When looking for a social club to join, we all want to find a place that feels like home and offers great leisure activities for the whole family. The Singapore Swimming Club has a reputation as a premier swimming facility – but it’s much more than just swimming pools. We take a step inside and find out what else its members enjoy. The Club is also having a fun open day on 27 January!
#1 History of the Singapore Swimming Club
The Singapore Swimming Club is one of the oldest social clubs on the island. It was started in 1894 by a group of young European men keen on open-water swimming. It’s a fascinating story of changing times in Singapore, with the Club surviving and thriving through two world wars and independence from Malaysia. Over those 130 years, it has grown in size, structure and membership to become one of the largest non-golfing clubs on the island. Built on almost entirely freehold-owned land, it’s a place that members can call their own in perpetuity.
#2 Beyond swimming pools
It’s widely known that Joseph Schooling is an ambassador of the Club, that it has four swimming pools (two Olympic size, a recreational and a kids pool) and that it has a highly successful swimming programme. Less well known is the fact that many members join for the other sports facilities and coaches, including tennis, badminton, table tennis, billiards, bowling, squash and fitness. There’s also an active group of golfers and cricketers in offsite leagues.
#3 Ten dining options
Unlike many other social clubs that offer only one or two restaurants, the Club has a whopping ten F&B outlets! They’re all run in-house, and you can choose from casual poolside dining to authentic local flavours, Western cuisine and fine-dining affairs. It’s also a popular venue for weddings and events, with banqueting facilities open for booking by non-members too – in short, this is a foodie paradise!
#4 Activities at the Singapore Swimming Club
There’s always something fun going on at the Club – from wine dinners to New Year countdowns and festive parties, along with activities like online coding classes for kids and Halloween celebrations. Plus, there are masterclasses in everything from flower arranging to dancing and self-defence. You can also hit the sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, spa, hair salon or barber shop when you feel like a spot of relaxation and pampering. And for the kids (and the young at heart), there’s a fully equipped play room and games arcade.
#5 Location
Another appealing aspect of the Club is its location in the heart of the expat enclave of Tanjong Rhu. This means it’s only a few minutes from the city, and also super convenient for families living centrally or on the East Coast. Stage four of the MRT’s new Thomson-East Coast Line opens this year, too, including nearby Katong Park Station. This will make it an even easier venue to get to.
Anniversary Event
The Club is celebrating its amazing 130-year milestone with a carnival event on 27 January, from 10am to 10pm. Expect carnival games and rides by Uncle Ringo, vintage car displays and charity rides, pop-up heritage food stalls and a wine fair, bazaar stalls, live band performances, sports, swimming and water activities. Join in the fun and connect with the membership team at the open house drive.
Singapore Swimming Club
45 Tanjong Rhu Road
6342 3600 | membership@sswimclub.org.sg
sswimclub.org.sg
This article on the Singapore Swimming Club first appeared in the January 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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