PAssion Wave Celebrates 50th Anniversary with First Evening Dragon Boat Paddle at Marina Bay

In a spectacular celebration of its 50th anniversary, PAssion Wave, a cornerstone of community water sports and waterfront lifestyle activities, hosted its inaugural evening dragon boat paddle, the ‘Glow PAddle’, at Marina Bay. Officiated by Mr. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Second Minister for Law, and Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association, the event marked a significant milestone for PAssion Wave.

Glow PAddle Lights Up Marina Bay

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, over 150 community volunteers, partners, and stakeholders joined Mr. Tong for a unique nighttime dragon boat paddle. The Glow PAddle took participants on a scenic expedition into Marina Bay, illuminated by the vibrant iLight 2024 installations, against the stunning backdrop of Singapore’s skyline. This limited-time activity is available to the public throughout June, inviting everyone to experience the magic of night paddling.

A Journey of Five Decades

PAssion Wave, originally established as the People’s Association Adventure Club in 1974, has been instrumental in promoting water sports and community engagement. From the 1970s to the 1990s, numerous canoe clubs and sea sports centres emerged, fostering youth participation, community spirit, physical well-being, and leadership skills. These clubs eventually consolidated into the six current PAssion Wave outlets.

Milestones and Innovations

The launch of PAssion Wave @ Marina Bay in 2015 marked a new era, transforming it into the first specialist community club under the PAssion Wave brand. This shift expanded its focus from water sports to a broader range of waterfront lifestyle programmes, fostering shared community experiences. In 2023, PAssion Wave @ Bedok Reservoir opened, featuring inclusive facilities like the first barrier-free kayak launch point and an indoor dragon boat simulator, addressing the diverse needs of the community.

Building Bonds Through Water Sports

PAssion Wave has not only nurtured community bonds but also strengthened family ties, as seen in the story of Mrs. Lim Jia Hui and her daughter Coanne Lim. Jia Hui, a kayaking instructor at PAssion Wave, inspired her daughter to take up the sport. Coanne, now a participant in the Asian Canoe Junior Championship, volunteers at PAssion Wave, further contributing to the paddling community.

Looking to the Future

As PAssion Wave navigates the future, it remains committed to fostering shared experiences through innovative water-based lifestyle programmes and volunteerism. By continually evolving and collaborating with networks, PAssion Wave aims to enrich the community’s engagement with water sports and waterfront activities.

For the latest updates on PAssion Wave’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations, follow PAssion Wave on Facebook and Instagram.