School holiday activities have gained a lot of popularity these days all over the world, especially in Singapore for kids. I remember that Summer Camp Singapore 2018 was especially a super hit. If you want to do something outgoing instead of engaging in some school holiday activities at home then it is time that you go the extra mile and do something adventurous. Out of all the school holiday activities near me that are common among school students, sailing or yachting has taken a special spot.
Let us take a look at why sailing or yachting has topped the list of holiday activities for students in Singapore.
- Singapore enjoys a tropical monsoon type of climate and mesmerising beaches, making it the perfect place for engaging in kids’ vacation activities like swimming, sailing, yachting, snorkelling, windsurfing and many other school holiday activities.
- Singapore has numerous beaches, some of which are even free from commercial use, making them the best places for sailing school holiday activities or yachting in Singapore.
- Singapore is the melting pot of traditional values and modernity. Thus, there is always something available for you to do, no matter how diverse your taste and preferences are.
- You get the perfect setting to soak in the mesmerising Singaporean flora and fauna during your sailing experience during such stress free school holiday activities. You will be learning the essential skills of becoming a sailor in the lap of mother nature, forging eternal bonds between you, your peers and the natural world that we end up neglecting in our hectic daily lives in the concrete jungles of a city.
- Not only can you relax, have fun and learn the basics of sailing in the holiday camp, you can also get further formal training for sailing or yachting in Singapore as an aspiring sailor if that is your calling or simply for family activities this weekend.
Let us dive deeper into some of the school holiday activities that you can do in this holiday camp:
- Swimming:
The beautiful beaches in Singapore would beckon you to take a dip in the water. While the Singaporean waters have a busy water traffic, there are still plenty of beaches which are free from commercial activities. Thus, you can swim and unwind the cool ocean water with ease. This is one of the most popular kid’s vacation activities since it is fun and also teaches the child the essential life skill of swimming.
- Snorkelling:
One of such amazing holiday activities for students is snorkelling. It is swimming with a snorkel and swimming goggles. Snorkelling is usually done in shallow and clear water where you can experience the beauty of the marine world with beautiful marine life and landscape. After you are done with the snorkelling session, it would probably take you a while to take in the sublimity that you have just experienced.
- Windsurfing:
It is a combined form of surfing and sailing. A small human-sized sail is attached to a surfboard and surfers can use their skill and take the waves as well as the wind to create the ultimate experience. Singapore is a great kidsstop for holiday activities and has a lot of kids holiday windsurfing options. So, if you are a pro or wish to learn these fun skills, then you should definitely give it a try under professional supervision.
- Sailing- Boating or Yachting:
Let us understand the basic difference between a boat and yacht at first:
| YACHT | BOAT |
| Yachts are significantly larger than boats | Boats fall under the smaller division of seafaring vessels |
| Yachts are associated with luxury | Boats are mostly associated with commercial usage |
| Yachts are mostly very expensive | Most boats, with a few exceptions are mostly reasonable |
| Yachts are fast and thus, used for racing competitions | Boats are slower in comparison to yachts |
| Yachts are mostly associated with entertainment | Boats are mostly associated with commercial utility |
| You need at least a couple of crewmembers to sail a yacht properly. | You do not need a lot of crew members to sail a boat. Usually one or two crew members are enough. |
| Yachts have very powerful engines. | Boat engines fall behind the capacity of yacht engines. |
Whether it is boating or yachting, sailing is one of the most fun things that you can do this kids holiday season or for family activities this weekend. Not only are you going to learn one of the oldest human activities, but you are also going to have lots of fun and grow your character as an individual in so many ways.
- You will be learning an essential life skill.
- You will be creating some of your most precious life-long friendships.
- You will be transforming into a leader and learn teamwork.
- You will learn the importance and confidence to take responsibilities.
- You will become much fitter and healthier, both physically and mentally.
- You will become more aware of the nature around you and develop a sense of love and responsibility towards it.
Wondering where you can find good sailing courses or activities in Singapore for kids?
If you are looking for something like summer camp Singapore 2023, then Hi-Tech Sailing is the one for you. Hi-Tech Sailing Singapore was founded by Mr. Steve Kennedy in 2023 and is the ultimate kidsstop for fun sailing activities and courses. Mr. Kennedy has more than 30 years of experience as a sailor, with over 20 years of experience as an educator. He has bagged awards in several mirror fleet competitions, club and state-level championships, and national-level competitions and secured 4th position in the 1999 World Championship in his boat, ‘ Hi-Tech’, hence the name Hi-Tech Sailing.
Let’s take a look at an on-going holiday camp by Hi-Tech Sailing:
SCHOOL HOLIDAY COURSES
(For students aged 12 and above)
Get the kids off the screens and outdoors, having fun and learning!
Morning Timing: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Afternoon Timing: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Course conducted over 4 consecutive days and includes course materials and theory and log book (Following the Learn to Sail Keelboat Level 1 course in Singapore for kids).
- Experienced and qualified coaches.
- $550 per student (4 day course).
- Minimum of 3 per group to run the course – Maximum group size of 4 (coach on board with students at all times).
- Emphasis on having fun, safety, cooperation, and communication, building confidence and resilience (and learning how to sail, of course).
NEXT COURSE DATES:
- 20th – 23rd November
- 27th – 30th November
- 4th – 7th November
Please inquire for additional information or questions.
