10 January 2026 marked the inaugural RUFF – Round Ubin For Fun, an event conceived to build confidence in coastal navigation while encouraging sailors to slow down and appreciate the natural beauty of our local waters during a leisurely jaunt around Granite Island. And what better conditions to do so than the prevailing NE Monsoon, complemented by the reassurance of safety support boats stationed along the entire passage.
A diverse fleet took part in the fun sail, comprising 16 dinghies, 1 Weta, 1 beach catamaran, and 10 keelboats. With near-perfect sailing conditions of 8–12 knots, the day proved enjoyable and accessible for sailors of all skill levels. All participants returned safely ashore by 2pm, smiles firmly in place.
The day concluded with a delightful post-sail potluck, made special by the enthusiastic contributions from many of the participants. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the feast such a success.
We look forward to making RUFF an annual tradition—do keep your eyes and ears peeled for details of the 2027 edition!
https://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_1225-scaled.jpg8001200CSChttps://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/changi_sailing_club_logo_round.pngCSC2026-01-12 16:10:212026-01-12 16:10:21Round Ubin For Fun “RUFF!” 10 Jan 2026
We kicked off 2026 with the Hangover Race — traditionally marked by sailors stumbling into the Club on the morning after a heavy night of celebration and merry-making. However, the newer generation of sailors seems far more sensible these days, and the Hangover Race now also welcomes youths and dinghy sailors. All enjoyed the prevailing NE Monsoon conditions on the first day of the new year.
We were also delighted to host visiting friends from our reciprocal club, South of Perth Yacht Club — Amber and Duncan — who sailed onboard Southern Light, with the Sharpe family being wonderful hosts.
Keelboats
The keelboat fleet featured a diverse lineup of six boats, ranging from the sporty-ish “caravan” Southern Light to the cute Catalina 23 Nevis. At the start line, an overzealous Skybird found herself returning to dip below the line to exonerate, allowing much of the fleet to gain an early advantage.
The Dehler 34 made amends later in the race, spending more time on the eastern side of the course to close the gap on fleet leader Waka Tere. She sealed her victory with commendable spinnaker work on the return leg after Tekong Buoy, taking the win on corrected time.
Southern Light finished just three minutes behind on handicap — a fantastic result for James and team, especially considering the insufficient sleep from NYE celebrations the night before. Completing the top three was the duo of Michael and Farid onboard Brio, a Dufour 34 with much potential. With a full crew for spinnaker deployment, Brio would surely be a worthy adversary on the course.
Multihulls
In the Multihull Class, Dot Dot Dot, Phoenix, and Oojoo lapped up the NE breeze, sailing skillfully and making light work of the course. Dot Dot Dot even had a Chief Dog Officer onboard, enjoying every moment of the sail! She led superbly for the first half of the race but was unfortunately unable to defend against the smaller and faster M23 on the remaining downwind and reaching legs.
Phoenix eventually took the win, with Dot Dot Dot a close second and Oojoo finishing third.
Dinghies
It was great to have six dinghies racing with us — a vibrant mix of ILCA, 420, and Optimists graced the start line. Race Committee sent them on a Pennant 1 course, taking sailors on a leisurely jaunt between Changi Buoy and CSC 1 for three laps.
Estelle was the standout performer, taking first place both on handicap and in the Optimist Division. Rohit and Arun finished a close second and third in the Open Division, with Arun also being the second-quickest Optimist sailor on the course.
The fight for third place in the Optimist Division between Afiya and Sumi was particularly exciting — separated by a split second across the line. While Afiya finished just ahead, prizes were awarded to both sailors in recognition of their excellent efforts.
Congratulations to all winners, and thank you for starting 2026 with us in such great spirit! See you on 10 January for RUFF, and 11 January for the Lock Hong Kit Round Ubin Challenge.
24th Ambassadors’ Cup: A Celebration of Friendship, Sailing, and Global Unity at Changi Sailing Club
Singapore, [1st November 2025] — The 24th edition of the Ambassadors’ Cup proved to be a memorable and spirited celebration of sailing and camaraderie, held under perfect conditions at Changi Sailing Club. A steady 7–8 knots of easterly breeze guided the fleet safely to North Angler and back, ensuring an exhilarating day of competition and connection on the water.
This year’s regatta saw 42 boats take to the start line, representing 27 embassies — including 17 Ambassadors and 10 Non-Ambassadors. Despite a slightly smaller fleet, the event retained its hallmark vibrancy, as sailors enjoyed clear skies, brisk winds, and friendly rivalry across all divisions.
