Bored? Here’s Where You Can Pick Up 10 Sports In Singapore

We’ve heard the incessant bemoaning of having nothing to do, read the angsty social media posts about Singapore having nothing to do. Well, get off your chair and away from your desk and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a whole list of sports to get into, not matter how much of a beginner you are.

We’ve put together a list of where you can pick up a new sport in Singapore. But, are you game?

1. Second Wind Academy – Triathlon

A triathlon consists of swimming, cycling and running, perhaps you curse and swear at the sight of cyclists on the road, but thought to yourself “hey I’d like to pick cycling up”. Or perhaps your friends talked you into signing up for a triathlon and you had to be fished out of the sea after floundering around for a bit.

Whatever your reason, proper coaching is out there. Train with some of the best triathletes in Singapore to those just looking to get better at Second Wind Academy. Pop in for swim, bike, run squad sessions ($14.90), before committing to more customised (but costly) sessions.

Second Wind Academy: Website | Facebook

2. Running Guild SG – Running

I’m telling you to learn how to run. Yes, you’ve got that right, you probably need to learn how to run (properly). Without getting all nerdy and rambling on about bio-mechanics, I’ll say this, running shouldn’t leave you crippled or hobbling around.

When landing on Running Guild‘s site one might question the legitimacy of it and the folks behind it. These, however, are people who know more about running than web design, a lot more.

Known for organising ultra-marathons, Running Guild is like the small guy sticking it to the big brands behind more publicised running events. Join Running Guild for group training sessions (S$5) every Tuesday and Thursday at Queenstown Stadium at 8pm.

Running Guild SG: Website | Facebook 

3. Solitude Of Strength – Weightlifting

Big burly men or, dare I say women, swiftly lifting and flinging weight equivalent to two or more of themselves overhead might not come across as “fun past-time”. Oh, quite the contrary, as this pretty big fitness movement, sport and some say fad, called Crossfit grows throughout the world, including little ol’ Singapore, the popularity of weightlifting grows in tandem.

A sport less about brute strength and more about technique, Solitude Of Strength offers basic weightlifting classes every six to eight weeks conducted by national weightlifter Lewis “Buffalo” Chua, whom we mentioned in our list of strength and conditioning gyms to check out.

With a limited number of spots per class to ensure a the quality of coaching, keep an eye out for announcements or register your interest early.

Solitude of Strength: Facebook | Website

4. Grit Gym – Grappling

Brazilian jiu jitsu has risen in popularity since mixed martial arts had us locked to our screens, watching men and women fight in a cage. A martial art that often looks like a lot of rolling around on the ground, eventually resulting in someone being choked or tapping out.

Practitioners of Brazilian jiu jitsu call Grit Gym home, and while it is a strength and conditioning gym, they teach what has been called “the gentle art” at Grit Gym. The best part? No memberships, just pay for lessons you attend.

Grit Gym: 39 Carpenter St, Singapore 059918 | Opening hours: (Daily) 6am – 9:30pm | Facebook | Website

5. Singapore Ultimate – Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate frisbee – who could have imagined tossing a brightly coloured plastic disc around could become a sport. But it has, and its players are taking park spaces, fields and other empty patches of grass by storm.

While the sport is self refereed, non contact and unisex, it requires you to sprint around, turn on a dime and launch yourself into the air to catch incoming passes. Making it friendly enough, without being an absolute bore.

Ultimate Players Association Singapore invites beginners to beginner’s night ultimate, free of charge. All of this makes ultimate frisbee an enjoyable beginner friendly sport with no loud posturing seen in some other sports but, it’s my guess that all the bold posturing is done by their often technicoloured jerseys.

Singapore Ultimate: Website | Facebook

6. The Archery Academy – Archery

Ever wanted to be Robin Hood or your favourite fantasy or sci-fi movie hero or heroine letting arrow after arrow loose in rapid succession? Well you can, sort of.

The Archery Academy is a retail shop run by former national coach Choi Mijin and her assistant, Keith Teo (2015 SEA Games Bronze Medalist). Beginner lessons ($120 for four sessions) are available and conducted by Teo as well.

The Archery Academy: Beauty World Centre, #04-16, 144 Upp Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588177  | Facebook | Tel: +65 6463 2880

7. Constant Wind Sea Sports and Sailing School – Stand-Up Paddling

Once upon a time, stand-up paddling was all the rage. A rather slow, almost zen-like rage if you will. It’s not a particularly competitive sport (yet). Stand-up paddling allows you to get more intimate with nature, unlike the sometimes more cumbersome kayak or canoe. It also makes for a killer core workout.

Constant Wind Sea Sports and Sailing School provides a two hour beginner’s course (S$70) for those looking to get on their feet. Once you’re done with that, explore mangrove swamps and other nooks and crannies in and around the coast and surrounding islands.

Constant Wind Sea Sports and Sailing School: 11 Changi Coast Walk, Singapore 499740 | Website | Facebook | Tel: +65 6455 5108

8. Inline Culture – Inline Skating

A lack of ice or anything remotely close to that forming naturally in this country makes inline skating way more practical. Execute slaloms and slide around urban spaces with ease, sometimes backwards because, why not?

If you’ve ever wanted to pick it up, Inline Culture have been in the business of rolling out people who are as confident in their skates as they are on their feet. Surely an alternative to electric skate scooters.

Inline Culture: 1018 East Coast Parkway | Website | Facebook | Tel: +65 6344 5522

9. Absolute Fencing – Fencing

The sport of kings and royalties, fencing, while still one of the more costly sports out there, doesn’t require you to be of “noble blood” any more. Two people attempting to outdo one another in a match of “how many times would I have been able to stab you if this were real life”, this sport is deceptively taxing. If you thought Singapore was humid, try putting on gear and jumping around.

Absolute Fencing conducts a jump start series consisting of eight structured lessons to get interested commoners into this once aristocratic sport. With the slogan “where ordinary people are nurtured into champions”, maybe more folks will rise up to take up fencing.

Absolute Fencing: 18 Boon Lay Way, #01-127, 18@TradeHub 21, Singapore 609966 | Website | Facebook

10. Singapore Rowing – Rowing

Bulging biceps and shoulders built like the front of a truck, some kayakers and dragon boaters have done the reputation of all boat racing sports a disservice by forgetting their legs. That aside, rowing exists in a state of obscurity in Singapore.

With Olympian Saiyidah Aisyah Mohammed Rafa’ee having to crowdsource and self-fund her journey to Rio this year, it left those aware scratching their heads and annoyed to say the least.

Singapore Rowing Association conducts two- and three-hour lessons in their basic learn-to-row (S$180). Why rowing hasn’t caught on in Singapore like other boat racing sports is hard to explain. But, if you’re looking for something different, rowing is the way to go.

Singapore Rowing Association: 249 Jln Buroh, Singapore 609832 | Website | Facebook 

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But of course, these aren’t the only places to head down to learn a new sport, or make improvements in said sports. However, with this list, you should be occupied for some time to come.