The DBS Marina Sailing Programme was launched in 2013 to provide the community an opportunity to get into the Marina Reservoir and enjoy the view of the bay from a different perspective. We are delighted to be one of the community partners chosen to participate in this year’s programme.

Six clients from SPD’s Transition Programme for Employment (TPE), of whom two were wheelchair-users, signed up for the programme. Accompanied by caregivers and TPE staff, they had their first outing on a sailboat on 11 March.

36-year-old Wang Li Nan was looking forward to the day out at sea: “I was always into sports before my injury. And since I’ve never done sailing before, it would be an interesting experience.”

After a safety briefing, the clients boarded the boats with the help of 20 DBS volunteers. The captains taught the participants basic sailing techniques such as tacking and gybing. A few of them even got a chance to steer the boat at the wheel and helped with the ropes. They sailed the Marina Bay area and took in iconic sights such as the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands.

40-year-old Steve Chong was still reeling with excitement after getting back on land: “I used to enjoy water sports like canoeing before my injury, so it was great to have this chance to be back in the water again. It was a fun experience and I even had a go at steering the boat!”

This was the first of four quarterly sessions and we look forward to the next adventure out at sea.