DBS Marina Regatta Singapore is back, and boy, have they got treats in store for you. No, we don’t (just) mean the chiselled dragon boat hunks – this year’s edition is set to be a full blown festival, promising to be bigger, bolder and activity-packed (Southeast Asia’s tallest inflatable water slide is set to make an appearance!). Unknown to many, the regatta isn’t just for sports fanatics – here are five reasons why this dragon boat festival is for everyone from gourmet foodies to flea market punters.
A beach (literally) in the heart of the city
How often can one bliss out beachside amongst iconic, glitzy skyscrapers? At the regatta’s pop-up urban beach (the size of about 2.5 Olympic pools), you can get your tan on, or try your hand at a huge range of fun-packed beach activities, including stand up yoga, paddle boarding, zorbing and obstacle courses for the littles.
Chow House: A mini foodie fest
All that race action making you hungry? Make a beeline to Chow House – the regatta’s official food village, which offers tantalising bites from local culinary stalwarts. Meat lovers, sink your teeth into hearty sausage sizzles from Snag Shack and tender Swedish meatballs from Fika. Always wanted to experience the novelty of the food truck? Swing by Kerbside Gourmet’s truck, which will offer pork specials like the Pig Head Croquetas with Sriracha and Char Siu Pork Collar Bao with Achar.
Artisanal goods galore
Helmed by the creative geniuses behind The Local People, Shop House is an artisanal marketplace featuring up-and-coming designers and craftsmen. In true hipster fashion, stalls will be housed in transformed shipping containers (Insta-worthy shots anyone?). Up for grabs are nature-inspired illustrations by Troops on Print, Supernacular’s quirky accessories as well as handmade pottery from Oh Leaf. Word has it that Faux Fayc (the local cosmetic brand of choice for popular social media influencers) will also be on location. We’re planning to be first in line for the gravity-defying mascaras and slick lippies… don’t say we didn’t warn you.
A hyperlocal music fest
Once dusk hits, it’s time to break out your festival hats. Renowned local music artists will take the stage at the regatta’s premier beach concert. The exciting line-up features household names like EDM singer and folk and indie songwriter Linying (who, fyi, has taken the Spotify world by storm) and iNCH, to new emerging acts like The Madhatter Project and Stopgap.
Adrenaline shot after shot
Be still our thrill-seeking hearts: Southeast Asia’s tallest inflatable water slide makes its debut on the regatta’s pop up beach. Looming at 16 metres tall (that’s more than five storeys high), the slide offers maximum fun for up to four people at a time. At $10 for five rides, the experience is crazy affordable. Best of all? All proceeds will be donated to Society for the Physically Disabled, a non-profit organisation which works to integrate people with disabilities into mainstream society.
DBS Marina Regatta returns on 28 to 29 May and 4 to 6 June 2016, from 11am-10pm.