(Melvin)
Windsurfing Level One Developmental Program
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Weather@SG pilot project to provide mobile weather forecast service
SINGAPORE: Mobile phone users will soon get real-time animated graphics of where it might be pouring in Singapore. By the middle of this year, mobile users will be able to access real-time weather information directly on their web-enabled phones and devices, including smart phones, Blackberrys, iPhones and Personal Digital Assistants.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has partnered Microsoft to launch Weather@SG -- the first such service in Asia for the global software giant.
Weather@SG will combine the capabilities of NEA's real-time weather information with Microsoft's real-time map services. This will enable mobile users to access to specific weather information on the go.
That includes overall weather conditions in Singapore for the next three hours, up to three days ahead. And if you are moving around the island, Weather@SG will tell you where it is currently raining and alerts will inform you of heavy showers. Information on temperature, wind speed and direction, as well as humidity information at various locations around the island will also be provided.
CEO of NEA, Andrew Tan, said: "Imagine if you can just go for a stroll on the weekend with your family, or you're out surfing, you can get both wind conditions as well as whether it's sunny or it's rainy. I think it's very practical information that everyone can make use of." The service will be rolled out as a one-year pilot project free-of-charge, although standard telco data charges still apply.
- CNA/yb/yt
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/417097/1/.html
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has partnered Microsoft to launch Weather@SG -- the first such service in Asia for the global software giant.
Weather@SG will combine the capabilities of NEA's real-time weather information with Microsoft's real-time map services. This will enable mobile users to access to specific weather information on the go.
That includes overall weather conditions in Singapore for the next three hours, up to three days ahead. And if you are moving around the island, Weather@SG will tell you where it is currently raining and alerts will inform you of heavy showers. Information on temperature, wind speed and direction, as well as humidity information at various locations around the island will also be provided.
CEO of NEA, Andrew Tan, said: "Imagine if you can just go for a stroll on the weekend with your family, or you're out surfing, you can get both wind conditions as well as whether it's sunny or it's rainy. I think it's very practical information that everyone can make use of." The service will be rolled out as a one-year pilot project free-of-charge, although standard telco data charges still apply.
- CNA/yb/yt
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/417097/1/.html
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
(Damon)Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Singapore Sailing Federation Level One assessment
(Launching and recovering of equipment)
(Sailing across the wind)
(Sailing upwind)
(Into running position)
(Steering and sail control)
(Self-rescue and recovery) 
(Evaluation and debrief by tester)
(Instructor: Gwee Boon Tiong)
(Chiew Mun)
Successful completition of SSF Level One assessment.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
"Sport On" interview article
Catching The Wind
Windsurfing or sometimes called boardsailing is a sport that combines sailing and surfing and uses a one-person craft called a sailboard. The basic sailboard usually comprises a board and a rig.
But did you know that windsurfing started as early as the 1940s? It was invented then by a teenager who was only in his twenties named Newman Darby – no, he had nothing to do with the contentious male magazine Newman. Although he was recognised as the first inventor of windsurfing, he did not file for any patent rights and who could blame him? He was only a teenager then and he would never have thought that his little invention could go this far! His invention, the first sailboard, then consisted of a handheld sail and rig that was mounted on a universal joint, to control a small boat. In fact, Naomi Darby, Newman's wife, was the first woman windsurfer and she helped her husband build and design the first sailboard!
The first patent for a sailboard actually came from Californians Jim Drake (a sailor and engineer) and Hoyle Schweitzer (a surfer and skier). They called their design a Windsurfer. The early Windsurfer boards measured 12 feet (3.5 m) long and weighed 60 pounds (27 kg). Their patent for a sailboard was granted in 1970 and it was based on Darby's original ideas and they fully credited him with its invention and rightly so!
But when did mass production of sailboards start? Well, one man called Hoyle Schweitzer started mass-producing polyethylene sailboards (design based on the Windsurfer) in the early 1970s. The sport became very popular in Europe and by the late 70's windsurfing fever had hit Europe and the region and it was said that one in every three households owned a sailboard then!
Of boards and sail
As you must know by now, a sailboard consists of a board and a sail. In the 1970s and 1980s, windsurfers were categorised as shortboards or longboards. Longboards were usually longer than 3 meters while Shortboards were less than 3 meters long. However, in modern times, the classification is no longer valid as new techniques, designs, and materials have taken Windsurfing in new directions and we are sure glad it did!
Most modern windsurfers from the 1990s are based on the shortboard design and are intended to be used primarily in what is called the Planing mode. Planing refers to the technique where the board skips over the surface of the water, rather than cutting through and displacing the water.
The first patent for a sailboard actually came from Californians Jim Drake (a sailor and engineer) and Hoyle Schweitzer (a surfer and skier). They called their design a Windsurfer. The early Windsurfer boards measured 12 feet (3.5 m) long and weighed 60 pounds (27 kg). Their patent for a sailboard was granted in 1970 and it was based on Darby's original ideas and they fully credited him with its invention and rightly so!
But when did mass production of sailboards start? Well, one man called Hoyle Schweitzer started mass-producing polyethylene sailboards (design based on the Windsurfer) in the early 1970s. The sport became very popular in Europe and by the late 70's windsurfing fever had hit Europe and the region and it was said that one in every three households owned a sailboard then!
