This is a joint blog shared by 2 lazy pple - Ciping & Wilbur, who wishes to use each other to maintain the blog. Sadly, Ciping is the more inactive one and Wilbur does most of the work in the end. Feel free to post comments on the tag-board, it feels good to know pple are actually reading and responding to your posts. It gives motivation to write more.
A competition coming up would be the canoeing competition organised by the SDBA (S'pore dragonboat association). To give a little background info, there are different types of canoes/kayaks, namely,
T1, T2, K1, K2, where the number represents singles(1) or doubles(2), and K is the much more skinnier,longer and unstable 1.
There's 500m event, and 1000m event for each type of boat. And VJ is eligible to join the (under 19) and (open) category - which basically means any1 can join, like NUS, NTU - those guys with MONSTER ARMS and MONSTER BODIES.
So, as VJ is fairly new in Kayaking, juz 2 yrs i believe, and for each category, 2 participants may take part, added to the fact that not every1 does the same event, I managed to enter the T1 500m race. Not really due to my own merit, but basically because not many were doing that event.
Anyway, my friend and I was dumped into the open category because our 2 seniors would have better chances of winning in the under 19 category, for obvious reasons.
And so, with only 1 month of training, from almost a complete noob, I underwent intensive training (somewhat la huh). It didn't help that VJ did not have enough kayaks for every1, and we had to spend half the time waiting juz for a short trip on the kayak. It also didn't help that other schools like NJC would parade their full FLEET of kayaks, 1 for 1 person, when we were all standing at the shore.. waiting for some1 to come back.
Initially, when I go out, I would capsize, capsize and yes.. capsize. Either that or I'd bascially be unstable. With my competion this sunday, I went down to Kallang on MOnday, tuesday n today. Yes, I sacrificed my full day off. And now, gladly, I'm able to row quite comfortably, but I still can't sprint very stabily yet though.
Anyway, just today, I was in for a big shock. Initially, I hoped that schools would think likewise and dump their worst kayakers into the open category. So perhaps I'd have some chance of qualifying. But as I saw my schdule...
Lane No. Name Organisation
1 Lua Wei Liang, Wilbur VJC
2 Tham Keng cheong, John PA
3 Quek Ngee Po LKC
4 Yeo shi Guang, Derrick NJC
5 Chian Kai Hong HCI ‘C’
6 Raymond Koh TMS
PA = People's association. I bet it'd be some big sized 20 something year old.
LKC = Lightning Kayaking CLub. This comprises of some of the elite kayakers that are out of college. Chance of even coming close to him? 0%.
NJC. The powerhouse, number 1, unbeatable college. Need I say more?
HCI 'C'. THe number 2 after NJC. No need to further elaborate also right.
TMS. Temasek sec. In terms of age, the least intimidating. Yet, TMS is 1 of the strongest secondary schools in kayaking. And that guy probably have a few years of experience. When compared to my '1 month', I can juz jump down into the water.
So you see, perhaps from the start I could have juz withdrawn. But nvm, I'll juz go and see.. how much I get thrashed by. Anything better than a 6th in position would be a victory for me. Or even coming close to them, would put me in very good sstead for future competitions. I will not give up all hope............. as yet.. till perhaps, when I see their muscles.
Wish me luck.
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