Audience: Sports

The Joseph Schooling Effect: 6 Things That Will Never Be The Same

Unless you’ve been living under a really big rock, you know who Joseph Schooling is and what he did this weekend. To commemorate his big win, here are 6 new things that have caught ablaze since Schooling nabbed a Gold at the Rio Games.

1. ‘Schooled’

Image credit:

Image credit: Mediacock

These 4 digits, will forever be etched in Singapore’s sporting history. Schooling not only nabbed the gold medal in the 100 meter butterfly in Rio (against Michael Phelps) with his timing of 50.39 seconds, he’s also the only Southeast Asian male swimmer to cinch a gold medal at the Olympics. Which is probably why, this set of numbers was
Sure Tinder has been around awhile now, but since Schooling got us our first Olympic gold, we’re seeing a new found interest in the dating app.

(If you haven’t read it, a college student basically matched up with Joseph Schooling on Tinder in April and unfortunately for her, stopped replying.)

And really who can blame us? You never which future Olympian/singer/actor/ you could be matched up with.

5. Dreams Do Come True

Image credit: SGAG
You’ve seen the meme, it’s pretty much everywhere right now. While we can definitely enjoy, pre-Rio Joseph Schooling, the underlying message radiates with us all, work hard and dream big. You never know, your childhood idol could be giving you

Image credit: SGAG

If you enjoy a quiet morning swim on the weekends, don’t bother. Swimming pools public and private are going to be choke-full of kids and their extra kan chiong parents cheering them on. Don’t be surprised if you see a jump in the number of swimming classes available and ads with the tagline “Be the Next Joseph Schooling”.

Also, read Singapore Has Local Produce Too! These 4 Are Super Odd & Surprising!

The Olympics Is Back! Here Are The 25 Singaporeans Representing Us For Rio 2016

The 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio 2016, is set to take place in Rio, Brazil this 5th of August! Yes, there may be some bad press clouding the games, but let’s put the negativity aside and support our Singaporean athletes at the world’s most prestigious sporting event! Before that, get to know who’s who and what event they will be competing in. #OneTeamSG

The 25 Singaporeans

1. Feng Tianwei – Table Tennis (Women’s Singles, Women’s Team)

Dubbed “Singapore’s Swim King”, Rio 2016 will be Joseph Schooling‘s second Olympics participation. There was a lot of pressure on him back in London 2012, but this time round, he is more Image source: Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee / Action Images via Reuters[/caption]

Quah Zheng Wen may only be 19 years of age but he’s got some serious swimming background to boast about. At the Southeast Asian Games last year, he took part in 12 events, winning 7 golds, 4 silvers and 1 bronze. On top of that, he also broke 6 Games records (3 individual and 3 relay). You can catch this flying fish in action at Rio 2016 on the following dates: 8th (100m Backstroke), 9th (200m Butterfly), 12th (100m Butterfly) of August.

4. Quah Ting Wen – Swimming (100m Butterfly)

Elder sister to Zheng Wen, Quah Ting Wen is an experienced swimmer having represented Singapore for international events since 2005. She did not have the best season in 2013 but her stellar performance at the SEA Games last year boosted her confidence greatly. Catch Ting Wen fighting for her a-Quah-tic dream on the 7th of August.

5. Timothee Yap – Track & Field (Men’s 100m)

When she’s not training, Neo Jie Shi is a human resource and admin assistant manager. But when she’s got her running shoes on, she goes all out. Her routine (before and after qualifying for Rio 2016) is fairly simple. She trains after work, one long run followed by one rest day. She clocks in about 70km-80km per week, which is half of a full-timer’s mileage. It’s extremely effective as she went from a recreational runner to an Olympian! Jie Shi’s event will take place on 14th of August.

7. Derek Wong – Badminton (Men’s Singles)

[caption id="attachment_11923" align="alignnone" width="1619"] Image source: Ronald Susilo. Xiaoyu will be making her debut at Rio 2016 on the 13th of August!

9. Saiyidah Aisyah – Rowing (Women’s Single Sculls)

Four years ago, windsurfer Amanda Ng‘s Olympic dream was shattered after she missed out on qualifying for the London 2012. But after switching to the 470 category, she and partner Jovina Choo edged out other Olympic hopefuls to top the Singapore Sailing Federation’s (SSF) selection trials for Rio 2016. They’ve been training at Rio for the past 3 weeks and we’ll get to catch them in action on the 11th of August!

