Just last week, Mr Bao and I went to Jurong Lake Gardens to kayak and pick up trash as part of the PAddle ‘N’ Klean challenge. Check out our experience in the video below!
What is the PAddle ‘N’ Klean Challenge?
So what possessed us to pay money to pick up trash? Well, it all started when I read this article on Mothership about the challenge. To summarise, the challenge hopes to encourage people to clean up the reservoirs while kayaking or stand-up paddling (SUP). Participants get to try a new sport, enjoy the scenery, spend time with loved ones, and help clean up the environment. Its a win-win-win-win!
How to participate?
🏆 Key challenge details
- When: 1 – 31 Dec 2021
- Prizes: NTUC vouchers ranging from $20 to $100
🎫 Booking details
Rental prices: ~$9 – $11 per person
Available at PAssion Wave outlets island wide
- Kayaking for beginners
- Bedok Reservoir
- Marina Bay
- Jurong Lake Gardens
- Kayaking with 1-star certification
- Marina Bay
- Pasir Ris
- Sembawang
- SUP with 1-star certification
- East Coast
How to join: Click here for more details and to book your slots when they open every Monday.
💎 How to earn points?
- Distance covered (km): 1 pt/km (kayak) and 3 pt/km (SUP)
- Amount of trash picked up (kg): 5 pt/kg
Click here for the full details.
💡 Tip: To maximise your points, picking up trash would be the way to go unless you’re incredibly athletic. Despite spending only 5 to 10 minutes picking up trash, Mr Bao and I managed to collect 1.21kg! Also, the trash tends to wash up near the edges of the reservoir where it is also easier to retrieve. If you’re at Jurong Lake Gardens, head straight across from the PAssion Wave building. That’s where we found all of the trash, even after a family of four had combed through the same area for 45 minutes!
FAQ
What should I bring to the rental?
Check your email for the confirmation ticket and instructions. The email includes the list below of what you should bring along for the rental:
- Water bottle
- Sports attire (no jeans)
- Eyewear retainers (if required)
- Additional face mask to be worn on water and a zip lock bag
- Waterproof pouch for phone (if required)
- Covered shoes for water activities (no barefoot)
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses & sunscreen)
- Change of clothes and toiletries (shower facilities available)
What is the reporting time?
The timeslot given includes the briefing and prep time while you are on land. For example: If your timeslot is 9 am – 11 am, the briefing will commence immediately at 9 am. I’d recommend coming slightly earlier so you can get yourself ready and give the staff time to gather everyone.
What if there is bad weather?
In the case of bad weather (or in our case an unexpected change in the reservoir conditions), the session will be delayed, or cancelled with no refund or reschedule. However, we checked and rescheduling may be possible subject to availability. Just do take note that cancellation with no refund is the default. Please be nice to the staff regardless of the outcome. They are only enforcing rules and it’s part of the agreement when you sign up!
What should I wear for the session?
For reference:
- I wore a dri-fit t-shirt, exercise leggings, sports shoes, and a cap.
- Mr Bao wore a dri-fit t-shirt, exercise shorts, and sports shoes.
I recommend any type of exercise clothing that is comfortable for you. I chose to wear leggings to prevent exposure to the sun as much as possible. Mr Bao opted for exercise shorts for comfort but diligently applied sunscreen to exposed areas of skin to prevent sunburn.
Do note that in the course of kayaking, you will most likely take on some water. For Mr Bao and I, our bottoms and shoes got wet in the process. It would have been helpful if we had a change of bottoms and slippers because we ended up walking out of Jurong Lake Gardens in wet socks. 😩 There are shower facilities at Jurong Lake Gardens but we didn’t use them so I am unable to make a recommendation here.
Can I take off my mask on the kayak?
Yes. Once you are on board the kayak, you can remove your mask. If you intend to wear the same mask when you leave, store them in a ziplock or other waterproof bag as it will get wet if you leave it exposed while kayaking. Otherwise, keep an extra pair handy.
Can I bring my phone on the kayak?
Yes. We actually brought our entire bag with us because I had a big enough waterproof bag. However, I don’t think it was the most comfortable experience for Mr Bao who had to carry it the whole time. If you are coming in a larger group, I recommend renting a locker to share and just carrying essentials. The price is are $1/locker for PAssion card members and $2/locker for non-members.
What should I bring on the kayak?
You technically don’t need to bring anything with you. However, I would recommend the following:
- Ziplock bag – To keep your mask dry while you are kayaking
- Water bottle – To stay hydrated
- Cap or sunglasses – To see better as it can get quite bright on the water
- Phone – To capture memories
- Wristwatch – To keep time (For those who don’t wear watches like us, we used out phone and set an alarm 15 minutes before the end of the session so we knew when to head back)
- Clear phone bag with a strap – To keep your phone safe and dry
- Drybag – To contain all the above
Thanks so much for reading till the end. Hope this was useful and we wish you the best of luck on your kayaking adventure!
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