the wind/current and the sharp foils which can be easily prevented if you take good lessons. WhatsApp me 97733045 if you want to learn or try one wingfoil lesson to assess if it's for you. I get it that foiling is not for any man in the street but we'll be so stoked to share our adrenaline and passion with you. We do sell kite harnesses, kite accessories etc on www.windkitesurfsup.com
During the Southwest Monsoon (June-September), wind is light 6-12kts so use your biggest kites (14-19m) or Foils. Legal spot will be west of Bedok Jetty where it's 5km out of the aircraft radar or Skatepark and westwards. Please stay upwind of the windsurfers for safety reasons as there're plenty of beginners. Beginner kiters are advised not to kite in Singapore until you are proficient in kite control and can go upwind on demand. Current is very strong in Singapore, believe me, it's stronger than you think. Some guys have lost their boards...nature is merciless so please respect the Elements.
“Every time you sleep in, every time you miss a workout, you make it that much easier for me to beat you.” – Unknown
The best season is during the Northeast Monsoon (Dec-March) and we hang out at Changi Beach (Car Park 6). Kite sizes between 9-14m for 10-20kts. However, CAAS has barred kitesurfing on Changi beach for security reasons and only reinstated kiting in 2014 and permit is required for our kiting season December to March. There are strict rules and ONLY registered kiters with Kitesurfing Association Singapore (KAS) are allowed to kite at Changi beach. KAS is run by a team of kiters who are volunteers and hence, there's no website and only a Closed Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/187918291397271/?fref=ts
We are strictly required to abide by the rules and boundaries set by CAAS due to security reasons. Kiters who don't want to follow local rules and insist on your own rules about freedom to kite anywhere, please travel to Malaysia (driving) or Bintan (ferry) for the nearest kiting spots. Beginners are also not allowed at Changi Beach and definitely no teaching.
In summary: 1) No Kite Rental in Singapore (if you need to buy kites, we have new kites on www.windkitesurfsup.com ) 2) No 'organised' kite trips to Bintan or Malaysia 3) I don't recommend you come specifically to Singapore to kite, we are not windy nation 4) No 20-30kts of wind here 5) Kiting is not allowed only at the stated areas and off-seasons (read above) but no, kiting is NOT completely banned in Singapore and so far, no one goes to jail for kiting, yet. Please don't call or email me to ask about the above again cos I didn't set the rules. If unclear, read through the above again or contact KAS, CAAS or NParks directly.
Kitesurfing Holidays
Here we list the immediate neighboring countries in Southeast Asia (driving or up to 2-half hours flight) that we always visit for overseas kitesurfing. Please note that these 'recommendations' are merely the most 'popular', 'tried & tested' destinations & you can always find exotic destinations if you so wish.
MALAYSIA
1) Jason Bay (Tanjung Sedili):
Just 2 hrs from Singapore, it's the most popular driving destination for beginners as well as regular kiters. The waters are shallow till far out, making it very suitable for beginners who are learning to body-drag, water-start and practise relaunch. The beach is an endless horizon of kilometres of sand. Perfect for learning how to ride upwind. Check Google Earth for directions. Perfect for day trips, unsuitable for babies/kids as the toilets there are not that clean. No hotel/restaurant facilities directly on the beach where we kite. The nearest hotel is half an hour away in Desaru. Beware of sandflies if you're bringing kids.
Season: Northeast Monsoon Nov - March
Wind Strength: 8-20kts
2) Kuantan:
5-6hrs drive from Singapore or 2hrs from Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan.
Kuantan is nice for a short holiday between 3-5 days, You can kite anywhere on the beach in front of Swiss Garden Hotel (our favorite) or Duta Beach Resort (cheaper chalets).
Nice waves there, kilometers of never-ending beach...great for families as the 2 hotels are smack right on the beachfront. Beware of sandflies if you're bringing kids!
Season: Northeast Monsoon November - March
Wind Strength: 8-20kts
Season: South-West
Wind Strength: 8-12kts
INDONESIA
Bintan:
1) Agro Beach Resort on Trikora Beach (45 minutes Ferry from Singapore to Bintan, Indonesia)
Perfect flat water, no current and shallow waters-perfect for beginners and lessons.
Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March & South-West Monsoon June-August
2) Bali (Sanur): My all-time Favourite! Needs no introduction...learn from Kadek +62 812 3661964 (he's great-I learnt from him) c/o Jankie's Kitesurfing
3) Sumbawa - Big waves for the advanced kiters. Beginners can stay in the lagoon. Contact Jankie for Sumbawa.
4) Aceh is the newest kid in town for Kitesurfing. Google for kite beaches.
THAILAND
1) Hua Hin (Season: Feb - April): Kilometers of endless beach and dozens of kite centers/schools to choose from, Hua Hin offers great kiting and a holiday.
2) Phuket Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March & South-West Monsoon June-August
Depending on season, the schools move around so please Google search and contact the schools for the latest updates. Tends to be choppy and gusty but in case there's no wind, Phuket offers a great holiday.
PHILIPPINES
Boracay: Beautiful, unique & isolated, Boracay is a awesome getaway. No cars on the island, all the islanders are laid back, friendly and love sun, sea and sand. I recommend my great friend & 'sister' Nenette Graf's Kite/Windsurf Centre Nenette Graf's Greenyard Kite Center and she also owns a hotel there. All the info can be found on her website.
Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March (15-30kts) & South-West Monsoon June-August (8-15kts)
VIETNAM
Mui Ne: 5-6 hrs from Saigon by car, it's cheap, windy & fun! Looking for somewhere 'cheap' to stay with plenty of wind during the winter months, Mui Ne is the ideal place to be. Kite with my friend, Trang. See Trang's 'WindChimes' Kite Center or Pascal's Jibe's Windsurf & Kite Center
North-East Monsoon Nov - March 15-30kts & South-West Monsoon June-August 8-15kts
SRI LANKA
Latest happening in Asia with great winds and many many options of beaches as well as kite schools. Google for your preferred options.
Where & When to Kite?
Here's info about kiting in SG but sorry, we don't teach kitesurfing or kitefoiling. Reason being that Kitesurfing/Kitefoiling is rather dangerous (esp the unbreakable long 25m kite lines and unstable wind) and sea/beach space limitations here. I would suggest you consider learning wing-foiling which is the number 1 fastest-growing extreme sport in the world right now as well as in Singapore. Even though foiling is considered extreme and dangerous, wing-foiling can be learnt and performed safely, even for kids. The wing doesn't pull one out of control unlike the kite. The only danger is the drifting from the wind/current and the sharp foils which can be easily prevented if you take good lessons. WhatsApp me 97733045 if you want to learn or try one wingfoil lesson to assess if it's for you. I get it that foiling is not for any man in the street but we'll be so stoked to share our adrenaline and passion with you. We do sell kite harnesses, kite accessories etc on www.windkitesurfsup.com
During the Southwest Monsoon (June-September), wind is light 6-12kts so use your biggest kites (14-19m) or Foils. Legal spot will be west of Bedok Jetty where it's 5km out of the aircraft radar or Skatepark and westwards. Please stay upwind of the windsurfers for safety reasons as there're plenty of beginners. Beginner kiters are advised not to kite in Singapore until you are proficient in kite control and can go upwind on demand. Current is very strong in Singapore, believe me, it's stronger than you think. Some guys have lost their boards...nature is merciless so please respect the Elements.
“Every time you sleep in, every time you miss a workout, you make it that much easier for me to beat you.” – Unknown
The best season is during the Northeast Monsoon (Dec-March) and we hang out at Changi Beach (Car Park 6). Kite sizes between 9-14m for 10-20kts. However, CAAS has barred kitesurfing on Changi beach for security reasons and only reinstated kiting in 2014 and permit is required for our kiting season December to March. There are strict rules and ONLY registered kiters with Kitesurfing Association Singapore (KAS) are allowed to kite at Changi beach. KAS is run by a team of kiters who are volunteers and hence, there's no website and only a Closed Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/187918291397271/?fref=ts
We are strictly required to abide by the rules and boundaries set by CAAS due to security reasons. Kiters who don't want to follow local rules and insist on your own rules about freedom to kite anywhere, please travel to Malaysia (driving) or Bintan (ferry) for the nearest kiting spots. Beginners are also not allowed at Changi Beach and definitely no teaching.