16 & 17. Griselda Khng & Sara Tan – Sailing (49er FX)

While everyone else struggles to lose weight, the 49er FX pair Griselda Khng and Sara Tan actually struggled to gain weight to ensure they achieve the optimal weight to keep the boat as flat as possible on the water! They consume about 4000 calories a day (double of the recommended calorie intake of a regular woman) and burn about 1300 calories per training session. The girls will be making their Olympic debut on the 13th of August.

18 & 19. Justin Liu & Denise Lim – Sailing (Narca 17)

Do you know that Justin Liu and Denise Lim are partners on and off water? Last year, they sailed to victory at the Nacra 17 class at a World Cup leg in China and bagged the one and only Rio 2016 qualifying spot on offer. However, the price they paid was not cheap at all. They had to shell out nearly $100,000 for this dream! A hefty price, but one that is definitely worth it. Catch Justin and Denise in action on the 11th of August.

20. Jasmine Ser – Shooting (10m Air Riffle & 50m Riffle 3 positions)

Jasmine Ser made Singapore proud by bagging a gold medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. She then went on and outshone every other Asian shooter at the Asian Qualifiers despite contracting food poisoning. People say third time’s a charm. Will this be Jasmine’s chance to come home with a medal? She’ll show you what accuracy is all about on the 6th (10m Air Riffle) and 11th (50m Riffle) of August.

21. Teo Shun Xie – Shooting (10m Air Pistol, 25m Pistol)

Header image: Singapore National Olympic Council

Also, read A Peek At NDP 2016 – Fireworks Both Indoors AND Outdoors!

Thought You Knew All About Singapore? Here Are 10 Uncommon Places That’ll Guarantee A New Experience

Even if you’re not going abroad, you can look to our very own humble abode for fun things to do and places to explore. Singapore isn’t just about Orchard Road or Gardens by the Bay. We’re almost as sick of these places as you are!

Well, fret not! Come the weekend, you can look forward to something else to do! Here are 10 interesting and uncommon places to visit for a different kind of fun.

1. Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle & Dragon Kiln

Dubbed one of Singapore’s most well-kept secrets, the Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle is a place that combines heritage, history, discovery, and fun. It gives vibes of an old museum and you can actually buy proper pottery and art at a reasonable price!

There’s also the Dragon Kiln (a furnace/oven for burning pottery), one of the oldest surviving brick-built kilns in Singapore for wood firing. If you’d like to learn more about pottery, Thow Kwang also hosts a series of workshops that will give you your Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze “Ghost” pottery moment.

• Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle
• Address:  85 Lorong Tawas, off Jalan Bahar
• Contact number: +65 6268 6121
• Operating Hours: Daily, 9am-5pm
• Website: Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle

2. Lazarus Island

Are you looking for a beach to visit, but find that those at Sentosa are overpopulated? Why not try Lazarus Island instead? Accessible by a causeway from St John’s Island, Lazarus Island is home to an untouched tranquil beach.

You could take a dip in the clear turquoise waters, and bring along a picnic basket for a picnic on the pristine white sand. For the best beaches in Singapore, read this.

3. The Observatory at Science Centre

Stargazing, anyone? With a location near the equator, Singapore has an advantageous location. It allows stargazers to catch a glimpse of the constellations in both the northern and southern celestial hemispheres. If you happen to be in the west, drop by the Science Centre to check out the exhibits and end off your visit with a sky full of stars!

• Science Centre Observatory
• Address: 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, 609433
• Contact number: +65 6425 2500
• Operating Hours: Friday 7:45pm- 10:00pm
• Facebook: SCOB

4. Pulau Ubin

It’s a great destination for those who would like to escape the hustle and bustle of the city (especially from the crowd!). Just swap the MRTs for rental bikes and enjoy nature.

5. MegaZip Adventure Park

Up for an adventure with your buddies? Head down to Sentosa’s MegaZip Adventure Park to get your adrenaline going. Hang 450-metre high up and swing across a jungle, beach, and the sea at a speed of up to 60 kilometres!

Not a fan of swinging across Sentosa? Check out Climb Max, an obstacle course consisting of three levels of aerial ropes at 15 metres high. That sure sounds like the next Singapore Ninja Warrior course!

• MegaZip Adventure Park
• Address: Imbiah Hill Rd, Sentosa Island, 098967
• Contact number:+65 6884 5602
• Operating Hours: Daily, 11am-7pm
• Entrance fee: $50++
• Website: Image source: Bounce Singapore[/caption]

  The thought of hanging around Orchard as something fun to do probably did not cross your mind. But how about bouncing around the latest indoor adventure park that is strategically located in Orchard?

