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It’s been some time since the SNS ventured to the West, and so we did for last month’s SNS. Starting from Choa Chu Kang MRT station, and 14km later ending at Jurong East station.

This night skate featured a HUGE turnout of SAVs, both from the recent batch as well as previous batches. As such, our SNS co-ordinator – David Lim – had to put his volunteer management skills to use. The new SAVs were paired up with experienced volunteers for guidance. Managing the volunteers was made easier with a good number of walkie-talkies, courtesy of Daren Chua. This SNS also saw the highest turnout of female volunteers, making the effort to promote women in sports.

Many thanks to all that have made the event possible. Not forgetting the photgraphers who captured that SNS moment in time. Thanks to Moon and Terance Tan. (More photos here)

Read more about the SNS here.

An informal night skate was coined and organized, in the evening following the SAV Recruitment & Training. It doubled up as a gathering for the SAVs and skater friends as well. The skate started from Newton Circus Food Centre (hungry, hungry) and went on through Scotts Road to Orchard Road, where we joined the Saturday night shopping throng. It was great fun snaking past crowds, putting our urban skating skills to test, but at the same time not forgetting about safety.

Past Orchard Road to Esplanade, via Mohd Sultan Road, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. The most exciting part of the evening has got to be the dash through the SMU Concourse – an air-conditioned, smooth shortcut from City Hall to Dhoby Ghaut. From there, we rolled down Selegie back to Newton Circus. Wonderful to end off the skate with a sumptuous supper!

(Photos: Courtesy of David Lim)

22 skaters joined the community as Skate Assist Volunteers recently, after undergoing a 4-hour training at Bishan Park 2. Let’s welcome them with arms wide open! And a salute to them for putting their time forward to lend their hand in fostering a safe & fun skating community in Singapore.

The training involved theory lessons on safe skating etiquette. The rest of the time was spent on skates, as the new SAVs were assessed on their skating skills and taught basic instructional techniques. For the first time ever, the training included an urban skating segment. The SAVs had a hands-on for various urban obstacles. On top of that, they were taught how to assist other skaters in those situations. With these knowledge, new SAVs will be able to ensure that skate events will be ever more safe and interesting!

Once again, a BIG thank you to all participants. You can catch them in action during upcoming events, with the July night skate as the first. Let’s welcome them:
Kenny Tan, Tan Jay Len, Song Xin Yi, Susanna Shee, Lee Chun Yang, Lim Tjin Teik, Eric Tay, Sherianne Loo, Sherlayne Loo, Philip Tan, Simon Ang, Chia Tok Cheng, Chan See Mun, Ethan Tan, Wee Lian Yun, Timothy Teo, Steven Chang, Agnes Tan, Doreen Tan, Alex Lew, Tng Han Siang & Patrick Koh.

And thanks also to the SAV trainers who made the event a meaningful one. The SAV community is set to grow!

(Photos: Courtesy of David Lim)

For more pictures, check out David’s blog. For a more detailed event report, click here.

In mid-June, Skateline organised a skate trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getting bored of Singapore’s streets, our SAVs, instructors and skater friends took up the offer with zest. Fun and enjoyable are serious understatements for the trip.

Resting on the bus, storing skate energy.

Faussi, our slalom guru.

Arriving in the heart of KL on Friday afternoon, we eagerly lugged our skates and headed to Sungei Wang Complex to reminisce the days of roller disco. Indoor skating rink! If only Singapore had one! With such enthusiasm put into our skating, we did not forget to pamper our feet with reflexology. Muscle men squeezing their every strength to loosen those tight knots in our feet (of course it hurts!).

Letting our hair down at Zouk.

Check out our SAV juniors to-be.

Forging cross-straits skating relations.

On the second day, it was off to Sunway Pyramid for an ice-skating experience. A neat little rink nestled right smack in the centre of the shopping centre. For those who think that ice-skating and inline skating are the same (other than the fact that you will somehow fall on your bum), think again. The concepts are pretty different and techniques vary. That said, certain skills are not transferable from ground to ice, and vice versa.

Zooming to Petronas Towers.

The highlight of the trip had to be the night skate, where we interacted with Malaysian skaters for a breezing skate along Putrajaya, Malaysia’s public administrative centre. It was a smooth 12km to-and-fro with minimal traffic and a wide central boulevard.

Delighted families.

Not wanting to waste a moment of the trip, some of us challenged the streets of KL with an urban skate from Federal Hotel (where we stayed) to KLCC, aka Petronas Towers. A superb ending to the trip with towers in our backdrop.

For more photos, do check out David Lim’s blog and Faussi’s site.

(Photos: Courtesy of David Lim)

Following an entire morning of skating at Paya Lebar runway, our skaters are still hungry (pun intended) for fun! The Sunday afternoon was filled with smell of food, sight of food and laughter from being high on BBQ food. Most importantly, it was the wonderful company of skaters and friends that made the day. Even today, the skate rink still lingers with the hint of fun (as well as the smell of BBQ).

(Photos: Courtesy of David Lim)

The food needs to warm-up as well!

