That 'Thing' Lurking in the water

While my previous posting always emphasize confidence during rowing, there is an exceptional situation where it is ok to have fear taking over... During the last Sunday rowing, a 'mysterious' long and white colour object was seen on the water surface, and it seems to be moving towards our boat. What could that be??? Strangely, as we try to investigate, i can't help replaying some of those movie scenes from 'JAWS'... Anyway it turns out to be a discarded rubber hose... much to our little disappointment hoping that it can be some water creatures (ex. water snake)...

That's the end of this small little 'curiosity episode... On another extra note, we never know what could be under those water while we are training and rowing on the boat. I've always believed some other 'living beings' exist below those dark waters... they could possibly be invisible to the naked eye... and 'it' could also have been curious about those hot blooded 'Yang' energy filled strong dragon-boaters that have been training rigourously at Kallang river... it could be lying there deep inside the dark waters, somehow hoping for a chance to 'catch' and 'grab' on to any unfortunate ones and take away their precious 'live energies'...

While it's purely ficitional as written above (trying to mimic writing 'ghostly stuff'), there is a small reminder from such a ficitious description; as much as possible, stay in the boat; try not to capsize; even if capsize and in the water, stay close to the boat, keep your life-jackets on all the time, stay close in the group... do not wander far alone...

Post-SDBF Race Reflection / The power of Encouragement

It is exactly 1 week after the SDBF 800m race at Bedok reservoir. I am still feeling bits of excitement and joy. Our team did well to qualify into the minor finals; an achievement that we have never realised it might happen.

I have to say that we couldn't have achieved this if we have not put our hard work and effort together. Coach Lele mentioned that only about 3 weeks ago, we started to show some improvements during our training. She have also reminded us to be calm and composed, which i believed during our heats, we rowed with a calm composure.

With this, i also have to say for myself that i am also quite suprised that somehow i am able to row well (still with some mistakes though) throughout the race. And in the first place, i didn't even expect to be able to row in this race.

Please allow me to share with you my personal experience here, that leads me to join the rest of the team in this race. About 2 months ago when we were all training hard for the race, i experienced disappointment and frustrations in my own rowing technique; i somehow feel that with every training, i am the obvious one whose coordination has always been out. My morale and motivation drop; and finally i thought to myself that maybe i should give up dragon boat. Therefore, i started to absent myself from training (for about 2 weeks). However, deep in my heart, i do feel regretful that i am giving up a sports hobby that i enjoy.

It was then when Ivan (Team captain) started messaging to everyone to reply on our availability to take part in the race. I thought i should be responsible to let him know that i intend to stop rowing; therefore i replied saying that i will not be taking part in the race, as well as sharing with him my frustations. Ivan replied back to me and quoted me some personal motivating words.... and for this, i decided to come back for training (however with no expectation to take part in the race). And when i came back for training, i somehow don't feel stressed or pressured... In fact, i tried my very best to absorb whatever Coach Lele teaches. Somehow, i noticed that i improved a bit in my coordination and am able to keep up with everyone's pace during rowing.

As the weeks passed with the race approaching nearer, i attended training faithfully... Somehow i felt a bit of waste that i have make the decision not to take part in the race... It was during the last 2nd week (Sun) of training before the race, i have the opportunity to switch from left to become right rower (because during that day, most of the racing rowers are in and there's too much left rowers). Surprisingly, i am able to row better on the right side; coach Lele also commented that i do better on the right. There was suggestion that i should go in the race as a right rower, and i was asked to be prepared to take part in the race rowing on the right.

And it really turns out on the race day that i am rowing on the right. The club paid $50 to get me in to the race. It felt like a blessing that i got a chance to row in the race. Thanks to coach Lele and Ivan for getting me to be in this race, being able to experience the thrills of working together with the rest of the team to qualify into the semis, and subsequently into the minor finals. This is one of the best feeling that i have never experienced... to acheive something with the rest of the team...

As i reflect on this whole episode, i realised that encouragement can really make positive things happen. If not for Ivan's positive encouragement, i could have given up totally on Dragon Boat. If not for Coach Lele spotting my rowing on the right side, i could have missed the thrill and excitement of rowing in the race and ultimately making into the minor finals.

We should encourage each other here; dragon boat rowing is not easy, and i believed there might be others who also experienced frustrations like how i did previously... If you do happen to notice someone getting lost and experiencing difficulty with rowing, do give him/her some encouragement and a pat on the back. It can really pull him/her back to pull strong and get motivated.

(once again to Ivan, thank you so much for those encouraging advice and words...)

Bedok 800m SDBA race 2010

WOO HOO! Go guys and gals! Minor finals for the first time!

Brilliant performance in the heats and semis (and a little bit of luck) and we got through into the minor finals for the first time ever! and in an 800m race as well!

Waiting for official release of results as well as photos - meanwhile big thanks to all (rowers, extended team, supporters, coach!) we couldn't have done it without the whole team! Rest up! Next up, bring on the next race woo hoo proud of you!!

Upcoming race....

Yup yup certainly when training there's just so many things that can happen at once! :)

Race countdown in 2 days!...800m! here we go!!!!!! let me at them!! Hope to get some photos for the blog from the weekend!!!

'What else' do you notice while rowing???

This have happened to me, or might be familiar to some of you; During rowing (ex. during the middle of 800m), i tend to be thinking 'so hard.. so tired.. i'm burning out... when's it gonna end... when are we reaching the finishing point... when can i hear the word 'Easy'... And gradually our mind starts to think negatively... Fear starts to take over...

Perhaps a little self-psychology to share here... have we ever asked ourselves; why are you rowing in the first place? Is it because you love the sport of dragon-boating? Is it because to come and socialise and make friends? Is it because to look look and see see the beautiful sights (you should know what i'm referring) every weekend at Kallang Water Sports Centre?

If you answer yes to all 3 questions, then we share the same sentiments. But i guess the first question should be the gist... Only if you love the sport of dragon boating. That's the biggest motivation why you are willing to come down every weekend during the hot afternoon of 2pm... That's the reason why you enjoy rotating your body and making the core muscles to move the paddle and get the boat moving... That's the reason why you are willing to challenge yourself to lift up a bit more and get that extra pushing...

Sounds very motivating... although in practice i must say its otherwise... But isn't this true? We tend to let fear take over when all that fatigue comes in... afraid of not catching up with the rest and coordinating well... Our mind just get totally absorbed in negativity...

With all these tiredness and fatigue setting in, can i still tell myself 'i enjoy dragon-boat rowing'... Tiredness and fatigue is inevitable; but do you really enjoy the whole process of rowing? Do you still remember that you are here every weekend because of your love for the sport? Or perhaps; do you smile while you are rowing (perhaps a stupid question; you might not notice your facial experession during the hardcore rowing.. its all huffing and puffing and grunting...) Rather than hating the tiredness and fatigue, can we possibly reverse it and say 'oh that feels good, i'm pushing well indeed!'

Perhaps the next time during rowing, just before we start the rowing set, and when the paddles up command is given, do take a short while to think 'i'm here because i love dragon-boat'!