Caption: Over 300 crafts participated in the SG60 Open Seas Festival, celebrating our free public access to the open waters. Will we still have this access for the next 60 years?

SINGAPORE, 29 JUL 2025 — Over 500 people aged 8 to 80 took to Singapore’s waters off the East Coast on Saturday, 3 August 2025.

Over 40 keelboats and multihulls from Changi Sailing Club, SAF Yacht Club, Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, and One15 Marina Club converged on the waters off Amber Beacon Tower. In addition, over 100 paddlers on SUP (Stand-Up Paddle), Outrigger Canoes and Surf Skis made their presence felt. At the same time, over 200 sailors in ILCAs and Optimists sailed west from the National Sailing Centre to join in, as part of their Pesta Sukan Regatta passage race.

The Singapore Sailing Federation co-organised the SG60 Open Seas Festival with Changi Sailing Club, SAF Yacht Club, Aloha Sea Sports Centre, Constant Wind Sea Sport Centre and PA Water Venture to showcase our diverse and lively maritime community at Singapore's East Coast.

"The story of Singapore is tied to the seas around us,” said Mr Leslie Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Sailing. “We are islanders at heart, and since it is our nation’s 60th National Day, what better way to celebrate than to gather on water to mark our maritime heritage, which goes back hundreds of years.”

For sailor Choy Yi Hong, Singapore’s waterways are both deeply personal and professional. 

“To me, Singapore’s waterways represent far more than geographical features – they are my personal and professional lifeblood,” said Choy, who is also the general manager of Changi Sailing Club and who will take part in the festival with his club members.

“As a sailor, the sea is both playground and sanctuary. It is also my greatest teacher, with each journey offering lessons in skill, patience and resilience. Out on the water, one finds both freedom and challenge, and through every course chartered and storm weathered, a lifelong bond between sailor and sea is formed.

“As GM of Changi Sailing Club, these waters are a vital community space, where people from all walks of life come together to connect, grow and celebrate a shared love for the sea. It is here that the traditions of seamanship are passed down, where youth discover courage and teamwork, and where even diplomacy can flourish – as demonstrated during events like our annual Ambassadors’ Cup,” added Choy.

“SG60 is a significant milestone for Singapore, so our members naturally want to participate,” said Mr Ho Kah Soon, the Director of Constant Wind Sea Sport Centre, on the enthusiastic response of his club. 

“Being part of SG60 is an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful national moment. Every sailor and paddler wants to be part of SG60 because it’s not just a celebration – it’s a chance to represent our sport, our community, and our love for the sea as part of Singapore’s journey.” 

Additionally, there is a strong sense of community spirit. The water sports communities are tight-knit and supportive. They rally around the big events,” added Ho.

World-class sea sports venue

Singapore has hosted major events on the waters off the East Coast, like the 2023 Singapore Sail GP and the 2025 SB20 World Championships. The legacy goes back to the 1980s, where Singapore hosted premier events like the 1990 Asian Optimist Championships, 1991 World Boardsailing Championships, and 1993 Asia Pacific Laser Championships. At windsurfing’s peak in the 1990s, the then East Coast Sailing Centre was also the world’s largest windsurfing centre/club with thousands learning and enjoying the sport in its heydays.

These waters offer a unique world-class sailing location during both the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons. More importantly, these are shared waters for the larger water community with nonstop 24/7 activities – anglers from night to sunrise, standup paddlers and outrigger canoeists at sunset, and of course sailors, windsurfers, kitesurfers and now wingfoilers out on water, especially when the wind is blowing!

Our sailors fly our flag at the Asian and Olympic Games

"Our access to sailing waters has been instrumental in Singapore's sporting success," said Mr Stanley Chan, President of Singapore Sailing.

"Thousands of young Singaporeans have learnt to sail off the East Coast since the National Sailing Centre was first built in 1999,” added Chan. 

“Sailing is one of our nation's top sports. Our sailors have won more Asian Games gold medals than in any other sport, and 35 sailors from Singapore have qualified for the Olympics to date. Access to open waters has been key to that success.”

Looking Forward Together

“Despite our deep connection to the sea, dark clouds loom,” said President Chan. 

“Currently, only 10% of Singapore’s coastline is freely accessible to the public. With the upcoming Long Island reclamation, Singaporeans stand to lose over 10km of public access to the open sea off the East Coast Beach. This is also where the majority of water sports activities take place in Singapore. 

Yes, Long Island will protect Singapore because climate change is an existential threat. However, if not designed, planned and implemented properly, Singaporeans will lose this precious stretch of sailing and paddling waters.. Our connection to the sea defines us. We are islanders. Singapore’s history is woven with these waters.”

“Singapore’s waters, though increasingly constrained and busy, remain rich with possibility,” said Choy. “To me, they embody the spirit of stewardship – the responsibility to protect, share and champion a maritime heritage that has shaped our national identity, and will, I hope, continue to inspire generations to come.”

"As we celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday, we remember how the sea has shaped, and will continue to shape our lives," said Tan. "The open sea gives freedom to us and our children. Let’s keep the seas open for our next generation.”

For media inquiries:
Stefanus Ian (stefanusian@singaporesailing.org.sg)
Singapore Sailing Federation

About the Singapore Sailing Federation:
The Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) is the National Sports Association responsible for managing and organising the sport of sailing in Singapore. Established in 1966, the SSF's mission encompasses both competitive excellence and broad community engagement. This strategic approach aims to foster a vibrant sailing community and reinforce Singapore's standing as a hub for both competitive sailing and water sports. 

Sailing is Singapore’s top-performing sport at the Asian Games level. Of the 42 gold medals that Team Singapore have won to date at the Asian Games, Sailing has won 14 (33%). At the 2023 Asian Games, Sailing accounted for two-thirds of the gold medals and seven out of 13 (54%) medals won by Team Singapore.

At the Olympic level, Sailing has consistently demonstrated the ability to qualify and improve performance. There have been 35 Singaporean Olympians to date, the joint-highest number of Olympians from one sport.

To nurture new sailors, the ActiveSailing department has various programmes to develop junior and youth sailors. These programmes are open to the general public.

The Performance Pathways department focuses on developing junior, youth and senior national sailors. Our best sailors represent the nation at the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, Olympic Games, and at major continental and world championships.  

To achieve high-performance outcomes, Singapore Sailing works closely with the High Performance Sport Institute, the Singapore National Olympic Council, and World Sailing (the international governing body). 

Singapore Sailing organises key annual events, including the Singapore Youth Sailing Championship and the Singapore National Sailing Championship, which attract both local and international participants. Singapore Sailing also recently hosted the 2024 World Sailing Annual Conference and the 2025 SB20 World Championships.

Singapore Sailing also offers free public sailing at Marina Bay, making sailing accessible to urban dwellers and activating the city's water spaces for recreational use. 

Photos from the event can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XFdi1lr13jj6kzKdkDA911HZ2QbvM1Rj?usp=sharing
(Photos by Singapore Sailing Federation)