BEACH, (having a) BALL, BABES

987FM's Life's A Beach party draws 10,000 of all ages, including families

FOR many youngsters, this was their first opportunity to take part in a beach party.

A youthful crowd of more than 10,000 attended the 12-hour Life's A Beach party at Sentosa's Siloso Beach yesterday.

It was no ZoukOut - but that may be no bad thing.

There was no sign of any drunken antics, of partygoers so sloshed they're passed out or vomiting.

No alcohol was sold at any of the many booths at the event, which was organised by radio station 987FM and Sentosa, though if they wanted to drink they could go out to one of the nearby restaurants.

Unlike ZoukOut, which has a minimum age limit of 18 and an entrance fee, Life's A Beach was open to all ages and free.

This was clearly a more family and teenager-friendly affair.

AUDIENCE: The crowd goes wild at the concert featuring local bands. TNP PICTURES: NG XI JIE

987FM DJ Daniel Ong, 33, said they had wanted to organise a beach party for a long time, until this opportunity arrived.

They were aiming for people aged 12 to 25 years old.

He said: 'Basically, Singapore lacks a major beach festival for the younger crowd.'

And he felt there was a need for something like that.

The reason for the lack of alcohol was basically to avoid licensing problems.

Trina Lim, 17, who was with her group of 12 friends, gave two thumbs up for more youngster-friendly parties.

She rarely goes to parties as she is underaged.

FAMILY : Adam Goh with his mother, brother Aaron and father Mr Sebastian Goh. TNP PICTURES: NG XI JIE

'It's happening!' she said.

The lack of alcohol was a plus for her, as she said drinkers tend to get violent.

Highlight

Like most of the others interviewed, Trina said the highlight was the concert, which started at 5pm, and featured homegrown bands like Electrico, A Vacant Affair and The Fire Fight.

Other attractions included booths with games (like hoop toss), beach games in the afternoon, and the Siloso Hotbods 2009 contest, which featured participants in their swimwear.

FIERY SHOW: Jonathan Lai, personal trainer, demonstrating a Maori dance involving the twirling of a torch. TNP PICTURES: NG XI JIE

But does sober mean tame?

There was no shortage of babes and hunks in swimwear, and the music was suitably loud.

But for the crowd pressed against the stage with arms aloft, most of the partygoers seemed content to stand around in groups, silently enjoying the music, or sit in groups on the sand.

Mr Claudio Soares, 27, a Brazilian who teaches Brazilian martial arts here, said the event was 'quite cool'.

'But I expect that they would dance more, because if this was in Brazil, everyone would be jumping around,' he said.

Beach party first-timer Adelina Eliza, 17, a student, was screaming her lungs out - but not because she was having fun.

'We're just screaming because no one is moving,' she said.

Her friend, Nur Kamariya, 17, a student, said: 'We'd like better dancing music, like R&B, hip-hop or reggae.'

Another partygoer, Nur Khatijah, 20, a part-time student, complained that there were too many youngsters around.

'It defeats the purpose of a party. I feel there should be an age limit,' she said.

Ms Maria Kassova, 42, who has been to two ZoukOuts, said she loved the beach as a venue for dancing, and she loved Electrico.

But she was disappointed Life's A Beach wasn't as crowded as ZoukOut, which saw about 25,000 participants last year.

'It's a shame because it's a wonderful event,' she said.

Mr Sebastian Goh, 45, an IT manager, was quite glad it had no age limits.

Life's A Beach was a family event for him - he was there with his wife, and his two sons, Adam, 15, and Aaron, 10.

It was Adam who wanted to be there to listen to the music. But why go with his parents?

'Because my father wanted to come,' he said.

Said Mr Goh: 'It's a good day to get the family together, we wanted to do it together.'

Little Aaron was no less enthusiastic.

'I wanted to get autographs from the DJs,' he said.

What did he love most about the event?

'The games!' he replied.

DJ Daniel Ong said he was happy to see parents bringing their children along.

He hoped it will be an annual affair, he added, and said it will certainly happen again next year.

He's planning to bring in bigger acts, even overseas bands, and turn Life's A Beach into a international music festival.

And it will remain free, he promised.

'This is an event that's open for all. Music should be enjoyed by everyone, like how a radio station is enjoyed by everyone,' he said.