Making Waves for SG60: SUSS at One Raft One Nation

Date: 25 Aug 2025

News Type:Event Highlights

School/Department: Student Success Centre

The group stands together for a photo before launching into the water, all suited up in PFDs and holding their paddles, with the SUSS and ODAIG flags proudly displayed.

In celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday, 25 members of the SUSS Outdoor Adventure Interest Group (ODAIG) joined One Raft One Nation, a mega kayaking event that united kayakers from across the country. Braving heavy rain and strong winds, they stood alongside participants from SMU, NUS, SUTD, and other institutions to set a new Singapore Book of Records milestone, the Largest Kayak Raft in our nation’s history, with 438 kayaks linked together and a total of 577 kayakers on the water.

Leading the SUSS contingent was ODAIG EXCO member Edwin Lim Wang Ying, whose coordination and leadership kept the team steady despite the challenging conditions. For many, this was more than breaking a record; it was a celebration of unity, resilience, and community spirit, values that reflect the heart of SUSS.

Seth Bow enters the frame with a big smile and a thumbs-up, posing in front of the SG60-themed bouncy castle adorned with giant traditional kuehs, while fellow SUSS students bounce and laugh in the background.

Seth Bow, a Year 3 Supply Chain Management student, joined to spend time with friends. He said, “I was expecting hot sun... But instead, it poured. Still, we all pushed through.” Some of his favourite moments included “sharing food on the boats, singing across the water, splashing each other, and of course, hitting the record with 438 people.” He added, “Most of us had never met before, yet we moved as one. Rain and all, we made it happen and that made it even more memorable.”

Katherine Goh Kai Ting flashes a warm smile at the camera as she holds on to the surrounding kayaks, helping to keep the raft steady on the water.

Katherine Goh Kai Ting, a Year 3 Marketing student, participated due to her passion for kayaking, describing it as her “first love.” While uncertain of what to expect, she noted that “the whole experience did exceed (her) expectations,” despite the heavy rain during rafting. A memorable highlight was when “a lizard landed on (her) friend’s kayak and followed (them) almost the entire journey.” She also emphasised the “importance of teamwork and coordination” throughout the event.

Both also mentioned that without ODAIG, they would not have known about the event or had the chance to be part of such a momentous celebration.

This milestone goes beyond numbers. It showcased the spirit of SUSS: teamwork, perseverance, and the drive to create meaningful shared experiences. Through coordination and commitment, SUSS kayakers turned stormy weather into a historic SG60 memory.

Representatives from each participating university and PAssionWave stand proudly together, holding the record-breaking certificates for forming Singapore’s largest kayak raft formation.

This event stands as a proud moment for ODAIG and the university, serving as proof that whether under sunny skies or storm clouds, unity and determination can make history.

Read more about our feature on Lianhe Zaobao here: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20250803-7266349