HIS STORY
Also ours and, eventually, yours

Back in the days before wakeboarding was even conceived in the minds of experimental adrenaline nutters (the prehistoric time of the 80s), Uncle Tom opened a little sea sport shop in the enclaves of Punggol.

Known as Ponggol Water Ski Centre, it provided an adrenaline charged distraction for expats and the rich on their languid weekends in the form of water-skis – be it double skis, single skis, jump skis, and trick skis.

The arrival of the skurfer boards in the 90s made Uncle Tom sit up and take notice while water-ski purists and patrons pooh-poohed the idea of a clumsy, wide board taking over the sleek, precision sport of water-skiing.

The skurfer received many modifications and improvements and, in 1993, it was given a twin-tip frame, which meant it was now A-symmetrical and can be used on either side as the bow or stern. Being wider, it also has a lower learning curve and was easier to pick up than water-skis. That suited the new generation of impatient adrenaline junkies just fine.

As the skurfer – renamed wakeboard as it uses the wake created by the boat to propel the boarder to greater heights – received more augmentations, the sport was given more awareness through the relentless marketing efforts of Uncle Tom. And subsequently, the cost of a day at sea was brought down to fit the pockets of anyone with two feet – and an allowance.

While we wouldn’t claim Uncle Tom single-handedly brought wakeboarding to Singapore, we dare say he was among the pioneers of the sport and very much respected in the community today. In fact, Uncle Tom’s students own many of today’s pro-wakeboard shops.

In 2000, the shop was renamed Ponggol Sea Sports as we expanded to include courses in wakeboarding, knee-boarding and other principals in sea sports. It was also then, current owner – and heir to Uncle Tom’s legacy – Marcus Lim injected fresh blood into the business.

A scheme was started to let instructors “co-own” the shop; every instructor could own their personal boats and attach them to the company. And the fleet of two became one of 11 boats within the year.

That is not to say we’re resting on our laurels. Constantly on the lookout for new and innovative sports (we brought the Ess-boards from Korea), we hope to bring the sport into the mainstream arena and train the first Singaporean pro-wakeboarder.

Being enthusiasts in the sport (we also love the sea more than life itself), we’ve also created a community of like-minded sea-sport lovers and urge you to create your little sporting history with us. Join our community and share your stories with the rest of the world.

Milestones

• 1980 – Ponggol Water-ski Centre opens!
• 1990 – News of Skurfer boards reached Uncle Tom
  
• 1991 – Uncle Tom markets new sport – Skurfing.
  
• 1993 – Skurfing is the new rage in the US! It is also renamed Wakeboarding.
  
• 2000 – Uncle Tom hands over the shop to his heir Marcus Lim
  
• 2001 – Fleet of two boats increased to 11 cruisers
  
• 2005 – New branch at Sembawang SAF Yacht Club opens! Dedicated to training, it will focus more on clinics and intensive trainings of fresh blood to wakeboarding.