NYAA Entry - Physical Recreation - Entry 2 - Kayaking Expedition II

ENTRY FOR PHYSICAL RECREATION
Kayak Expedition II

Participants
Calvin, Jiawei, Seth, Zhan Liang

Overview
- Journey from Kallang Sea Sports Club (KLSSC)
- Canoed along Kallang Basin towards Gay Beach
- Detoured to Singapore River and Merlion
- Back to KLSSC to disembark for lunch break
- Canoeing around Kallang Basin towards Singapore Dragonboat Association, National Stadium, National Indoor Stadium
- Completed more than 15 km of mileage in 6.5 hours, from 1000-1630

Kayaking @ Kallang

Date: 4/2/2007 Hours Completed: 6.5 Hours (1000-1630)

We decided to try out Kallang this time, as we have this is the only area available and that we have not tried to canoe in (East Coast does not provide). Our group of 4 met at 0900 before proceeding to KLSSC from Lavender MRT station. Preparations were a ease now that we had enough practice last week. We got into our appropriate attire and collected the relevant equipment before launching our kayaks into the sea by 1000. Thats when we got a feel of the water at Kallang, which was fortunately much less choppy as compared to Changi, giving us greater ease of covering great distances without needing to tire ourselves out.

We then set off to Gay Beach, which is down Kallang Basin towards the river mouth. However, upon reaching, we saw many big ships and what seemed to be a major construction site. Not wanting to risk proceeding on as we were still considered amateur kayakers, we decided to make a detour and went towards Singapore River instead.

By the time we reached the Merlion, it was already 12pm. It was the first time many of us got up close with the Merlion, and even more we were in the water. We took a risk and kayaked under the pouring water from the Merlion's mouth -- something that many would not believe that we actually did. It was crucial to watch out for one another as the Singapore River was flooded with tourist bump boats and duck tour boats, which were much bigger in size and intimidating in the speed they were travelling at. We also made a trip to the Esplanade and saw the magnificent architecture at an unique angle.

By then all the kayaking had got us hungry, so we decided to return to KLSSC for a lunch break. Even though the journey back was round 5km, the favourable wave conditions gave us an additional push and we reached back in an instant. I could feel that I was able to better at a greater ease than before, probably due to the fact that all this kayaking has been strengthening my arm muscles. By the time we reached KLSSC, it was around 1.15pm. That was when we disembarked, washed up, and went for lunch

We return shortly to continue with our physical recreation. This time, we kayaked towards the other direction to reach the Singapore Dragonboat Association, where we passed by many teams training in their dragonboats. We hugged the shore of Kallang Basin and reached the National Stadium as well as the National Indoor Stadium, before returning to shore at about 4.30pm.

We watched the kayaks and returned the equipment before washing up and leaving KLSSC for home