Ambassadors’ Division
The competition in the Ambassadors’ Division was exceptionally close, with less than ten minutes separating the top eight finishers. Leading the fleet for much of the race was H.E. Sebastian Breton Perez, President of this year’s Ambassadors’ Cup, sailing aboard Adona (J29).
However, flukey wind conditions on the final leg from Squance created an opportunity for Fortissimo 8, a recently refitted Dehler 38 helmed by Maarten De Kroonen and featuring H.E. Alisher Kayumov of Uzbekistan, to close the gap. Their consistent performance earned them the coveted title of 24th Ambassadors’ Cup Champion on corrected time.
Adona claimed Line Honours and a well-deserved second place overall, while last year’s winners, Jong Dee (J35), helmed by Mr. Paul Kendall with H.E. Juha Markkanen of Finland on board, secured third place. The Finnish team impressed spectators with their coordinated teamwork and matching team attire.
Non-Ambassadors and Keelboat Open Divisions
The next start featured 17 boats across the Non-Ambassadors (10) and Keelboat Open (7) Divisions. A lively contest unfolded between Skybird (Philippines) and Sapphire Star (Italy), with Jangan Main Main, a J24 helmed by Andre and crewed by Alex together with staff from the Embassy of Qatar, capitalizing on their duel to sneak ahead and claim the Non-Ambassadors Division title. Sapphire Star and Skybird completed the podium in second and third respectively.
In the Keelboat Open Division, another J24, Jellico, delivered a stellar performance to take top spot on corrected time. Although Wild Thing — a Reflex 28 — crossed the line seven minutes ahead, it was not enough to edge out Jellico in the two-hour race. Congratulations to Cedric and family for securing the 2025 Keelboat Open title. Rounding out the top three was Boreas (Club Platu), chartered by sponsors Thiam Construction and skippered by Shaun Toh with family and friends.
Trimaran and Beach Catamaran Divisions
The Trimaran fleet featured six Corsair entries. Defending champions Miss Visayan returned to uphold their title but were edged out by Dot Dot Dot, who sailed an excellent upwind leg to North Angler and maintained a slim lead to the finish — earning their first Ambassadors’ Cup victory. Miss Visayan finished a close second after an exciting photo finish, while Soluna (Corsair 750), skippered by Darryl with the support of veterans Alice and Campbell, claimed third place.
In the Beach Catamaran Division, it was a two-boat duel between Scott McCook on a Nacra 430 and Kellie and Matt on Twisted Creature (Viper F16). Scott demonstrated superb solo sailing skill to secure a comfortable win, while Kellie and Matt put in a strong showing on their return to racing at Changi.
Celebrations and Acknowledgements
Back on shore, the festivities continued with Après-Sail drinks and delicious finger food. Sailors enjoyed Panamanian Rum and ice-cold Tiger Beer, generously sponsored by the Ambassador of Panama and Asia Pacific Breweries.
Changi Sailing Club extends heartfelt thanks to all sponsors whose generous support made this event possible:
Thiam Construction | Hinrich Foundation | KC Chng | Simba & Friends | Odyssey Marine | Hempel | Turkish Airlines | Keith Morton Security | Four Seasons Cleaning | The Luxury Network and Diplomatic Council | Asia Pacific Breweries | Cpt Fatty Goodlander & Cpt Richard Howe (VIP Boats)
In her welcome address, Commodore Deborah Barker emphasized the importance of sponsorship in sustaining the event’s success. Despite the absence of a title sponsor this year, the regatta thrived thanks to the commitment of a diverse group of supporters, the leadership of Organizing Chairman Mr. Ad Smit, and the tireless efforts of Changi Sailing Club’s staff and volunteers.
The evening’s festivities also included a cultural performance hosted by H.E. Sebastian Breton Perez, who showcased the vibrant spirit of Panama through traditional coffee, rum, and dance. Dinner was catered by Georges, with live entertainment by the talented 10.Seconds Band, creating a lively and memorable conclusion to the 24th Ambassadors’ Cup.
Adding to the celebrations, Mr. Maarten De Kroon, winner of this year’s Cup, also won the lucky draw prize — a business class ticket courtesy of Turkish Airlines. Congratulations to Maarten on a truly winning day, both on and off the water!
Bringing the World Together
The 24th Ambassadors’ Cup once again exemplified the spirit of international friendship, sportsmanship, and unity through sailing. Changi Sailing Club extends its gratitude to all participants, partners, and embassies for their continued support — and looks forward to celebrating an even more spectacular 25th edition next year.
Chance for new winners in this month’s dinghy race!