Sign Up Form
Email the completed form to steve@hitechsailing.com.sg
Course Details:
Day 1:
- Swim test – water orientation wearing PFDs – safety considerations before and during sailing (weather)
- Parts of the boat and rigging up (how to) – figure 8 knot
- Points of sailing – Focus on ‘Reaching’
- Leaving and returning to the dock (how to assist as a crew)
- Basic steering and sail trim – Sailing on a reaching course
- Tacking
Day 2:
- Students discuss the weather forecast (wind, tide) and consider how it affects the session/safety
- Revise parts of the boat, points of sail, sail trim, and figure 8 knot (theory)
- Rig up the boat – (assisted) – ‘Round turn & 2 half hitches knot.’
- Leaving and returning to the dock (helping as crew)
- Practice sailing on reaching course (around marks)
- Tacking with good technique and crew work (timing weight movement)
Day 3:
- Students discuss the weather forecast and consider how it affects the session/safety
- Rig up the boat – (assisted) – ‘Bowline Knot’
- Leaving and returning to the dock (students do this with coach guidance)
- Sailing on a Close-Hauled and Broad Reaching course
- Gybing (when to tack vs gybe)
- Planning a course/planning for coming back to the dock
Day 4:
- Students discuss the weather forecast and consider how it affects the session/safety
- Rig up the boat – (minimal assistance) – The ‘Reef Knot’
- Students leave and berth at the dock mostly unassisted
- Sailing on a Running course – Windward / Leeward course
- Right of way rules – between sailing boats and power/sail
- For confident students, an introduction to using the spinnaker
Day 5:
- Students discuss the weather forecast and consider how it affects the session/safety
- Students rig up the boat unassisted
- Leaving and returning to the dock unassisted (coach on standby)
- Sailing on all points of sail (with Spinnaker if skills allow)
- Planning a short trip – including weather and tide considerations
- Person overboard drill
- Races (if 2 boats)
I have seen a lot of kids engage in these fun school holiday activities near me and it sometimes makes me wish I could do something as well. So, if you are an adult and want to do something fun and useful while the kids are busy becoming the next top sailor, you can get enrolled in the fun sailing courses offered by Hi-Sailing Sailing yourself. Refer to the lists below to get an idea of what they have in offer.
Example Course 1: Hi-Tech Keelboat Course Level 1:
- Basic Sailing Terminology / Parts of the boat
- Basic weather forecast checking
- Personal safety considerations/procedures
- Rigging and care of the boat
- Steering, Sail Trim, Balance, Boat Trim basics
- Preparing and leaving the dock (as a crew)
- Returning to dock slowly and safely (crew)
- Person overboard procedure
- Sailing on a reaching course (helm and crew)
- Tacking and Gybing manoeuvres (helm and crew)
Example Course 2: Hi-Tech Keelboat Course Level 2:
- Advanced Sailing Terminology / Parts of the boat
- Meteorology and basic navigation
- Understanding of boat and crew safety requirements
- Able to rig and prepare the boat for sailing
- Steering, Sail Trim, Balance, and Boat Trim under the supervision of an experienced skipper
- Preparing and leaving the dock
- Returning to dock slowly and safely (helm)
- Sailing on a Windward / Leeward Course (helm and crew)
- Tacking and Gybing manoeuvres Windward / Leeward Course (as helm and crew)
Example Course 3: Learning to Race Course-
- Advanced sail trim theory and practical
- Steering on the wind using telltales
- Starting procedure, rules, and pre-start practice
- Pre-start routine and plan for the first upwind leg
- Mark rounding (with and without spinnaker)
- Steering down wind – shortest distance vs spinnaker pressure
- Roll tacking and roll gybing
Example Course 4: Learning to Cruise Course-
- Advanced weather – making safe decisions
- Preparing for a day sail trip – anticipating challenges
- Checking boat seaworthiness
- Sailing (helm and crew) in a sailor-like manner
- Able to skipper a small yacht in Singapore waters
- Person overboard procedure
- Sailing (helm and crew) on all points of sail
- Reefing sails / making decisions on when to reef and which sails to use
- Anchoring / choosing a place to anchor
- Tacking and Gybing
Example Course 5: Keelboat Crew Course-
- Steer on all points of sail with a skipper on board
- Trim sails correctly at all points of sail
- Interpreting weather forecasts / preparing accordingly
- Correct rigging of the boat
- Hoisting, dropping, and gybing the spinnaker
- Sailing to leeward with spinnaker (gybing angles downwind)
- Right-of-way rules and primary navigation
Example Course 6: One Off Session Course-
Experiential Session:
- Do you just want to experience sailing with a couple of friends or family members with an expert skipper who will take you on a cruise?
- No prior experience is needed. No coursework commitment.
- It’s a great way to try sailing and see if you enjoy it!
- Guaranteed Instagram-worthy photos!
Practice Session:
- Are you looking to brush up on your skills after no sailing?
- Completed one of our courses but feel you need more practice to reinforce the skills you’ve learned.
- Any level of experience is welcome.
Team Training:
- Have a team together and are looking to fine-tune for the next club race or regatta?
- Includes an onboard coach.
If this sounds interesting to you and you wish to try it out this school holiday season, then contact Hi-Tech Sailing today and book your slot.
Address: Hi-Tech Sailing, 9 Lorong 28 Geylang, Singapore.
Contact Number: +65-91773596Email Id.: steve@hitechsailing.com.sg
Must Read:https://hitechsailing.com.sg/fun-and-learning-combined-school-holiday-camps-for-kids/
Must Read:https://hitechsailing.com.sg/sailing-singapore-your-gateway-to-nautical-adventures/
