High!

My life appeared to have undergone some transformation within these few months. It’s not because I’m Optimus Prime or Megatron. After that unpleasant experience months ago, I’ve looked at life in a different perspective. I’m so pleased that I’ve resumed dragonboat training. It spurs me to take gym training seriously. It compels me to improve my cardiovascular endurance. It helps me to develop my mental strength. It stops my mind from wandering and inspires me to direct my energy into the sport. I’m blessed to have met many amazing teammates. I’m glad to be given the opportunity to participate in the race at Bedok Reservoir.

The most memorable has to be the 1 star kayaking certification. I spent 2 wonderful days at Kallang River. When I signed up for the 1 star kayaking certification, I didn’t feel keen or enthusiastic initially. In fact, I almost chicken out! But I decided to give it a go anyhow.

After a brief introduction about the nuts and bolts of kayaking, it was straight into some aquatic action. Gosh, maneuvering and navigating the kayak was a tough feat. To head straight and maintaining it was far more challenging than I thought. Then we had the 50 m swim test, the capsized drill and learning some basic paddling strokes. Never mind, I drank plenty of grimy sea water. I managed to overcome my phobia of being submerged in the water. Not once! Not twice! But thrice. At the end of day 1, I obtained instant gratification.

Day 2 was even more fun and exciting! We learnt how to rescue a capsized boat. We took turns to role play victim, rescuer and assistant of which I thought rescuer’s mission was a tall order. The most exhilarating time has to be the Captain’s Ball – Kayaking style! Boy, I didn’t know my teammates were such aggressive creatures when it comes to competition. So much so that a few of them capsized during the game. Haha! But it was jolly good fun!

Of late, I could sense a strengthening of our bond within the team. Other than rowing, we’ve watched all the recent blockbusters. We went for makan sessions after training. Attendance at the kayaking and dinner at Hans were fantastic. Soon, we’ll be watching a play. We are a team - a group of people with collective identity working together towards a common goal. When we row in harmony, the chances of enjoying the journey and achieving our goals are greatly enhanced.

I like to dedicate this song to my teammates. It’s a 1999 song called “High” by Lighthouse Family. I like this part of the lyrics:

Don’t you think its time you started
Doing what we always wanted
One day we're gonna get so high
Cause even the impossible
Is easy when we got each other
One day wer'e gonna get so high