Saturday Night Skate 30 April 2011 - Fast & Furious Night Skate, Boon Lay to VivoCity

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Edmund Vong

Report by Jon Wong
Night Skate Captain

More than 60 skaters gathered at Boon Lay MRT Station on 30 April, for the 'Fast and Furious' night skate, amidst foreign workers in the area. Flashes of lightning were sighted in the skies not far away from us, but fortunately there was no rainfall.

We were happy to welcome more new faces again, this time it was some skaters who came from France. They got to know about the activity from their friend who participated in our previous night skate back in March.

 

We set off at about 8pm, heading along Boon Lay Way, bypassing MRT Stations of the Western Line. It didn't take us long before we reached the first check point - MacDonald's Restaurant at Tradehub 21, an Industrial Park.

Having a break at MacDonald's

We continued along Commonwealth Ave West, famous more its series of uphill climbs and downhill rides. The biggest hinderances were perhaps the multiple traffic junctions we had to cross.

After a long skate, we eventually reached our next checkpoint - a Shell petrol kiosk which houses a 7-11 convenient store, located after Redhill MRT Station. That was to be our last checkpoint as we looked to finish the journey at VivoCity without stoppages.

 

Soon after we arrived at Alexandra Road, and headed up its uphill slope. Upon reaching Alexandra Hospital, we started to charge down the downhill slope of the route. This is a long downhill ride which allowed us zipped effortlessly down until we reach West Coast Highway, where VivoCity was within our reach.

There were misses too, as some skaters fell. But fortunately the SAVs were around to offer their assistance when required.

 

It posed a challenge to some skaters, as the downhill speed is too fast to be reckoned with for skaters who are not confident of handling it. However, the marshals made sure everyone was taken care of, as our rear scout, Merv, escorts them throughout the journey.

Our whopping 19km journey came to an end at VivoCity, which took us about 3 hours to complete. Luckily for us, the drizzle came shortly after we dispersed from the area.

Credits
Safety Van
Albert

Photo
David

SAVs
Ruth
Timothy
Merv
Chong Boon
Steven
Jing Yi
Hui Yi
Mike
Vince

Posted in Event

Saturday Night Skate 26 March 2011 - Urbanator Night Skate, Bishan Park 2 to Seng Kang Sports and Recreational Centre

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Edmund Vong

Report by Jon Wong
Night Skate Captain

This event is targeted at introducing urban skating to advanced beginners, and indeed some students from our very own Learn To Skate Program turned up to have a go. Amongst them were Miss Yenni and her son, Adrian, who have been attending classes with us on a regular basis. They were in good hands as our SAVs guided them throughout the journey. 

First Nightskate - Yenni with son, Adrian

It was also a first time for another parent, Miss Caroline with her daughter, Mae, from France, who learned about this event from our website. 

Another First - Miss Caroline with daughter, Mae

 
Skating along this route was relatively simple, as we were on the Park Connector Network and pavements along Ang Mo Kio Ave 5 and Buangkok Green most of the time. It didn't take us long to reach Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West from Bishan Park, where we had a quick break at its famous Garden MacDonald's joint. After that was a ride down a gradual downhill slope until we reach the junction at Anderson Junior College.

Garden MacDonald's Restaurant

 

Photo with Ronald

From then on we transited into Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, and was greeted by the nice surface of the Park Connector Network immediately. That brought us past Nanyang Polytechnic and Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park. Only the occasional entrances to construction sites and uphill climbs posed a challenge for us.

We stopped over at the ESSO petrol kiosk along Yio Chu Kang Road for a break again, before embarking on the long uphill climb along Buangkok Green. We passed by 3 schools in the vicinity and soon were crusing past the Institute of Mental Health into Seng Kang East Road.

We made such good progress that we reached Seng Kang very early, as the clock read 9.50pm. Therefore we decided to detour and extend our route longer to enjoy the skate, as we headed around Compassvale Road before heading onto Seng Kang East Way.

The centre was well within our sights as we neared Anchorvale Link, and the glowing yellow coloured 'M' sign from the MacDonald's restaurant signal the location of our destination. This fastfood joint has a nice set-up, and its very own drivethru. Beside the restaurant is perhaps the largest 7-11 store in singapore, which spans over an area equal to its neighbour. 