In summary: 1) No Kite Rental in Singapore (if you need to buy kites, we have new kites on www.windkitesurfsup.com ) 2) No 'organised' kite trips to Bintan or Malaysia 3) I don't recommend you come specifically to Singapore to kite, we are not windy nation 4) No 20-30kts of wind here 5) Kiting is not allowed only at the stated areas and off-seasons (read above) but no, kiting is NOT completely banned in Singapore and so far, no one goes to jail for kiting, yet. Please don't call or email me to ask about the above again cos I didn't set the rules. If unclear, read through the above again or contact KAS, CAAS or NParks directly.
Kitesurfing Holidays
Here we list the immediate neighboring countries in Southeast Asia (driving or up to 2-half hours flight) that we always visit for overseas kitesurfing. Please note that these 'recommendations' are merely the most 'popular', 'tried & tested' destinations & you can always find exotic destinations if you so wish.
MALAYSIA
1) Jason Bay (Tanjung Sedili):
Just 2 hrs from Singapore, it's the most popular driving destination for beginners as well as regular kiters. The waters are shallow till far out, making it very suitable for beginners who are learning to body-drag, water-start and practise relaunch. The beach is an endless horizon of kilometres of sand. Perfect for learning how to ride upwind. Check Google Earth for directions. Perfect for day trips, unsuitable for babies/kids as the toilets there are not that clean. No hotel/restaurant facilities directly on the beach where we kite. The nearest hotel is half an hour away in Desaru. Beware of sandflies if you're bringing kids.
Season: Northeast Monsoon Nov - March
Wind Strength: 8-20kts
2) Kuantan:
5-6hrs drive from Singapore or 2hrs from Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan.
Kuantan is nice for a short holiday between 3-5 days, You can kite anywhere on the beach in front of Swiss Garden Hotel (our favorite) or Duta Beach Resort (cheaper chalets).
Nice waves there, kilometers of never-ending beach...great for families as the 2 hotels are smack right on the beachfront. Beware of sandflies if you're bringing kids!
Season: Northeast Monsoon November - March
Wind Strength: 8-20kts
Season: South-West
Wind Strength: 8-12kts
INDONESIA
Bintan:
1) Agro Beach Resort on Trikora Beach (45 minutes Ferry from Singapore to Bintan, Indonesia)
Perfect flat water, no current and shallow waters-perfect for beginners and lessons.
Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March & South-West Monsoon June-August
2) Bali (Sanur): My all-time Favourite! Needs no introduction...learn from Kadek +62 812 3661964 (he's great-I learnt from him) c/o Jankie's Kitesurfing
3) Sumbawa - Big waves for the advanced kiters. Beginners can stay in the lagoon. Contact Jankie for Sumbawa.
4) Aceh is the newest kid in town for Kitesurfing. Google for kite beaches.
THAILAND
1) Hua Hin (Season: Feb - April): Kilometers of endless beach and dozens of kite centers/schools to choose from, Hua Hin offers great kiting and a holiday.
2) Phuket Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March & South-West Monsoon June-August
Depending on season, the schools move around so please Google search and contact the schools for the latest updates. Tends to be choppy and gusty but in case there's no wind, Phuket offers a great holiday.
PHILIPPINES
Boracay: Beautiful, unique & isolated, Boracay is a awesome getaway. No cars on the island, all the islanders are laid back, friendly and love sun, sea and sand. I recommend my great friend & 'sister' Nenette Graf's Kite/Windsurf Centre Nenette Graf's Greenyard Kite Center and she also owns a hotel there. All the info can be found on her website.
Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March (15-30kts) & South-West Monsoon June-August (8-15kts)
VIETNAM
Mui Ne: 5-6 hrs from Saigon by car, it's cheap, windy & fun! Looking for somewhere 'cheap' to stay with plenty of wind during the winter months, Mui Ne is the ideal place to be. Kite with my friend, Trang. See Trang's 'WindChimes' Kite Center or Pascal's Jibe's Windsurf & Kite Center
North-East Monsoon Nov - March 15-30kts & South-West Monsoon June-August 8-15kts
SRI LANKA
Latest happening in Asia with great winds and many many options of beaches as well as kite schools. Google for your preferred options.