By Chew V'Ming

Photo by Lyv Meah

Head to East Coast Park on a windy weekend, and you might just witness all manner of boards, hydrofoils and other curious contraptions being disgorged from the back of vehicles at Car Park D1.

Congrats, you’ve just discovered the kiters and wingers of Car Park D1 - watersport enthusiasts from all walks of life, bound by easy camaraderie, and the chase for the surfers’ rush, aka “stoke”.

We speak to some of them.

Low Swee Heng (seated on right) waiting for the wind to pick up. Photo: @jianqijimmy

Low Swee Heng, 55

Finance director

How long have you been kiting/winging?

More than 10 years on the kite. I just started to learn winging.

How did you get started?

I took kite lessons in Bintan, and the rest is history.

What’s your advice for interested beginners?

Just do it! Go learn in a windy place and keep at it when you’re back here. Once you enjoy it, there’s no turning back! Can buy secondhand gear to keep costs down.

What keeps you coming back?

The speed and fun! And the community! Everyone’s chill and friendly.

Why Car Park D1?

Free parking and toilet nearby. Also, within the permitted areas for kiting.

Mason Lau with his father, Xavier, at the Northeast Monsoon Grand Prix. Photo: @jianqijimmy

Mason Lau, 9

P3 pupil at Tao Nan School

How long have you been winging?

I’ve been learning for 10 months.

How did you get started?

I watched my father wing at the beach. Then I met Max (Maeder) last year, and my father asked me if I wanted to try the sport.

What is the hardest thing about wingfoiling?

I kept falling down. But must not give up.

What’s your advice for other interested kids?

Just try!

What keeps you coming back?

Because it is very fun. Flying above water and going so fast.

Xavier Lau, 47

Swimming and multi-sports coach for all ages

How long have you been kiting/winging?

Five years kiting, and three years winging. 

How did you get started?

My good buddy, kite and wing instructor Vincent Lam, influenced me. 

Is kiting/winging an expensive sport?

It can be quite costly. However, there is always affordable used equipment available.

What’s your advice for interested beginners?

Safety first. Get an instructor and just do it!

What keeps you coming back?

The feeling of flying above water is amazing. 

Why Car Park D1?

Nice people are here; we’re all watching out for one another, and free parking!

Jimmy Qi riding the waves off East Coast. Photo: @jianqijimmy

Jimmy Qi, 43

Business director

How long have you been kiting/winging?

More than 10 years of windsurfing and kiting. Two years winging; I started later than the rest. 

How did you get started?

I took windsurfing lessons at PA (PAssion Wave @East Coast). One of the instructors was so certain that many of us would drop out that I decided to persevere and continue!

Is kiting/winging an expensive sport?

Yes, it can be expensive at first. But lots of used gear now.

What’s your advice for interested beginners?

Take lessons and just do it! Don’t give up easily, it’s not as difficult as you think, and water time is the key!

What keeps you coming back?

I enjoy being part of a sport for the love of it. I don’t compete, but I like taking photos and videos of racers. I’m also a bit of a gear geek - I like well-designed equipment.

Why Car Park D1?

There’s enough space for kiting, and free parking; very important as we don’t want to be interrupted by summons!

Most important are the friends here - we wing or kite together, laugh and have fun together. It’s also not ideal to go out alone, as we have to take care of one another in case of emergencies.

Now, going to Car Park D1 has become a way of life.

Early birds at the beach. From left: Nick Chua, Low Swee Heng and Edmund Tang. Photo: V Chew

Checking out the latest innovation in windsport - the parawing. Photo: Lyv Meah