Pesta Sukan Water Sports: A Boatload of History

Pesta Sukan, or the Festival of Sports is where sportsmanship and community spirit unite. The festival has been integral to our annual National Day celebrations - but it has since evolved into a key national event, where Singaporeans from all backgrounds come in the thousands to celebrate unity and sports participation. 

Enter Pesta Sukan, which began in 1964 and has since grown into a cherished annual tradition. The festival is the cornerstone of national pride, fostering community spirit, sporting excellence, and camaraderie through friendly competition.

Rhythms of Strength, Strokes of Unity

Since 1978, the deep drumbeats of dragon boat racing have echoed across the Kallang Basin during Pesta Sukan. More than a thrilling water sport, dragon boat racing is a cultural spectacle rooted in tradition and powered by teamwork.

Photo credit: Team Nila

In recent years, the inclusion of Para Dragon Boat events has exemplified Pesta Sukan’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and accessibility. The sport continues to draw large crowds and community teams, reinforcing its status as a festival favourite.

From Sea Breezes to Sporting Glory

Sailing was one of the original sports featured in the very first Pesta Sukan in 1964. Originating from colonial sailing circles such as the Changi Garrison Yacht Club (1936), the sport has since grown into a competitive pursuit at the highest levels.

Singapore’s sailing journey reached new heights when Max Maeder made history with a bronze medal in kite surfing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. A defining achievement for Singapore’s water sports and a proud moment for a sport with deep Pesta Sukan roots.

In the 49erFX class, Lo Man Yi and Griselda Khng broke new ground at the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming Singapore’s first female athletes to represent the nation in the high-performance skiff category. Ryan Lo, Southeast Asia’s leading Laser sailor, stands out as a multiple SEA Games gold medallist (2015, 2019, 2023), a Tokyo 2020 Olympian, and a Paris 2024 qualifier. 

Colin Cheng achieved Singapore’s then-best Olympic sailing result with a 15th-place finish in the Laser class at London 2012, and is also an Asian Games silver and bronze medallist. At Tokyo 2020, Kimberly Lim and Cecilia Low placed 10th in the 49erFX, marking the best Olympic finish by a Singapore sailing team, with continued success on the Asian and world circuits.

Paddles Up: Power, Precision and Passion on Water

Canoeing made its Pesta Sukan debut at the 1970 Water Carnival, marking a key moment in the development of paddle sports in Singapore. The festival provided a vibrant, competitive platform for canoe sprint and canoe polo, transforming what were once recreational pastimes into organised, rule-based national competitions.

Held in bustling venues like the Marina Reservoir and Kallang Basin, these events drew both elite athletes and enthusiastic spectators. Over the years, canoeing has become one of the most anticipated components of Pesta Sukan, reflecting the sport's growing popularity and technical sophistication. Canoeing has quickly developed into two distinct disciplines: Canoe Polo and Canoe Sprint.

Canoe Polo

A fast-paced hybrid of water polo and rugby played in kayaks, canoe polo has grown in popularity through strong institutional support. It was added to Pesta Sukan in 2019. In 2023, a total of 23 teams from 7 National Federations, including Singapore, competed in the Asian Canoe Polo Championships held at Marina Bay.

Canoe polo players in action during a high-intensity match at Pesta Sukan. Photo credit: TeamNila

Canoe Sprint

Canoe Sprint, a high-speed paddling sport on flatwater comprising the Canoe and Kayak disciplines, has been steadily gaining momentum in Singapore over the past few decades. Governed by the Singapore Canoe Federation (SCF), the sport combines endurance, strength, and precision, and is practised across various age groups and competitive levels. With Singapore’s natural waterways and dedicated training facilities such as the Paddle Lodge at MacRitchie Reservoir and Sports Hub Water Sports Centre at Marina Reservoir, local athletes have had the opportunities to train and compete in regional and international events. At the 2015 SEA Games held in Marina Channel, Singapore topped the medal table for Canoe Sprint with a haul of 7 Golds and 5 Silvers.

In parallel, the 2025 Pesta Sukan marks the return of Stand Up Paddling  (SUP) to the competition schedule. SUP is emerging as a dynamic and accessible paddle sport for Singaporeans of all ages. Paddlers stand upright on boards and use long paddles to navigate flatwater and coastal conditions.  

As more of our young and young-at-heart pick up a paddle, national programmes continue to grow and paddle sport is becoming an increasingly important part of Singapore’s sporting landscape

A Modern Sporting Festival for All

Whether you're a seasoned athlete, a recreational player, or a curious newcomer, Pesta Sukan offers something for everyone. It’s a space to compete, connect, and celebrate where sports are not just games, but vessels for community, culture, and confidence.

As we look ahead to future editions, Pesta Sukan continues to honour its past while shaping Singapore’s sporting future - one event, one athlete, one shared cheer at a time.