3 Places To Get Wet & Wild In Singapore | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts

• Aqua Spin: A fitness class combining spinning with water resistance in a swimming pool.
• Ripple Club: A fitness studio offering aqua spin, boxing, and circuit training in a hotel pool setting.
• HydroDash: Singapore's first at-sea floating inflatable obstacle course located in Sentosa.
• Jet Skiing Tour: An activity exploring Singapore's Southern Islands via jet ski, combining speed with historical insights.
• Water Resistance: The force exerted by water against movement, significantly higher than air resistance, enhancing workout intensity.

Aqua Spin at Ripple Club

Amandine, a newcomer to Singapore, experiences an "aqua spin" class at the Ripple Club, located within the Oasia Hotel Downtown. This revolutionary fitness studio integrates traditional spin, boxing, and circuit training into a luxury hotel pool.

Class Details and Methodology

• Trainer: Alicia guides Amandine through the 50-minute "Ripple signature class."
• Intensity: Described as low intensity but high reward, focusing on a full-body workout.
• Workout Components:
  • Warm-up: Gentle spinning to acclimate to the water.
  • Spinning: Increased pedaling intensity, incorporating upper body movements like breaststrokes and punches ("cuts").
  • Upper Body Strength: Exercises targeting chest, shoulders, and arms.
  • Cool-down: Exercises to conclude the session.
• Technical Aspects:
  • Water provides 12 times more resistance than air, leading to increased calorie burn and joint benefits.
  • Participants can torch up to 800 calories per session.
  • The workout is described as a "full-body ambush" due to the comprehensive muscle engagement.
• Amandine's Experience: Initially apprehensive, Amandine finds the class challenging, noting that spinning in water is significantly more demanding on the thighs than on land. She appreciates that sweat is not visible, and despite the difficulty, she ends up smiling and enjoying the experience.

HydroDash in Sentosa

The next adventure takes Amandine to Sentosa to experience HydroDash, Singapore's first at-sea floating obstacle course.

Course Description and Rules

• Location: Sentosa, an island known for its beaches and attractions.
• Concept: A large inflatable structure combining elements of a bouncy castle and a water slide.
• Safety Guidelines:
  • Entry and exit must be feet first (diving or sliding) for safety.
  • Stunts, somersaults, and front flips are prohibited.
  • Lifeguards are available for assistance.
  • Balance is emphasized as a key skill.
• Obstacles: The course features over 30 inflatables, slides, trampolines, and bounce zones of varying difficulties.
• Target Audience: Suitable for ages 6 and up, making it a family-friendly activity.
• Goal: To navigate the course and return to the starting point.
• Amandine's Experience: Amandine finds the platform wobbly and the water salty. She struggles initially with some obstacles, like the horizontal ladder, but eventually finds her rhythm. She enjoys the challenge, the laughter, and the seawater she inevitably swallows. She successfully completes a speed challenge and tackles the highest point of the course, describing it as "epic" and "scary." Despite being soaked, out of breath, and bruised, she deems it "so worth it."

Jet Skiing Tour Around the Southern Islands

Amandine then embarks on a jet skiing tour around Singapore's Southern Islands, starting from Lazarus Island.

Tour Details and Historical Context

• Location: Lazarus Island, described as a "best kept secret" with soft white sands and no convenience stores, offering a tranquil escape.
• Guide: Rick, who picks Amandine up at a designated meeting point instead of the usual ONE°15 Marina.
• Amandine's Experience: This is Amandine's first time jet skiing. Rick reassures her about safety, explaining that he will pick her up if she falls into the water.
• Speed and Exploration: The jet skis reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, providing a "high-octane island safari." The tour allows exploration of parts of Singapore not easily accessible by boat.
• Historical Insights: Rick shares stories about the Southern Islands:
  • St. John's Island: Historically used for prisoners and later as a quarantine area.
  • Lazarus Island: Used as a burial ground for those who died on St. John's Island to keep them separate from the living population.
• Amandine's Reaction: She is surprised by the "gory tales" associated with the islands. She experiences the thrill of speed, the ocean spray, and the unique views of secluded beaches. Despite initial fear and screaming, she concludes that jet skiing is an experience not to be missed.

Conclusion

Amandine's journey through Singapore's "wild side" involved a series of water-based adventures: the challenging aqua spin at Ripple Club, the fun-filled HydroDash obstacle course in Sentosa, and the exhilarating jet ski tour around the Southern Islands. She discovered that Singapore offers a vast "adventure playground" beyond its urban landscape, pushing her boundaries and leading to enjoyable, albeit sometimes intimidating, experiences. She concludes that she "spun, splashed, and sped" her way across Singapore's waters, finding them to be a true adventure playground.