Max Maeder’s success can bring winds of change, say Singapore sailing community

PARIS – Maximilian Maeder’s bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on Aug 9 was not just a triumph for Singapore – it was also a win for the sailing community, who believe that the 17-year-old kitefoiler’s feat could be a game changer for the relatively obscure sport back home.

Only about 150 people are active in the sport in Singapore, with most in their 30s or older, said former Kitesurfing Association of Singapore (KAS) president Edmund Tang.

He added: “Max’s win is a win for the whole community, he is flying the flag for the sport in Singapore. This could be a game changer for the sport.”

The association has been trying to raise awareness about kitefoiling since it was announced that the sport would make its Olympic debut in Paris. It has held road shows and races at East Coast Park to raise its profile here.

Since 2018, the KAS has worked on youth development to recruit more young participants, but many were put off by having to endure long waits for the right wind conditions.

Tang, 59, hopes that Maximilian’s achievement will help attract more young kiters. He said: “The reality is that this is a difficult sport. One where you have to wait for ideal wind conditions. But the thrill is great and I hope more people see that.”

Former national sailor Koh Seng Leong, who competed in the men’s 470 and Laser classes at the 2000 and 2008 Olympics respectively, hopes that the younger generation will be inspired by Maximilian’s journey.

He was already a two-time world champion and Asian Games winner before the Paris Games, and

his bronze

is a first in sailing for Singapore.

He is just the sixth Singaporean to win a medal at the Olympics, joining Tan Howe Liang (weightlifting), Feng Tianwei, Li Jiawei and Wang Yuegu (table tennis), and Joseph Schooling (swimming).

Koh, 40, said: “One thing I want the children to realise is that this is a proud moment for the country.

“It’s not easy. When you try it, you’ll know, but know that there’s somebody up there that has done it. Who has broken through the various pinnacles and barriers and set the path for you. If you want it, go and get it, it is possible.”

Agreeing with Tang, he said the next big step is to look at how to expose more kids to the sport. While there are Optimist sailing courses for children here, he noted the need for more courses across the different disciplines such as wingfoil and kitefoil.

For this to happen, establishing a coaching mechanism and pathway is important, he said.

KAS president Ong Rong Quan said that it is in the process of building a pipeline, which will start with forming a group that “could be more involved in more kitefoiling action”.

Noting that Maximilian’s success is a blueprint for KAS to build on, he said: “Obviously he’s inspired a lot of the kiting community, the wider sailing community as well. The following has grown with him, the sport is growing along with him.

“It’s really taking shape nicely and, with it being an Olympic sport now, hopefully that inspires more people to pick it up.”

The interest in the sport will also be key to overcoming some of the challenges faced by kitefoiling and kitesurfing enthusiasts.

Kitesurfing, a sailing discipline that is similar to kitefoiling except that the board is in direct contact with the water, was banned at Changi Beach from 2011 to 2012, before it was allowed again at the location’s Car Park 6 after numerous meetings between kiters and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

While kitefoiling is permitted at specific parts of Changi Beach and Tanah Merah, the area is limited by airspace as well, which Ong said could hinder the growth of the sport, noting that they “need to work with the relevant government agencies to understand what the sport is and then move from there”.

The winds are now in their favour and the community is optimistic about the future of the sport – kitefoiling is also set to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Maximilian said: “Just as much as people at home enjoy the fact that people from their country are racing and cheer them on a big stage, we as athletes love to see the involvement. And we love to see through our own efforts, bringing the opportunity to cheer... and having it packaged in such an exciting way.

“It’s very motivating for all the athletes in the sport, perhaps it will attract more people to the sport, more attention.”