South-east Asia's tallest inflatable water slide will entertain partygoers at the fifth annual DBS Marina Regatta, which takes place this and next weekend at The Promontory @ Marina Bay.
At more than five storeys high, it is taller than even the slide at Changi Airport Terminal 3, said to be Singapore's tallest indoor slide at four storeys high.
The 16m-high inflatable attraction allows a person to slide at speeds of more than 50kmh. A maximum of four people - who must be at least five years old and 1.1m tall - are allowed to ride the slide at the same time.
It costs $10 for five rides. Proceeds collected from the slide will go to the SPD, a voluntary welfare organisation dedicated to people with disabilities.
The slide operates from 11am to 8pm daily during the event, which will take place tomorrow and on Sunday, as well as on June 4 and 5.
Other attractions include an urban beach that is 3,100 sq m in size - the size of 2½ Olympic-size swimming pools. It has been upsized from the 2,500 sq m beach last year and requires 74,000kg of sand to fill up.
For many others going to the regatta, the highlight will be the dragon boat races. The 200m dragon boat races and themed races will be held on the first weekend, while the 500m dragon boat races will take place on the second weekend.
Ms Karen McGregor, senior vice- president of group strategic marketing and communications at DBS, says the event is held to "develop a sport that would appeal to Singaporeans with its intrinsic Asian values and heritage" and also "as part of our efforts to bring the bay to the people and the people to the bay".
Fringe activities include a food and art market; stand-up paddling, stand-up yoga; kayaking; and an obstacle course for children. Noise Singapore musicians will be performing from 7pm each night.
Entrance to the event is free, but registration and payment are required for some activities, such as stand-up paddling and yoga. Other activities, including Kidz Kayak and Zorbing, are free.
Last year, the regatta attracted 24,000 people over three weekends - a longer duration than previous editions - because of the South-east Asian Games that were held around the same time.
DBS also announced at the time that it would spend $12 million over the course of the following three years to continue in its efforts to enliven the bay area.
This year, the organiser hopes to draw 20,000 participants over two weekends.
Ms Pudding Ibrahim, a 32-year- old business development executive, attended the DBS Marina Regatta last year and intends to do so this year too.
She says: "I have never been into water sports, but the energy of the dragon boaters was really palpable and it felt really fun to get in on the action.
"I will probably attend at least one day and take my family and friends along. I am definitely going to have a go on the five-storey-high inflatable water slide."