  Bounce Singapore is an epic urban playground that consists of interconnected trampolines, Freerun Terrain Park (like the one on American Ninja Warrior), and “Leap of Faith” – jump on a raised platform and leap out to catch hold of the trapeze. Best part of all? It’s indoors and you won’t get sunburnt from all that fun.

  [caption id="attachment_11345" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image source: Bounce Singapore[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11346" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image source: Bounce Singapore[/caption]
  • Bounce Singapore
  • Address: Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Road, #09-01
  • Contact number: +65 6816 2879
  • Operating Hours: Sun-Thurs (10am – 10pm), Fri-Sat (10am – midnight)
  • Entrance fee: $24++ (general admission), $19++(student discount)
  • Website: Bounce SG

  7. Singapore Botanic Gardens

  [caption id="attachment_11381" align="alignnone" width="700"] Image source: Image source: Image source: blognacarona[/caption]
  • Singapore Botanic Gardens
  • Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
  • Contact number: +65 6471 7138
  • Operating Hours: Daily 5am-12am
  • Website: Singapore Botanic Gardens

  8. Mint Museum Of Toy

  [caption id="attachment_11431" align="alignnone" width="586"] Image source: gridho[/caption]

  You’re never too young or too old for toys! This toy museum will delight both adults and kids with its vast collection of vintage toys and memorabilia from around the world.

  With over 50,000 pieces of vintage toys, this collection is considered one of the finest in the world. Even the five-storey building that houses the museum is a work of art and has gained international recognition at Architectural Awards.

  [caption id="attachment_11437" align="alignnone" width="602"] Image source: Javier Wu[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11439" align="alignnone" width="601"] Image source: afiq_castello[/caption]
  • Mint Museum Of Toys
  • Address: 26 Seah Street, 188382
  • Contact number: +65 63390660
  • Operating Hours: Daily 9:30am-6:30pm
  • Entry fee: $15
  • Website: Image source: Souce: Image source: The Natural Traveller[/caption]
    • Changi Chapel & Museum
    • Address: 1000 Upper Changi Rd N,  507707
    • Contact number: +65 6214 2451
    • Operating Hours: Daily 9:30am-5.00pm (last admission at 4:30pm)
    • Entry Fee: Free admission
    • Website: Image source: Image source: puripurikan_daus[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11458" align="alignnone" width="800"] Image source: addgrainonearth[/caption]
      • Singapore City Gallery
      • Address: 45 Maxwell Rd, The URA Centre, 069118
      • Contact number: +65 6321 8321
      • Operating Hours: Monday- Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
      • Entry Fee: Free admission
      • Website: Singapore City Gallery

      With 10 uncommon places to check out with your friends for a different kinda fun (and some really pocket-friendly ones), which one would you visit first? While you’re at it, also check out The Singaporean Bucket List – 10 Challenges You Die Die Must Complete.

      Header image source: Tiny Pieces Of Paper & Quirky Imagination Was All It Took For Instagrammer To Make SG Fun Again

Rope Yoga & Kitesurfing? 6 Thrilling Sports For Adrenaline Junkies

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, chances are you’ve already tried some of the more uh, thrilling sports such as rock climbing and walking across elevated wobbly logs at the Forest Adventure. Compared to the usual void deck soccer and multipurpose hall badminton, rock climbing does sound pretty rad.

However, as true thrill seekers, completing the Forest Adventure alone just doesn’t cut it. What you need are some heart-pounding and soul-stopping activates that will get your adrenaline going. From cable skiing to car racing, we give you six thrilling sports that will do more than satisfy the adrenaline junkie in you.

1. Urban Skiing

With 2. Cable Skiing [caption id="attachment_11352" align="alignnone" width="897"] Source: Groupon[/caption]

Sure, we may not have the luxury of large open waters but that does not stop water sports enthusiasts from trying their hands at cable skiing. Instead of a boat, you’ll be pulled by a machine at speeds from twenty to fifty-eight kilometres per hour. Not exactly a pro? Fret not as the instructors will have you covered. So if you’re looking for a cooling yet thrilling activity, check out 3. Kitesurfing [caption id="attachment_11354" align="alignnone" width="1021"] Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Though a familiar activity to many water sports enthusiasts, some may be surprised to find this sport in Singapore. Conducted at either East Coast Park or Pasir Ris, spend your day navigating a power kite whilst skimming across blue sparkly waters. For the beginners, do expect to take a couple of hours/days before you’re able to fly.