This month’s dinghy race promises to be an exciting opportunity for emerging sailors to make their mark. With a few of the club’s top sailors sitting this one out, this month’s race is the perfect chance for others to grab a podium spot.
The monthly series has traditionally been dominated by a handful of strong sailors, but their absence this time around is expected to level the playing field. Newcomers and mid-fleet racers tested their skills and able to secure their first podium finish. It’s great to see different sailors step up. These races give everyone valuable experience and keep the competition lively.
Spectators from Changi Beach were lucky to watch closely how racing is done, unpredictable wind shifts and gusts, current flowing like a river and plenty of friendly rivalry on the water. Whether the wind is light or strong, this month’s event is set to showcase the depth of talent across the fleet.
In the ILCA fleet, first time racing, Charles Kong dominated the results winning, a double 1st place for ILCA4 and Open Division. A promising performance from this young sailor, moving up on a bigger and challenging ILCA equipped with his Optimist knowledge.
Brothers Arun and Neel Behl took the top podium finish in the Optimist fleet (Alpha & Charlie). With a back-to-back bullet finish from Neel, this will definitely help him to improve his results and a promising top podium in the leaderboard. The rest of their mates are for sure getting ready for the final race! It will be an exciting finale!
We would like to give thanks to our parents support for always making time to help us out on water and on land. This month’s Officer of the Day (OD) Matthew Kong, onboard with other parents: Daniel, Yvonne and Shahrom together with their youngest son, Ishmail, while their 3 children are racing in different classes. What a great Sunday afternoon to enjoy with family out at sea.
What a splash! On 30 August, 11 boats and a record 54 volunteers, including NUS Seafarers members and alumni, sailors, and friends, set sail for our biggest Pulau Ketam Cleanup yet. The overwhelming response for the event showed just how powerful community-led action can be when people from different backgrounds come together for the conservation effort.
The day began early at 9am under a lingering drizzle from the previous night’s thunderstorm. The island, alive and buzzing with mosquitoes and bugs, monkeys to hornbills, proved to be difficult terrain as volunteers powered through the uncomfortable situation. Ultimately, gathering a whopping 1620 kg of waste.
Special thanks to our skippers and operational help from Changi Sailing Club who volunteered to bring our participants to Pulau Ketam. Birregurra (Basil), Skybird (Edwin), Calyndrix (Russell), Oojoo (Giam), The Dash (Wolfgang Klemm), Summer Breeze (Jakub), Waka Tere (Kurt & Jill) and Jock (Suzanne).
Seasoned NUS Seafarers and friends also took out CSC’s boats, including JMM (Gerald, Manan, Darren), Notus (Farid & Victoire), and Boreas, sailed by SMU Sailing’s QC & Declan with NUS Sailing’s Hannah.
For many, it was their first time ever sailing, making the cleanup not only impactful but also a perfect platform to experience the magic of sailing – between hoisting trash bags, learning ropes, and soaking up sea breeze, the day combined impact and fun.
This event was supercharged by The Great Ocean Dash (TGOD), a SpongeBob SquarePants Island-wide Ocean Conservation Movement. In celebration of SG60, TGOD is matching every kilogram of trash with sponsor dollars, funding coral planting, biodiversity conservation, and other marine restoration efforts.
By the time we returned to the docks, the piles of trash were high, but spirits were higher. With NUS Seafarers members, alumni, and friends all pitching in alongside seasoned sailors, the Pulau Ketam Cleanup proved that when communities collaborate, we don’t just clean shores, we make waves for a healthier ocean.
https://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_7857-scaled.jpg8001200CSChttps://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/changi_sailing_club_logo_round.pngCSC2025-09-08 16:34:062025-09-08 16:46:00CSC Ketam Clean Up 30 August 2025
In late August I was lucky enough to compete in the 40thHamilton Island Race Week in North Queensland, Australia. This was the fifth time I have competed in the event which is Australia’s largest offshore sailing regatta.
Hamilton Island is one of the 74 islands in Queensland’s Whitsundays group and at that time of year has perfect weather (18°C-23°C every day) and a challenging mix of winds, tides, currents and sea-swell, plus the ever-present risk of colliding with one of the many whales migrating through the area at the time. This year the first two races lacked wind at the starts but picked up nicely throughout, and some days we had an excellent 12-20 knots all day.
Despite being the 40th anniversary, numbers were down slightly with 145 entrants in total. This year’s classes were IRC (Div 1 & 2 and Super 40), One Design (Cape31), several PHS divisions, and three Multihull divisions. Easily recognisable entries in the IRC were Sydney to Hobart regulars Wild Oats X and (our namesake) Wild Thing 100. Ando Commanche has been there in recent years but unfortunately wasn’t present this year.
