Singapore Wake Park at East Coast

The only cable ski park in Singapore, the Singapore Wake Park, is now open again at East Coast Park.

The cable ski attraction returns to Singapore after a hiatus of two years with a change in management. The new cable ski park features three state of the art cable systems comprising of two Sesitec System 2.0s (System 2.0) – designed for beginners and a full sized cable system for experienced wakeboarders. These are all surrounded by an enclosed body of water.

Singapore Wake Park returns after a two year hiatus.

As well there is also a cafe & bar, shower facilities and other complimentary facilities – setting up the Singapore Wake Park as a new hangout for families and visitors to frequent the East Coast Lagoon.

Easy for newcomers and challenging for wakeboard enthusiasts

Explained Ekanaga Saputra Hatta (Long), Director at Island Lifestyle Group, the new operators of the Singapore Wake Park, “As the only cable ski park in the country, we wanted to create a place that is both easy for newcomers and challenging for wakeboard enthusiasts.”

It is the only cable-ski facility in Singapore.

He continued, “Drawing on our experience in managing cable ski parks overseas, we know that we are not just building a new wakeboard facility; we are bringing together a community of like minded individuals who have a penchant for adventure and new experiences. Singapore Wake Park will be like a destination for locals and tourists alike, and a pit stop for families and those exercising within East Coast Park vicinity.”

Invited to try out the new cable ski facilities

I had been recently invited to try out the the new cable ski facilities – and I did so together with a friend, Kwek Joon Keng.

As with customers who purchase a package with Singapore Wake Park, the cable ski equipment, vests and helmets are all provided. But visitors also have the option to purchase their own wakeboard and swimwear from the shop on-site.

I was recently invited to experience the Singapore Wake Park for myself.

Two beginner System 2.0 cables for novices

As Joon Keng and I were both beginners, we first tried out the beginners’ System 2.0 cable. Featuring a two tower system that is well suited to novices, this allows only one rider at a time – to allow the instructor to fully focus on the person.

Furthermore, the cable has a gentle increase in speed from 0km/h to 25km/h to help beginners anticipate the pull of the cable and is controlled manually to allow individual adjustments.

The ease of usage of this cable also makes it accessible to both children and seniors who wish to learn the basics of wakeboarding.

I was a bit apprehensive about it at the beginning.

The cables are also environmentally friendly, with low noise and zero greenhouse gas emission. This improves the overall riding experience – as it means that the quality of water in the lagoon is not being compromised.

Trying this out for the very first time, I admit that I had been a bit apprehensive and there were plenty of questions playing in my mind, for example, whether I would actually be able to hang onto the cable, or whether I would make a fool of myself by immediately falling face-first into the water!

It was fun!

But after my first outing, I realised that it was in fact, quite fun and I couldn’t wait to go again. For the beginner’s System 2.0 cable, I also managed to make it to the end of the line more than once, whilst standing up on the beginner’s board – which had been a relief!

The wakeboarding turned out to be very fun!

Intermediate cable was more challenging

However the intermediate System 2.0 cable had been much harder to master! This is because there are a few obstacles along the path – which you are required to swerve around.

As well, you are required to make a u-turn when you reach the end, in order to head back to the beginning of the circuit – I admit that I didn’t manage to achieve this. Whenever I tried to move the board toward the sides in order to keep the cable taut, I would promptly fall into the water! I think that’s because I probably needed more practice!

The boards here were also harder to manoeuvre. For the beginner cables, we had been provided boards with sandals attached onto them, but for the intermediate cables, we were equipped with actual wakeboards, which contained the actual strap-on boots that most people would use.

Wakeboarding is not as easy as it looks…

Instructors were very helpful and friendly

But the instructors had all been extremely helpful and friendly though, in pointing out what we were doing wrong, what we were supposed to do, and showing us the ropes of how things worked. This is always helpful in picking up a new sport.

Added Joon Keng, 34, a project manager in the construction industry, “The staff and instructors were very friendly and helpful to all participants. They are also very conversant and confident in the sport, guiding new comers on how to get ourselves into it.”

…but the experienced ones do it so effortlessly…

He continued, “They were very patient to us in explaining the 4 ‘L’s of wakeboarding, that is, look straight, lock your arms, lean back and lift up your toes.”

Watching the pros from the sidelines perform these turns, as well as some amazing stunts though, I must admit that they make it look really easy. But I wonder how long they had been practising for, in order to be this good.

Another difference between the intermediate cable and the beginner’s cable, was also that for the intermediate cable, when you fall into the water, you also get to learn how to perform a ‘deep water start’ – but this is provided that your wakeboard is still attached to your feet. I thought that this wasn’t too different from starting whilst seated, though.

The Singapore Wake Park is well set up.

Full sized cable for experienced riders

The full sized cable – which we didn’t dare to try at this early stage – has six towers and six evenly spaced out carriers to take experienced riders around the cable ski park. It uses advanced sensor technology to ensure reliable interaction among all components in the system.

Stable floating walkways on the edges of the lagoon both serve as wave breakers for a smoother riding experience, as well as platforms for riders to climb on and walk safely back to the starting docks.

At Singapore Wake Park, everyone can do wakeboarding.

In the near future, riders would also be able to perfect their tricks and hang-time in the air on the new obstacles that are being built by leading brand UNIT Parktech – and would be ready by the end of the year.

Knee boards and cable skis

Besides the actual wakeboards, customers can also try out the knee boards or cable skis. Joon Keng had tested out the knee boards, but I didn’t because I had preferred to jump straight into the standing boards.

Later, Joon Keng had mentioned that the knee boards are a great option for complete novices to get the feel of things, such as how fast the cables function and what it feels like to be riding out there, before heading out on the wakeboards.

There is a wide range of equipment for rental at Singapore Wake Park.

A fun and fulfilling experience

Overall I must admit that it had been an extremely fun and fulfilling afternoon doing wakeboarding – and both of us had a tremendous amount of fun! I think that I would definitely want to be back again.

Added Joon Keng, “It’s a very nice environment to try out cable ski and wakeboarding.”

Both of us found the experience to be a very fulfilling one.

The Coastal Rhythm Cafe

In fact, the only dampener of our time at the Singapore Wake Park however, had been when there had been an approaching thunderstorm about half an hour into our session, so everyone was called out of the water to shelter at the cafe & bar next to the lagoon.

And within minutes of us taking refuge at the cafe, a full flown thunderstorm had swept straight through the Singapore Wake Park! It was good that our safety had been taken into consideration, first and foremost.

The Coastal Rhythm Cafe at the Singapore Wake Park.

Called Coastal Rhythm, the cafe has a full food and drinks menu and is a great place not only for wakeboarders to get a breather, but also for cyclists and runners to stop by and chill out over food and drinks.

Our group had shared several snacks at this cafe; these included fried chicken wings, spicy tandoori chicken, hash browns with barbecue sauce, fried otak as well as deep fried squids. According to the organisers, these items had been some of the house specialities from the cafe.

The cafe has a full food & drinks menu.

Other features at the Singapore Wake Park

Besides the cafe and the shop, the Singapore Wake Park also has amenities such as shower facilities, changing rooms, lockers for safekeeping of valuables and free wireless connectivity for guests to work and play.

The Singapore Wake Park also has floodlights to fully illuminate the area so that riders can continue to enjoy themselves at nights too.