Report for SNS August 09 - City Nightskate
Report by Jon Wong
Skateline Instructor
Group Photo
About 40 skaters joined us in our latest SNS in August, skating right in the heart of Singapore - Orchard Rd. ION Shopping Centre proved to be a great place for us to meet, with huge spacious area right outside the mall and seats available. And it was definitely was a center of attraction, as passer-bys gathered and watched us, some even snapped a few pictures with their phone cameras.
We started off at around 8pm, and headed down Orchard Rd, passing by Wisma Atria, Takashimaya and Orchard Shopping Centre. The streets were packed on this Saturday night and our skating contingent turned many heads along the way.
Passing Orchard Central
We crossed the street over to the opposite site at the Istana area, and was heading towards Plaza Singapura Shopping Mall and The Cathay theatre.
Outside The Cathay Theatre
It didn't take us long before we reached the Cenotaph War Memorial after crossing the underpass. After climbing a long flight of stairs, we found ourselves rolling down the Esplanade bridge towards Clifford Pier and Marina Boulevard. We were looking forward for our pit stop - Lau Pat Sat, where we can find food & drinks.
Crossing the underpass
At Lau Pat Sat
Next, we travelled along the most gruelling part of the route, along Cross Street. There were some constructions going on, and the surfaces on the pavement weren't really skate-friendly, and that puts alot of our skills to the test. We had to skate into the shophouses area when the terrain got too rough for us.
Along the shophouses along Cross Street
Thankfully the weather was great, and upon reaching Chinatown MRT Station, the remaining part of the journey was the most enjoyable as we transitted into Clarke Quay. The place was buzzling with patrons and diners, and we liked the attention that we drew as we skated past them, showing them the fun that we had.
Eventually We reached Robertson Bridge, also nicknamed 'The Rainbow Bridge', due to its colourful coat, and after crossing it we were skating towards Mhd Sultan area, famous for its array of restaurants and clubs.
SAV Jessica at the 'Rainbow Bridge'
Upon crossing into Clemenceau Ave, there was a famous steep downslope at the end of a zebra-crossing spanning across the exit of Ford Canning Rd, and we liked the short adrenalin rush of rolling down the slope, although some skaters who couldn't managed chose to trod down the grass patch located at the side.
Soon we were on Penang Rd, which was opposite Orchard Rd. The nice downhill ride made our journey down to the Youth Park a breeze, and we reached Cineleisure Shopping Mall shortly after and headed back to ION Shopping Mall along Orchard Rd.
Skating in town is always great, and we liked the attention we had garnered from the public, watching us with interest and envy. It was like a sightseeing experience, only faster with wheels under our soles.
Many thanks to these following SAVs on duty:
Steven, Andrew, Nicholas, Jessica, Eric Tan, Eric Tay, Siew Ying, David & Huiyi.
We would also like to congratulate these following SAV recruits for completing their attachment successfully and earned their promotion to Official SAVs:
Randy, Isaac, Kian Wee, Chin Kai & Waimeng.
Be sure to catch them in action at our next SNS!
Click here to view the pictures of this SNS. Courtesy of our SAV Photographer, Mr David Lim.