Clubbing under splash water

Stevens Muendo was at the Coast during the festive season and ushered New Year in style. He joined other celebs and revellers last Friday at new pool disco, Club Lambada

Just 24 hours after ushering in the New Year with firecrackers and ululations, all roads led to North Coast where Club Lambada — the ultimate hang out for hundreds of Nairobi revellers who hit the Coast to celebrate the festive season.

And Pulse was there to catch the action. Burly MC Big Ted, DJ Space, Malcolm P and ‘never say die’ DJ Stone checked in shortly after 11pm, an hour before the underwater disco party kicked off.

Groups of Nairobians paraded around the two dance pools long before then. And true to the hype, it all turned to be a fun filled night.

Lambada resident DJ Delphin Macharia aka DJ Delph and his turntables were halfway immersed in one pool.

"Welcome to party time Nairobians. It’s time to get your groove on," the DJ welcomed the party-goers as white fumes blew through the pool blurring the tantalising disco lights as the music boomed to an animated cheer from the crowd.

Hypnotised, clothes begun to fall off as revellers begun diving into the pool for the ultimate splash underwater disco night extravaganza.

"What the f***!" exclaimed a group of fans whom I later came to learn were staff from a beer company.

"Are you serious. This is not a child’s joke," whispered another, blown away by the spectacular show. It looked like a scene taken out of a movie, the kind that can only be projected in a vision 2030 showbiz projection — or so I pondered!

Sassy models in bikinis strutted the runway, which forms the bridge between the two disco water pools. Dancing to the tunes of the latest jam churning from the VJ mix, they went into the pool as male fans ogled and cheered. Yet, that was just the tip of the iceberg. The lights were soon to go off for a more ‘adult’ hour — on the pool edges!

The Lambada Splash disco is quickly becoming the talk of Mombasa due to its unique underwater disco, the only one of its kind in the region.

Revellers are normally treated to underwater deejay and veejay mixes as they dance the night away in the disco pools.

A group of male dances and lady models similar to the popular Safari Cats were the climax of the breath-taking midnight show which include diving off the runway to the pool. And in the pool, choreographed dancing routines are showcased coupled with adrenaline drinking competitions for those who dare.

Ironically, lady fans usually outnumber the male fans in the pool and even challenge the male counter-parts to join in the dance to earn themselves a free glass or bottle of their favourite drink.

And under the weight of inebriation some even end up plunging into the water fully dressed only to sober up to the reality of a wet night. Regardless, it’s all but part of the fun.

"This is the only water disco in Africa," says DJ Delph.

In fact, the popular DJ who has been hosting his own shows in Europe for the last three years is already contemplating on reducing his international concerts as the demand in Lambada takes toll on him.

"Our weekends are always action packed. We always bring in artistes from all over the region to spice up the party every weekend. This has become the most popular club in Mombasa. I’m earning well and my boss is happy with the returns," he explains.

Making a step ahead of Nairobi clubs, Delph normally presents a live big screen video mix all weekend.

"This is the latest trend which is being practiced in clubs abroad. Veejay disco provides great thrill to revellers, the show gets lively and fans usually feel attached to the music at the club scene as they can follow the visual presentation. It’s the age of the veejay," notes Delph.

However, the club is not just a reserve for those who are only interested with underwater pool dancing, as there are two more dance halls made for the more reserved lot.

"We just came up with an idea. At first, the underwater disco concept sounded bizarre. But now, every one is cool with it. It is even turning to be a tourist attraction in Mombasa," says Lambada proprietor, Mr Kamau.

Coast visiting Nairobi fans most of who only knew of The Bobs Club, Campus Haven and the notorious Casablanca are now opting for the trendier Splash discotheque.