By Eitan Oh (26S03I, Batch ‘26 Captain) and Angela Sabbatino (26S06N, Batch ‘26 Vice Captain)
Adapted from CCA Previews ‘25
To some, venturing into the middle of the ocean might sound daunting and intimidating, but for a sailor, it’s just another day out at sea.
Close your eyes and try to picture a sailboat. If you envision a white boat with a sail, then you’re spot on! It’s crucial to note that sailing is not the same as canoeing or dragon boating. How does sailing work? Well, there are three key aspects to the sport: control, balance, and direction.
First, we use a long rope called the mainsheet to control the sail, which catches the wind and propels us forward. We also have a rudder, a long piece of fibreglass at the back of the boat, which helps us steer.
Next, to maintain balance, we use a strap that we hook onto our legs to lean out of the boat and balance it—a manoeuvre known as hiking.
And finally, we constantly need to determine the best course to maximise our speed and complete the race as swiftly as possible, all while making quick decisions to overtake other sailors. It’s a true multitasking exercise for us sailors!
There are many boat classes or types, but our CCA specialises in the Laser Radial (ILCA 6), a type of single-handed boat. In a regatta (a ranked competition made up of many races), one race typically takes up to 40-60 minutes to complete. There are the much larger double-handed boat classes too, such as the 29er, which our teammate, Hayley Fang (25S03R), sails and can attest to how fun sailing with a partner is!
As a sport highly dependent on weather conditions, our training sessions are both lengthy and challenging, as we rely on favourable wind conditions to sail. However, strong winds aren’t always a blessing; the stronger the wind, the more we need to ‘hike’ to keep the boat from tipping over.
Additionally, sailing upwind while maintaining balance for extended periods—sometimes over 30 minutes—is no easy task. It requires engaging both our core and legs, as we use almost our entire body to stay out of the boat while also pulling the mainsheet with all our strength!
Imagine sitting under the blazing sun, moving at the pace of a snail, and being unable to do anything to speed things up. After a “heated” (pun intended) race, there’s nothing better than jumping into the water to cool down!
Lastly, strategic thinking is crucial in making a good sailor. Like how Jack Sparrow charts his course through the Seven Seas, we also take into consideration many ever-changing elements such as water currents and pressure spots where winds are stronger, so that we can complete the course as swiftly as possible.
The team
We train 3 times a week: one session in the gym and two on water. If you’re wondering why we’re not on boats in school, it’s because we can’t train in a pool. Instead, we train at the National Sailing Centre at East Coast Park, usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Training aside, how can you spot a sailor? Apart from our eye-catching CCA jackets featuring a bright gold Sailing logo, you might notice our distinctive tan lines on our wrists and faces, often most visible after a weekend of training under the sun. Perhaps the most reliable way to identify a sailor, however, is through a vibe check. Independent yet team-oriented, sailors are some of the most chill people you’ll meet.
Most importantly, we are a tight-knit group, with just 11 of us from both levels in the school.
Competitions
There are about 10 competitions each year, but the primary event we aim for is the National School Games, typically held from late April to early May. While sailing is generally an individual sport and each sailor competes alone in most events, the NSG is different.
In this competition, we combine our individual results to compete as a team, with the goal of having the highest overall rankings for our school. Fun fact: RI has been on a winning streak since 2011, and we’ve held the challenge trophy ever since!
In addition to national competitions, many of our sailors frequently represent Singapore at international events, competing in major regattas such as the Asian Sailing Championships and the World Sailing Championships. For instance, Aurick Leow (26S03G) recently competed in the Asian sailing championships and finished fourth! However, since many of these competitions occur during the school term, balancing schoolwork with sailing commitment is essential.
What to look out for in 2026?
The National School Games is scheduled for April 2026. Although the sailing centre is quite a distance from school, we hope Rafflesians can come down to East Coast Park to watch our races and cheer us on! On race days, sailors are usually well-fed with a variety of delicious food to refuel, including pizza and the crowd favourite—cupcakes! A big shout-out to the parents and our teachers for preparing these for us.
Have you been convinced that Sailing is one of the best CCAs to join? If so, we’d love for you to be part of our team! Prior experience is required, and we are currently only accepting students through DSA.
Last but not least, as our team motto goes, ‘开心就好’ (translated as: ‘happy can already’), the most important aspect of sailing… is having fun! So hoist your sails and sheet in your mainsheet—you are in for an exciting ride!
