Singapore surfer Camille Spaccarotella eyes podium finish on Asian Games debut

Singaporean surfer Camille Spaccarotella, 21, is targeting a podium finish in her debut at the Asian Games this September in Japan. The sport will make its debut at the continental Games, and Spaccarotella will become Singapore's first surfer to compete at the Asian Games, a milestone in her journey that began during a family beach holiday in Bali a decade ago.

Her initial interest in surfing was a family holiday pastime, transforming into a passion and eventually a serious pursuit. Her first competitive experience in 2020 was not successful, with Spaccarotella admitting she didn't catch any waves during her heat. Two years later, she gave competitive surfing another chance in Bali, finishing third.

Training at home is challenging due to the lack of natural surf spots in Singapore, so Spaccarotella spends up to four months a year in Bali refining her skills. Competitions in India, South Korea, and the Philippines have also exposed her to more experienced surfers from across the region. In 2024, Spaccarotella became Singapore's first surfer to qualify for the Asian Games.

Her goal for the upcoming competition is to secure a podium finish, but she recognizes this as a significant step in her athletic career. Spaccarotella hopes her journey will inspire a new generation of surfers in Singapore, suggesting a purpose-built wave pool could help develop the sport in the country.