MacDonald's at Seng Kang SRC

Enjoying their break
 

There were applause for the amateurs as they completed their journey and 'set skate' into the restaurant, and the participants savoured every moment of their accomplishment of the success on their maiden journey.

Everyone had ample time to enjoy their meal and rest before the bus ride back to Bishan Park.
 

 
Bus load of skaters

Credits

Safety Van

Albert

SAVs
Jack
Merv
Jing Yi
Jia Yi
Hui Yi
Simon

Photography
David

Posted in Event

Saturday Night Skate 26 February 2011 - Endurance Night Skate, Expo MRT Station to War Memorial

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Edmund Vong

Lady Luck was on our side on the Saturday evening on February 26, when our Night skate went underway. Rain was falling on the Northern and Western area of Singapore, but fortunately the skies were clear at the Eastern area and at EXPO MRT Station, the starting point of this Endurance Night Skate.

Kids get a quick drink

 

At Ford Road

Exhausted but satisfied

Posted in Event

Saturday Night Skate 25 December 2010 - Inline Amazing Race

Posted on December 25, 2010 by Edmund Vong

Report by Jon Wong
SAV Advisor

The Skate Assist Volunteers concluded 2010 on a high, with a huge success in the Inline Amazing Race event, which attracted more than 50 participants, on the 18th of December at the Cenotaph Memorial at Esplanade Park.

10 teams of 6 skaters each zipped from various checkpoints, alike the popular TV game show from the US - The Amazing Race, to solve clues and complete tasks, on wheels that is. Points are awarded for the timings they clocked and the accuracy of their answers and tasks completed.

 

Completing tasks

 

 
Solving clues

 
The event kicked off at noon, and ended promptly 6 hours later, and the participants were ferried to Skateline Bishan Park, where another ceremony and celebration was awaiting. It was the 10th anniversary for the SAVs, and a Barbeque buffet dinner was set up to commemorate the occasion.
 

 
Getting busy with the Barbeque

Before the winning teams received their prizes, we were very honoured to invite our guest-of-honour, Mr Felix Yeo, founder and current advisor to the SAVs to present a speech.

  

Mr Felix Yeo delivering the opening speech

Mr Ong Chong Boon, an avid volunteer with us, also received the 'SAV of the year' award from Mr Felix Yeo for his contributions and performances, most notably, being the trustworthy 'Last Man' during the Night Skating events, ensuring that no skater is left behind.

  

Mr Ong receiving his award

In the end, the top 3 teams - Team TSV, The Old Speed, and the Champions, Team TMGC received prizes from Mr Felix Yeo and Operations Director, Mr Xavier Chang, representing Skateline, sponsor for the prizes.

  

2nd Runner-up - Team TSV

Champions - TMGC

 

The night was still young, with activities buzzling from Barbequing, inline hockey at the rink and movie screening while participants enjoyed the sumptous food and drinks.

  

Toasting the success of the event

For some of the participants, it was their 1st attempt at a game of this nature, and working with other members in the team to complete tasks gave them a sense of satisfaction and confidence in their skating skills.

Skateline wish to thank all the volunteers that were involved to make the event a success, as well Mr Felix Yeo for sponsoring the F&B.

 

Credits

Photos
Faussi, David

Organising Committee
David, Chun Yang, Siew Ying, Timothy, Jack, Eugene, Philip, Ivan, Lay Suan

Logistics
Zong Yang

Posted in Event

Saturday Night Skate 25 September 2010 - Park Connector Nightskate III, East Coast Park to Changi Village

Posted on September 25, 2010 by Edmund Vong

 

More than 50 skaters gathered at Burger King for our recent Nightskate on the evening of September 25th, which takes us on a 18km route along the Coastal Park Connector...

Continue Reading →

Posted in Event

Saturday Night Skate 28 August 2010 - Mystery Nightskate, Bishan Park to Esplanade

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Edmund Vong

Report by Jon Wong

SNS Captain

 

Fine weather greeted us throughout the day on the Saturday evening on 28 August, where we embarked on our 2nd Mystery Nightskate of the year. About 40 skaters gathered at the skating rink at Bishan Park, a relatively small turn-out, probably due to the Lunar Hungry Ghost Festival stigma. Suspense was in the air, as the route remained anonymous as skaters arrived.

