Do you know what drowning looks like?

Most people's idea of what drowning looks like would be what they saw on tv or at the movies. A person shouting for help, hands over their heads trying to get someone's attention.
In actual fact, drowning is pretty much silent. The person would be too busy gasping for air to shout and too busy using their hands to keep their head above the water to flail them in the air.

Check out this news report from Fox 9 in the US.
INVESTIGATORS: Drowning is silent - KMSP-TV
KMSP-TV

Although kayakers have to wear PFDs while kayaking in Singapore, I have always believed that you should know how to swim if you're going to be involved in watersports.

Water-Venture Reservoir Discovery Series: Jurong Lake

I had the good fortune to be involved in the 1st leg of Water-Venture's Reservoir Discovery Series. It was a simple 5km kayaking trip around Jurong Lake, Chinese Garden and the Japanese Garden.
One good thing about this event is that its a simple and short trip at only 5km. Best part was that permissions was granted by PUB to allow paddlers to enter the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden, places usually out of bounds to avoid the risk of paddlers being flushed out by the tidal gates when PUB needs to reduce the water level.

 

The day started off pretty gloomy with heavy rains early in the morning. The event was delayed by 30 minutes, starting at 10am instead of 9.30pm.
The organisers were a little worried when only less than half of the registrants showed up at around 9am, but we ended with quite a good turn out.