PUBLISHED April 26th, 2016 01:00 pm | UPDATED May 30th, 2016 06:02 pm
28 MAY – 5 JUN 2016 | The DBS Marina Regatta is returning with big and bold new experiences on- and off-water. Taking place over two weekends, the regatta will witness Singapore and the region’s top dragon boating teams battle it out against the iconic Marina Bay skyline for Asia’s highest prize purse of $230,000. This year’s event will mark the debut of Southeast Asia’s tallest inflatable water slide, and Singapore’s only pop-up urban beach will make an even bigger comeback.
Other event firsts include the introduction of themed dragon boat races and competitive kayak races. The regatta will also bring together Singapore’s young homegrown talent, featuring up-and-coming artists, musicians, chefs and change-makers across its expansive range of activities.
On 3 June 2016, the regatta will be hosting a kayaking competition for the first time. Held in partnership with the Singapore Canoe Federation, the new kayak fiesta will be open to anyone from kids to competitive paddlers to the physically challenged.
Event goers will also get to try out kayaking or sailing in the Bay during the two weekends with DBS 18-metre tall Swedish Match 40 sailboats – the first of its kind in Asia. The sailboats were brought in last year as part of the DBS Marina Bay Sailing Programme, which has been offering the public complimentary sailing sessions in the Bay since 2013.
This year, the Bay will once again be transformed into Singapore’s one and only pop-up urban beach. The beach will come with a packed programme of non-stop activities for families and urbanites alike, from day till night. In the day, the beach pool will hold stand-up paddling and stand-up yoga sessions for board sport enthusiasts, as well as kayaking and zorbing activities for kids.
Near the beach, event goers can also get in some adrenaline-pumping fun while contributing to a good cause by tackling Southeast Asia’s tallest-ever inflatable slide – a spectacular 16m, four-storey tall callback to the Big Splash. With unlimited rides available for a single entry fee, all proceeds raised will go to SPD, an organisation that helps people with disabilities develop their potential to the fullest so that they can be self-reliant and independent.
The regatta will also bring together a collective of homegrown talent. Situated along the beach, the regatta’s artisan market will offer unique, handmade pieces by Singaporean artists and craftspeople. The stores will be housed in refitted shipping containers that double as viewing decks by night. Over at the food village, young local chefs will serve up innovative fusion meals, with dishes such as salted egg yolk fries and chilli crab ‘man tous’.
In the evenings, the viewing decks will make for a breezy al-fresco setting for the regatta’s sunset beach concerts. Featuring a lineup of Singapore’s up-and-coming musicians, the regatta will provide the perfect spot for unwinding with friends and families.
DBS Marina Regatta 2016 is happening from 28 to 29 May and 4 to 5 June 2016 at Marina Bay.