The Singapore Swimming Club (SSC) which was founded on February 7, 1894, by a group of young European men who happened upon a gorgeous swimming and relaxing area on a sandbank close to Tanjong Katong beach along East Coast is attracting expatriates and Singaporeans with some of the best club membership deals in Singapore.
Since the turn of the century, SSC has developed into an exclusive members-only recreational club and has developed a broad membership base no longer just made up of Europeans. The club has expanded to take up more than 30,000 square metres in the wealthy Tanjong Rhu district.
In 1963, then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew issued a directive to all British clubs that they could no longer stick to their “white only” rule, and the SSC accordingly began admitting Asian members. By 1969, the decline in membership since 1955 had begun to reverse, with an increasing number of locals joining the club along with expatriates who lived and worked in Singapore in the early 70s.
Members of the Singapore Swimming Club get access to two Olympic-sized swimming pools, a learn-to-swim pool, and a kids' pool, suitable for both experienced and novice swimmers, and a wide range of sports facilities, including badminton courts, squash courts, tennis courts, an air-conditioned table tennis hall, and two fitness studios. Score a strike and have a rolling good time at Singapore Swimming Club’s 10-lane Bowling Centre (pictured above) or test your skills at billiards and pool in the Cue-sports Room.
Members have access to a variety of amenities, including play areas, saunas, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, and a game room, for relaxation and enjoyment. Feeling peckish? Singapore Swimming Club boasts 11 food & beverage outlets which caters to different gastronomic preferences and palates. Master chefs are adept at preparing dishes to suit a wide array of cuisines to suit both local Singaporean and expatriate tastes. In addition, the club also offers its members access to a spa, a hair salon, and a manicure salon.
The club supports a wide range of popular sports contests, fitness classes, and recreational programmes including Chinese brush painting, dancercise, and line dancing in addition to swimming programmes designed for swimmers of all abilities. The Singapore Swimming Club seeks to support an active and healthy lifestyle in a tranquil and pleasant environment by providing a variety of recreational opportunities and services to all of its members. An added bonus for members SSC has reciprocal arrangements with clubs worldwide in countries including, but not limited to Australia, Canada , Hong Kong, India, Japan and USA.
Overseas swimming legends such as Roy Romain, Britain’s “king of the butterfly-breast stroke” and seven Olympic gold medal winner, American Mark Spitz, were invited by the club for demonstration sessions and swim clinics to help fuel the swimming ambitions of the club’s young athletes. At various periods in its history, Singapore Swimming Club were also active in promoting other water sports such as water polo, diving and water ballet, also known as synchronised swimming.
For foreigners new to Singapore, or long-term expatriate residents who want to have a change of daily lifestyle, get out and exercise more, and meet a new circle of interesting and inspiring people, Expat Choice suggest you visit The Singapore Swimming Club online to view membership options.
Individual Term Membership is open to Singapore Permanent Residents and Employment Pass holders. Term Membership is renewable upon its expiry and members who refer their friends to join the Club will receive $250 spending credit for every successful sign-up.
For Membership Categories, please visit the membership page here or contact the SSC Membership Department on +65 6342 3625 or send an email to [email protected] and one of the membership co-ordinators will be in touch to talk you through your options.
a. 45 Tanjong Rhu Road, Singapore 436899