A Marathon on the Waters
2011-01-04
On 9 January 2011, the waters of Marina Reservoir in Singapore will be stirring with activity as hundreds of canoeists flag off for the annual Singapore Canoe Marathon.The event, which drew 570 participants last year, certainly demands ample brawn as the 12 categories, ranging of distances from 22km to 36km, are expected to take up to two to three hours on a 4.3km flat course lap.
As per canoeing tradition, participants of the C and K classes will have to carry their boats across distances of up to 100m before they even hit the water and subsequently each time they reach the portage segment.
This year the portage segment will be on The Floating Platform and the canoeists will have to complete the necessary number of segments to qualify.
But a display of strength is not all that the event has to offer. As the paddlers challenge the waters, they will be treated to some of Singapore’s most iconic sights as they weave through the course that will take them past the Merlion, Marina Barrage and Clifford Pier among other locations.
The Singapore Canoe Marathon will be a valuable opportunity for canoeists to rack up some experience ahead of the 19th ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, which will be held in Singapore from 22 to 23 October. The championships, organised in tandem by International Canoe Federation and the Singapore Canoe Federation, are being held in Asia for the first time ever.
The Singapore Canoe Marathon 2011 will begin on 9 January 2011 at 8am, starting at the Marina Bay Floating Platform.
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