Slurp! Are you salivating already?

Stomachs growling, but photo first!

Fondue!! Don’t let it slip.

Bubbles are not food, you know.

For more photos, please visit David Lim’s blog.

Been skating a while? Wish to be part of the team that fosters a safe and vibrant skating community in Singapore?

If yes, come be part of the Skate Assist Volunteers (SAV)! We are a team of avid skaters with a vision to promote safe and fun skating in Singapore. Expand your social circle, meet like-minded skaters and have lots of fun! It’s never a dull moment as an SAV as we have a long list of events lined up every year. We have been involved in community events like the National Park Safety Campaign, huge sporting events such as the SAFRA Runway Cycling and Standard Chartered Marathon, and novelty events like the recent record-breaking attempt by national adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow for the longest journey on skates. So look no further, join us!

We will be conducting a recruitment-cum-training this weekend. Open to all age groups (above 5 years of age). Here are the details:

Date: 28 Jun 2008 (Sat)
Venue: Bishan Park 2 (Skate Rink)*
Time: 12.30pm to 4.30pm
Attire: Casual sports wear. Full protective gears with skates (heel brakes mandatory).

*In the event of bad weather, location will be changed to a nearby multistorey carpark. Please gather at the Skateline outlet first.

Training itinerary:

• Skills assessment
• Safe skating etiquette
• Basic instructional techniques
• Urban skating assistance techniques

Interested participants please email your name, age, contact number and email address to our secretary, Wai Him, at waihim@pacific.net.sg

For any inquiry, you may contact Wai Him as well. Looking forward to your attendance!

Our SAVs and skaters joined in the cycling crowd at the Paya Lebar runway for a morning of rolling fun. The organisers have decided to include “Skating” into the event title in view of the growing number of skating participants. The wet ground did not spoil the skaters’ spirits, which were kept high all the way.

(Photos: Courtesy of Jon Wong. For more photos, please visit Jon’s blog)

Wet or not… The skate goes on! =D

After the skate. And worrying about the wet bearings `=|

Bright bright orange against bright bright blue. Our skaters. =)

The last Saturday of April saw women gearing up on skates and cruising through the park connectors from East Coast Park to Changi Village.. It was the Women On Skates event, postponed since end March. But that did not stop the ladies’ spirit of sporting.

Some parts of the path were littered with hazards like twigs and seeds. However, the ladies pushed on to the end, their moods never dampened. Several SAVs and instructors were present to ensure safety, further adding on to the success of the event. At the end at Changi Village, it was time to take a break and indulge in great Singapore food.

(Photos courtesy of Faussi and David Lim)

Here’s what one of the volunteers, Skateline instructor Faussi, has to say about the event:

“Glad to see lots of “old” faces and of course the new ones, especially the ladies. The skate started of with a bang, that was the first time ever I witnessed the most number of ladies (and girls of course) skating… Well of course, because i missed the previous woman on skate event.

The whole skating was actually quite relaxing, but it gets quite boring and challenging once we hit the park connector to Changi. It was just like an endless track that goes on and on and it was very dark at one point. Why is it challenging ? Cos we are skating against a group of runners who were doing a marathon running and imagine having to skate for about 8Km without water… Luckily i still have a few drops of water in my trusty old Camelbak =)

Well, sure very happy when we see the light at the end of the track (not tunnel), well almost the end at least. Another 3.3Km for the last stretch of the park connector and halfway there, some of us stopped for a drink and I stopped for a piece of Ice cream Potong, yummy…

Everyone finished the skate and what a better way to finish then having a plate of nasi lemak and a glass of Bandung at the food court @ Changi Village. Nice night scenery as well (check out my photos!!)”

Read more about the event here.

Check out SAV David Lim’s photos here.

Last Saturday, skaters joined our national adventurer Mr Khoo Swee Chiow on an urban skating journey from Singapore Expo to Skateline ECP outlet. SAVs were present to ensure safety, especially along the treacherous slope of Changi Road down to the Siglap Park Connector. We even had SAVs in safety vehicles and he who was armed with a camera to provide us with wonderful shots.

At the Skateline ECP, Mr Khoo shared his experiences on his record-breaking attempt of World’s Longest Journey on Skates, clocking a total of 6088km from Vietnam to Singapore. He skated through terrain and weather that most skaters would not have imagined. Flooded roads, hairpin turns in thunder storms and roads that are not roads at all, you name it, he has tried it. To find out more about his experiences, check out his website Dare to Dream.

(Photos: Courtesy of David Lim)

Here are what some of the skaters have to say about the exciting night out with our national adventurer.

“I discovered another fun of being the safety vehicle. More stressful than skating…”
– Kelvin Ho, SAV

“It was a great experience personally skating with the National Adventurer.”
– Leonard Kannan, SAV and Skateline ICP Instructor

“Simply “Vintage” Swee Chiow: finesse, cool, dare to challenge. A night of fun skating .. a dream come true .. a moment to cherish .. a lifetime of memories.”
- EK, SAV

For more photos, check out David Lim’s blog. Or read more about the night skate here.