(i dedicate this entry to canoeists. ALL canoeists.)
we were supposed to meet up tomorrow, but many couldn't make it and it was canceled. well. i miss those times of push ups, sprints, gym, swimming..oh boy. those were the days.
i dunno about you, but i am proud to be a canoeist. we have our own little community down at kallang that is oblivious (and damn ulu) to the rest of the world. however, every face is a familiar one, albeit a few hundred of us, because of our regular trainings, "OEI!! EXCUSE ME!!!" while paddling, saving capsized boats, sneakily pacing each other, the psycho mindset we prolly all have, and most importantly, the time and effort we commit ourselves to this sport + the bond in just BEING a canoeist.
i'm not being biased against other sports, but the experience is indescribable. the blood, sweat and tears - literally, we've all shed, make us one. we understand each other and when we lose, it's not because we weren't good enough, but because there were others, BETTER.
canoeing is a unique sport. very unlike other sports i've tried. it's an individual or doubles sport, but yet, VERY MUCH a team sport. canoeing as taught me a lot with my partner, christine, who is very much the opposite of me. very emotionally driven, we shared our (mostly hers, hahahaha) ups and downs; and i knew how much she didn't want to disappoint me. it was a mutual understanding. as much as canoeing is a water sport, the training also happens on land. oh my god. i hated land trainings. my team mates will remember me puking after each run, sprained ankles, and hyperventilation - i was NEVER good at running. but in the gym...that's another story. i am proud to say i can lift guys weights and was on par with the guys. i broke my paddle during our semi finals (thus we didn't qualify for finals), and THAT'S how i got my nickname as the "paddle breaker". *cringe
canoeing has taught me about myself as well, my physical limitations, my mental capabilities, the discipline and the "brotherhood" that is shared with not only team mates, but friends. from us calling the guys "gay" to them calling us "she-man", indeed, our friendly banter has etched itself in my memories and laughter quickly follows the recollections. we often helped each other out in school, i was hopeless at math and got help from hengbu and chris; i taught some GP and grammar stuff to those who asked. winwin situation.
well. i'd love to write and write and write about canoeists and canoeing, but i'd never stop writing because we're always learning and growing (physically, especially..hahaha) and well, you'll have to try it for yourself. plus, there are too many memories. i spent 3/4 my jc life with these guys, slogging it out under the hot sun, paddling with fucken huge raindrops in my eyes, getting cut by barnacles and tortured by seniors. you bet i love these guys.
snippets that only attempt to show you what we've been through
we were supposed to meet up tomorrow, but many couldn't make it and it was canceled. well. i miss those times of push ups, sprints, gym, swimming..oh boy. those were the days.
i dunno about you, but i am proud to be a canoeist. we have our own little community down at kallang that is oblivious (and damn ulu) to the rest of the world. however, every face is a familiar one, albeit a few hundred of us, because of our regular trainings, "OEI!! EXCUSE ME!!!" while paddling, saving capsized boats, sneakily pacing each other, the psycho mindset we prolly all have, and most importantly, the time and effort we commit ourselves to this sport + the bond in just BEING a canoeist.
i'm not being biased against other sports, but the experience is indescribable. the blood, sweat and tears - literally, we've all shed, make us one. we understand each other and when we lose, it's not because we weren't good enough, but because there were others, BETTER.
canoeing is a unique sport. very unlike other sports i've tried. it's an individual or doubles sport, but yet, VERY MUCH a team sport. canoeing as taught me a lot with my partner, christine, who is very much the opposite of me. very emotionally driven, we shared our (mostly hers, hahahaha) ups and downs; and i knew how much she didn't want to disappoint me. it was a mutual understanding. as much as canoeing is a water sport, the training also happens on land. oh my god. i hated land trainings. my team mates will remember me puking after each run, sprained ankles, and hyperventilation - i was NEVER good at running. but in the gym...that's another story. i am proud to say i can lift guys weights and was on par with the guys. i broke my paddle during our semi finals (thus we didn't qualify for finals), and THAT'S how i got my nickname as the "paddle breaker". *cringe
canoeing has taught me about myself as well, my physical limitations, my mental capabilities, the discipline and the "brotherhood" that is shared with not only team mates, but friends. from us calling the guys "gay" to them calling us "she-man", indeed, our friendly banter has etched itself in my memories and laughter quickly follows the recollections. we often helped each other out in school, i was hopeless at math and got help from hengbu and chris; i taught some GP and grammar stuff to those who asked. winwin situation.
well. i'd love to write and write and write about canoeists and canoeing, but i'd never stop writing because we're always learning and growing (physically, especially..hahaha) and well, you'll have to try it for yourself. plus, there are too many memories. i spent 3/4 my jc life with these guys, slogging it out under the hot sun, paddling with fucken huge raindrops in my eyes, getting cut by barnacles and tortured by seniors. you bet i love these guys.
snippets that only attempt to show you what we've been through
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