When the Public Utilities Board launched its initiative to open up, in a selective manner, the nation's reservoirs for water sports, Sava was one of its first beneficiaries.

It has always been a part of Sava's vision to engage the community in flat water dragon boat racing. It has also been a goal to be able in some way to bridge the two disciplines of paddle sports, namely dragon boating and canoeing.

The opportunity to do so arose in 2005 after consultation with the authorities, and with the participation of the National University of Singapore at Sava's invitation at the organizational level. MacRitchie Reservoir was deemed by Sava the most fitting location for the first MR500, not only because of its beauty but also because its waters were familiar to the canoeing fraternity. Plus the Paddle Lodge was opened there as well.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources then, Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, flagged off the very first race and history was made in the form of the first combined dragon boat and canoe competition on flat water - MR500.

 

The following year, 2006, Sava took the event to Lower Seletar Reservoir. Never had an event of this nature been seen there before. Since then, the reservoir has developed into an important location in the north of the island for flat water paddle sports and is destined to grow further.

 

In 2008, Sava invited the Singapore Management University to co-organise the MR500. The event has become an important part of the SMU Dragon Boat Team's curriculum in developing a sense of managerial and social responsibility amongst its young members.

Bedok Reservoir has also been a venue for MR500. With this year's event being held at Marina Reservoir, the MR500 can proudly claim to have been held in all of the reservoirs which have been opened up for water sports. Without exception, no other water sports event can claim such an accolade.

It is this rich history that makes the event a very special one.