Of boards and sail
As you must know by now, a sailboard consists of a board and a sail. In the 1970s and 1980s, windsurfers were categorised as shortboards or longboards. Longboards were usually longer than 3 meters while Shortboards were less than 3 meters long. However, in modern times, the classification is no longer valid as new techniques, designs, and materials have taken Windsurfing in new directions and we are sure glad it did!
Most modern windsurfers from the 1990s are based on the shortboard design and are intended to be used primarily in what is called the Planing mode. Planing refers to the technique where the board skips over the surface of the water, rather than cutting through and displacing the water.
A windsurfing sail is made of something called monofilm, which is clear polyester film, dacron (woven polyester) and mylar. Some of the parts are sometimes reinforced with a kevlar mesh. The size of the sail is measured in square meters and can be from 3 m2 to 5.5 m2 for wave sails and from 6 m2 to 13 m2 for racing sails. If you’re not confused already by some of these terms, grab a panadol for there’s more terms!
The leading edge of a sail is called the luff. The mast is in the luff tube. The rear edge is called the leech while the front bottom corner of the sail, where the mast foot protrudes, is called the tack. The rear corner, to which the boom is attached, is called the clew. The bottom edge, between the clew and the tack, is called the foot.
Does your head hurt by now? Well, perhaps for windsurfing newbies, it is more fun to get a hands-on experience to really feel the waves and the wind while we save the theory talk for later.
To do that, you’ll need experienced instructors to help you out like those from Windsurfing Factor. They are a team of windsurfing enthusiasts that have come together to promote and introduce windsurfing to the general public. In an exclusive SportOn! Interview, we speak to Lin Weili, an experienced windsurfing instructor from Windsurfing Factor to find out more about the sport and their club.
1) Why was Windsurfing Factor formed?
The leading edge of a sail is called the luff. The mast is in the luff tube. The rear edge is called the leech while the front bottom corner of the sail, where the mast foot protrudes, is called the tack. The rear corner, to which the boom is attached, is called the clew. The bottom edge, between the clew and the tack, is called the foot.
Does your head hurt by now? Well, perhaps for windsurfing newbies, it is more fun to get a hands-on experience to really feel the waves and the wind while we save the theory talk for later.
To do that, you’ll need experienced instructors to help you out like those from Windsurfing Factor. They are a team of windsurfing enthusiasts that have come together to promote and introduce windsurfing to the general public. In an exclusive SportOn! Interview, we speak to Lin Weili, an experienced windsurfing instructor from Windsurfing Factor to find out more about the sport and their club.
1) Why was Windsurfing Factor formed?
With a humble beginning in 2006, Windsurfing Factor started offering courses for beginners looking to improve their proficiency in windsurfing. Over the past two years, the team has grown from strength to strength but our vision still remains the same as when we first started - "To promote windsurfing as a lifestyle sport that is fun and enjoyable"
As the sport begins to shift from its “extreme & niche” image into the general population, our team has introduced an extensive line-up of courses to meet the increasing demand. From children as young as 7 years old to seniors up to 65 years old, our dedicated instructors adopt a progressive training syllabus to suit individual learning potential.
Moving ahead, the future of windsurfing is indeed promising as it was confirmed as one of the competing sports in YOG 2010. Our team is happy to be a part of the equation to create awareness and introduce windsurfing to our youths in Singapore!
2) What are some of the various programmes you currently have for different age groups of youth who are interested to learn windsurfing?
2) What are some of the various programmes you currently have for different age groups of youth who are interested to learn windsurfing?
We have the following windsurfing programmes currently.
* Kids Windsurfing Program (7-14 years old): 4 sessions x 1.5 hours
* Start Windsurfing 1.2.3 (no age limit): 1 session x 4 hours
* Windsurfing Developmental Program (Level One), officially endorsed under SEP 2009: 4 sessions x 2 hours
* Windsurfing Developmental Program (Level Two), officially endorsed under SEP 2009: 4 sessions x 2 hours
3) For a newbie who is interested to learn windsurfing, are there any important things they should take note of?
* Kids Windsurfing Program (7-14 years old): 4 sessions x 1.5 hours
* Start Windsurfing 1.2.3 (no age limit): 1 session x 4 hours
* Windsurfing Developmental Program (Level One), officially endorsed under SEP 2009: 4 sessions x 2 hours
* Windsurfing Developmental Program (Level Two), officially endorsed under SEP 2009: 4 sessions x 2 hours
3) For a newbie who is interested to learn windsurfing, are there any important things they should take note of?
Contrary to popular belief, windsurfing is not a sport that requires a lot of strength or brute force. Instead, a good instructor will be able to guide the student with proper techniques thus minimizing effort and possible injuries. With the correct guidance and willingness to learn, windsurfing is as simple as it looks (Only a sail and board)!
4) How long will it take for them to be competent in windsurfing? What are the costs involved?
4) How long will it take for them to be competent in windsurfing? What are the costs involved?
Taking into consideration the learning ability of each individual, some may catch on windsurfing with ease even on the first session while others may need more time to digest. On average, a beginner will be able to grasp the fundamentals and sail confidently after 4 sessions.To start off, windsurfing is relatively inexpensive as compared to other niche sports. All of our courses include the necessary equipments and an instructor will be on-hand to guide you on the proper techniques. You just have to bring yourself along! For more information on Windsurfing Factor, please visit http://www.windsurfing-factor.os3.sg
Copyright 2009 Singapore Sports Council
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