I’m privileged to sail on a friend’s Seawind 1160 named St Arnou. Along with the two owners and four other crew (all of them friends from Launceston in Tasmania), we boast an average age of a spritely 71 so are proud to remain competitive each year. This year was more challenging as after an equal third on points last year in a field of 17, and with less entrants this year, we were combined into a tougher and smaller fleet. Regardless, we managed 6th overall out of ten which included a podium 3rd in race 5 so we were quite happy.
Hamilton Island itself is a magnificent destination that I recommend to anyone for a holiday; but for sailors Race Week is enormously enjoyable with great competition, fun on-shore entertainment, and excellent camaraderie. I even recommend a round of golf on lay-day at the course on next door Dent Island. You will likely lose 16 balls on that monster like I do every year, but the location and views are beyond spectacular.
Hope to see you there next year!
John Moore
Wild Thing
No more posts
https://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Race-Week-2025_Day-Three_LR-55-scaled.jpg8001200CSChttps://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/changi_sailing_club_logo_round.pngCSC2025-09-06 12:44:562025-09-06 12:44:56Hamilton Island Race Week 2025
Joy on the Water: CSC x Rainbow Centre Joy Sail 28 June 2025, 9am–1pm
Changi Sailing Club (CSC) proudly hosted the CSC x Rainbow Centre Joy Sail on Saturday, 28 June 2025—a heartwarming morning of sailing and shared smiles along the scenic East Johor Straits.
In partnership with Rainbow Centre Singapore, the event welcomed 55 beneficiaries, comprising students and caregivers, for a special sailing experience. Rainbow Centre is a social service agency that empowers persons with disabilities to thrive in inclusive communities, supporting children and youth with diverse developmental needs through education, therapy, and community engagement.
Thanks to fair weather—light winds and no rain—the guests enjoyed calm and comfortable conditions out at sea. This event marks the largest turnout since the inception of CSC’s community outreach programme, a testament to the Club’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and service.
We extend our deepest appreciation to the Changi Sailing Club members who generously volunteered their time and boats to make this experience possible. A heartfelt thank you to the skippers and boats who supported the sail:
Birregurra – Basil
Zig Zag – Andrew
Southern Light – James
Invictus – Justin
Skybird – Edwin
Jock – Claire
JMM – Luke
Notus – Hana
Dharana – Jasmine
Dot Dot Dot – David
Oojoo – Giam and Yean
Soluna – Roy
Phoenix – Fred
The CSC x Rainbow Centre Joy Sail 2025 was more than just a day on the water—it was a celebration of connection, compassion, and community. We look forward to many more sails that bring joy to those who need it most.
No more posts
https://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_6858-scaled.jpg8001200CSChttps://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/changi_sailing_club_logo_round.pngCSC2025-06-30 07:56:512025-06-30 07:56:51CSC x Rainbow Centre Joy Sail 28 June 2025
The final day of the Pulau Tioman Series saw the fleet return to the water with cautious optimism, hoping for a break in the light wind conditions that had defined the week. Unfortunately, the breeze remained soft and unpredictable—mirroring the previous day’s frustrations. Despite the Race Committee’s best efforts, only one race could be secured for the keelboat class across the entire series, with two races completed in total for the multihull class, represented solely by Bula.
On this final day, the crews of Shardana, Southern Light, and Sirius Omega joined Bula for one last opportunity to test their mettle. Light winds persisted, but held just long enough to complete a short race—offering a much-needed chance to stretch the sails and secure an official result. Buoyed by the brief window of breeze, the Race Committee ambitiously attempted to start a second race shortly after. Unfortunately, the weather was a reflection of the previous day, and it became clear that the fleet was barely making any headway. The race was ultimately abandoned, bringing the 3rd edition of the CSC @ Tioman Regatta to a quiet close.
Prizes were awarded in the order of finish as there was no change to the positions after handicap corrections. Congratulations Shardana, Southern Light and Sirius Omega for placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively! And we of course cannot forget Bula, for her continued support of the event representing the CSC multihull squadron.
Though the series was marked by light winds and limited racing, the spirit of camaraderie and adventure prevailed—befitting a regatta set against the stunning backdrop of Tioman’s turquoise waters and lush island scenery. We’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and warmly welcome all the new entrants to this year’s event: Hiwaga, Naga, Purnama 8, AestheSea, Majabelle, Shardana, and Southern Light. While not all participated in the racing, we’re delighted they joined us for the sail up and the many memorable social activities.