The participants beared witness a simple ceremony where one of our Skate Assist Volunteer, Mr Ong Chong Boon was presented with a voucher as reward for his emmense contributions to the Nightskating activity. Mr Ong, a father of two, has committed himself for marshalling duty for every Night Skating activity since the start of the year, and has been a strong and effective Rear Scout, staying at the back of the pack and ensuring that no one gets left behind.

 

SAV Chong Boon receiving his voucher

 

We started off from Bishan Park at 8pm sharp, travelling along the pavement at Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 instead, as majority of the park has been closed for upgrading works. Shortly after, we entered Kallang Park Connector and was having a smooth ride along Sungei Kallang, opposite the SMRT Depot.

Apart from a few minor roadworks along the connector network, the route was relatively easy. The main obstacles along the journey were the overhead bridges that we have to cross over Braddell Road, Pan Island Expressway and Bendemeer Road.

It took us about 2 hours to reach Republic Boulevard, and we had to skate on the side of the road, as the area was heavily cordoned off with concrete slabs and barricades for the upcoming Formula 1 race in September.

Before we proceeded to the Esplanade Park, we had a short break at the Singapore Flyer, for some photo moments too.

It was a great skate, with no casualties reported. And the night scenery from the Singapore Flyer to Marina Bay Sands and The Esplanade were magnificent to behold as we roll along.

 

Marina Bay Sands

 

Group Photo at the Cenotaph Memorial, Esplanade Park

 

It was even more satisfying for one of the participants, Lionel, who is a student from our Learn To Skate Programme, on his first ever urban skating attempt. And to complete the entire was an achievement for him to savour in many days to come. Quoted from him, 'I will definitely join the future Night Skate activities!'

 

Lionel, happy to complete the journey

 

Credits

Safety Vehicle
Zong Yang

Photos
Agnes Faussi
Chloe Chai
David Lim

SAVs
Seah Siew Ying
Ong Chong Boon
Eric Tan

Posted in Event

Saturday Night Skate 31 July 2010 - Waterfront Nightskate, Yishun MRT to Woodlands Waterfront

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Edmund Vong

The weather was kind on our skaters on the July 31 evening, as we embarked on our Nightskate route yet again, from Yishun MRT Station to visiting Woodlands Waterfront, one of the newest night attraction in Singapore.

Located at the Northern most tip of Singapore, with Woodlands Checkpoint within its sights, it has soon become a popular recreational facility, complete with a park, playground & fitness corner.

The response was overwhelming, as more than 60 skaters joined us, including some who were on their maiden urban skate in such a huge entourage.

This route is easy as we travelled mainly on pavements and the new park connector network in the north. Soon after departing from Yishun, we reached Sembawang Station for a short break, before heading towards Woodlands Ave 12.

A quick turn there into Woodlands Drive 17 and we arrived at a large kite flying area near Christ Church Secondary School, with a huge roundabout track, which was new to many of the participants. Though the track was poorly lit at night, the smooth surface finishing made speeding through the course an easy task.

From then on we continued along Woodlands Ave 4 and arrived at Vista Point - a neighbourhood mall for a longer break. And we were lucky to find that a bazaar, better known as 'Pasam Malam' was going on there, and a wide variety of F&B were available.

After turning a few junctions, Woodlands Causeway Point Mall and the MRT station were within our sights. We were not far from the end point.

Unfortunately, an incident happened involving a teenage boy getting a cut above his left eyebrow when he lost control of his speed and knocked his head onto a railing. Luckily, prompt first aid was administered to him, and he was later evacuated to a medical facility by his father.

Finally, after bypassing Republic Polytechnic and Admiralty Park, we arrived at the Waterfront. The scenery was spectacular, with nice cool sea breeze greeting us. The mobile Icecream vendor was thrilled to see us arriving, which meant an instant business boom. The skyline of Johor Bahru was clearly visible from the jetty, which stretches out to the waters.

At the Waterfront

Scenery from the jetty

We would like to thank all the partipants for their support.

Credits

Safety Vehicle
Zong Yang

Camera Men
David Lim

SAVs
Jia Yi
Chong Boon
Sanjee
Jack
Timothy
Nicholas

SAVs

Posted in Event