The final evening brought the event to a festive close, beginning with live music by Amanda Tee—one of our beloved regulars from Members’ Night—followed by a sumptuous BBQ dinner buffet, thoughtfully prepared by the Berjaya Tioman Resort’s F&B team. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Resort and its wonderful service staff for once again hosting us with such warmth and hospitality.
And of course, a big thank you to all the sailors who made the journey to Tioman. We look forward to welcoming even more participants in 2026 for the next edition of the CSC @ Tioman Regatta!
After a well-earned rest day on Monday, four teams returned to the sparkling waters off Berjaya Tioman Resort to continue their sailing adventures in the Pulau Tioman Series. Representing the fleet on Day 1 were Bula, Shardana, Southern Light, and Sirius Omega, all geared up for a scenic passage race around the picturesque Pulau Tulai, also known as Coral Island.
The day began with encouraging conditions—a gentle breeze set in early, allowing the fleet to make steady progress towards the island. Spirits were high as crews enjoyed the stunning coastal views and calm seas. Unfortunately, the wind began to fade shortly after the boats rounded Coral Island, eventually dying out completely and leaving the fleet stalled just south of the island.
Only Bula, a lightweight and agile vessel helmed solo by skipper Mike Flecker, managed to stay ahead of the dying breeze. His perseverance paid off with a commendable finishing time of 3 hours and 2 minutes—just in time for a well-earned lunch ashore.
With the remaining three boats becalmed and no signs of wind returning, the Race Committee made the tough call to abandon the race for the keelboats. While it was a frustrating outcome for the rest of the fleet, hopes remain high for stronger conditions on the final day, and possibly another shot at completing the beautiful course around Pulau Tulai.
Pulau Tioman, located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is a tropical paradise renowned for its crystal-clear waters, lush rainforests, and vibrant marine life. As a sailing destination, it offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and ideal sailing conditions. Sheltered anchorages, steady trade winds, and calm seas make it an inviting haven for sailors of all levels.
It is then no wonder that our CSC@Tioman Regatta has gained considerable interest from boat owners across Singapore, with this year’s edition comprising of 10 yachts from Raffles Marina, Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, Marina at Keppel Bay and Changi Sailing Club. New entries Naga, Hiwaga, Purnama 8, Majabelle, AestheSea, Southern Light and Shardana join returning yachts Bula, Sirius Omega and Kaatabuggi for a challenging 110nM passage up to Pulau Tioman, followed by a 2 days of casual racing in the waters of Pahang. Today is a rest day for the sailors, with many participants having arranged various activities to enjoy during the break.
The race from CSC to Tioman, held from Saturday the 14th to Sunday the 15th, proved to be a true test of endurance, with only four boats managing to complete the passage within the time limit. Many skippers voiced their frustration over the lack of wind and challenging currents, particularly in the first and final 10 nautical miles of the route. Despite the tough conditions, four determined teams completed the entire journey under sail alone—a truly remarkable accomplishment!
In the Multihull Class, Bula was the sole contender. Skipper Mike Flecker, joined by experienced multihull sailors Tim and Alex, handled the northbound journey with ease, becoming the fastest boat to reach Pulau Tioman. Along the way, Bula caught up with the motoring trio of Hiwaga, Naga, and Purnama 8, arriving just in time to take in a breathtaking sunrise between the iconic Dragon’s Horns.
The trailing yachts followed closely behind the two leading Hanse 460s, while new entrant AestheSea retired after two hours of struggling to make progress near Paya Beach. With the fleet down to three, the Race Committee waited patiently as Sirius Omega, Shardana, and Southern Light inched their way toward the finish line at a painfully slow pace. In a dramatic finale after more than 29 hours of sailing, Shardana and Sirius Omega crossed the line almost simultaneously, just minutes before the gate closed. The Dufour 34 clinched line honours and victory on handicap, with last year’s champion securing 1st runner-up mere seconds later. Southern Light completed the podium in third, but unfortunately missed the cut-off time by 18 minutes and was ineligible for handicap correction.
A big congratulations to all the winners! After clearing Immigration and Customs, the teams checked in at the beautiful Berjaya Tioman Resort, located southwest of Tekek town. Just a five-minute drive from supermarkets, restaurants, and duty-free outlets, the resort offers convenient access to essential amenities. We now look forward to 2 days of fun racing followed by a lively evening on Wednesday, as the resort hosts a beachside BBQ dinner to mark the event’s closing celebration.
