Utter disappointment

Went down to Passion Wave to help out with their mini dragonboat race today. As part of the prep, we drove to the coaches at the capsize zone and basically warned them that dragonboats will be coming down the racing lanes at speed.

There is sufficient space, but it always pays to err on the side of caution.

Most of the SCF Coaches were nice about it and merely asked when we would start and end. Sadly, a pretty senior L2 coach from SCF started being a real dick.

The encounter went something like this:

PA Staff: Hi, we're having a race in the lanes, the dragonboats may come down the lanes at speed. Could you stay clear of the area just in front of the buoys?

SCF Coach: I did not hear anything from SCF, you need to inform them in advance.

PA Staff: We've already informed SCF in advance. We're just doing a small scale race until 12pm and would like to inform you to keep a wide berth just in case.

SCF Coach: I will need to check with SCF before I move because I did not hear anything about this.

Come on man... Are you seriously going to put your students in the path of danger just because you were not informed of an activity there?

You're not a robot that needs instructions pre-programmed into you before you head out to coach. 

It's like being in the army, say intel tells you the area you are going to has no enemy movement. But when you approach the area, you hear engine and track noises which means there are enemy armour units in the area. Do you just simply waltz right into the area because intel told you there isn't anything there?

The saddest part is that this SCF coach regularly assists in the teaching of L1 coaching courses. I pray that this aspect of his personality doesn't rub off on newly minted coaches.

This is also one of the reasons why I have always believed in coaches working with various agencies. It reduces the likelihood of an "Us versus Them" mentality, very simply because the coach can identify as being a representative from both sides.

As the saying goes: "They're ok once you get to know them". The problem is, you've got to know them first.

Kayaking trip from Pasir Ris to Changi and back

Thanks to the passionate staff who aren't your typical civil servants that do the bare minimum at work and only look forward to collecting a salary, Water-Venture Pasir Ris has been organising short trips to entice 1 Star certified paddlers to take up 2 Star certification as well as provide a guided trip for newly minted or rusty 2 Star paddlers who may not be familiar with the possible one day kayaking trips in the area.

The first trip was organised back on 2 Jan which led to a participant eventually taking up the 2 Star course in April.

Kayaking Pulau Ubin Mangrove via Sungei Puaka

There are a few new versions of the map of Pulau Ubin since my last trip there donkey years ago. The extra detail along in the newer maps along with my usual route along the Ketam bike trail being blocked by overgrowth and fallen trees led to the discovery of a new route to cut through the Ubin mangroves!

Looking at our tracks, you can see we did quite a bit of backtracking along the Ketam bike trail and quite a bit at the beginning of the really long straight route.

Seems that quite a number of coaches are now not only aware of my Ketam bike trail route, they have also gone through it. 

Not bad... barely anyone believed that the route existed years ago, treating me like some blasphemer with ridiculous claims of an Ubin mangrove route that didn't require a single portage, or requiring less than 10min to paddle to cut through Ubin.

After several dead ends and paddling through a really narrow path, everyone was ecstatic when we managed to see the horizon! Still remember the doubtful looks when we hit a dead end long the narrow straight path. Thankfully, it was just a small bund and a very simple portage over.

Photo Credits: Meetup.com Ubin Mangrove via Sungei Puaka event 

Water-Venture Changi Walkabout

Made my way down to Water-Venture Changi after avoiding the place for many years due to the coaches and staff there that subscribe to Frederick Taylor's "one best way" ideology of doing things. And of course, no prizes for you if you guessed that their way is always the best way :p

Paddling to Singapore's very own Blue Lagoon! (Lazarus Island)

This is a long overdue post from my trip back in early January. Starting off from Sentosa with a bunch of sea scouts, we set off towards Lazarus Island to enjoy some time in the famous Blue Lagoon.

 

As we were waiting for everyone to arrive, I spotted this peacock up in a tree! A good omen to start off the day.

It was a nice sunny day with emerald green water. Conditions were pretty decent, nothing too difficult to handle.

Passion Wave @ Marina Bay Walkabout

The latest and fanciest Water-Venture outlet officially opened last month even though it had already been operating for several months.

This outlet located at 11 Rhu Cross can be considered the replacement for the previous Water-Venture Kallang outlet under the Nicoll Highway.

It takes quite a bit of effort to reach Passion Wave as it is hidden amongst the condominiums in Tanjong Rhu.

Reservoir Discovery Series 2015 - Punggol Waterway

 

 Most people have been on the TPE, but few have gone under it!

Just a mere 2 weeks after the first leg of the Reservoir Discover Series (RDS) at Jurong Lake, I got roped in to help out at second leg held at the Punggol Waterway.

The little 6km tour starts off at the "watersports centre" located at 59 Anchorvale Road. Its actually the Anchorvale CC/Sports and Recreation Centre.

Reservoir Discovery Series 2015 - Jurong Lake

Once again, PA Water-Venture has kicked off another round of the Reservoir Discovery Series which covers Jurong Lake, Punggol Waterway, Lower Seletar Reservoir and Marina Reservoir.

I kicked off the 1st leg of 2015 at Jurong Lake 2 weeks ago on 24 June and the RDS kicked off with overwhelming response.

 Check out the huge group!

It was a wonderfully bright and sunny day, great for a leisurely paddle around the Jurong Lake.

Massive fish deaths in Pasir Ris

Last week I read on the news that AVA was investigating fish deaths at Pasir Ris. Apparently lots of dead fish have been washing ashore.

What I didn't realise was how bad the situation was! This are snippets of what I saw while conducting a class at Pasir Ris beach yesterday.

Not pictured, but also seen washed ashore were plenty of fish and other sea creatures which are poisonous. I spotted bristleworms, scats, catfish, pufferfish and even nudibranchs.


A trainee coach got stung by something while teaching the class and had to leave to get medical attention because he was in pain and having a headache.

I would advise against going to Pasir Ris beach for the time being.

Apparently the part of the beach I was at wasn't so bad because cleaners had already done some cleaning. Check out the post by Wild Shores of Singapore to really see how bad it was.

Taking a back seat

Check out the view!

The 2nd wave of Water-Venture's Reservoir Discovery Series ended last weekend with the final leg being held at Kallang.

Getting recertified in CPR AED

There have been quite a number of cases where athletes participating in sporting events and NSFs participating in route marches experience sudden cardiac arrest.
Both young and old fell victim to sudden cardiac arrest, even those that seemed to be fit. Just goes to show, that you should be prepared.

As a coach meeting people of various fitness levels and age in the courses or activities I conduct. So...

Its a good skill to have, especially when all Water-Venture outlets are equipped with an AED. Doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Project Blue WaVe - Third Wave Event Report

After waiting for quite a long time, I finally got to participate in the Third Wave of Project Blue WaVe at Jurong Lake last Sunday! Had to get up really bright and early to report at 7am!

It was a hazy day with the PSI hitting 104 by the time the event ended!

  The slipway all decked out in Project Blue WaVe posters

 Kian Seng talking about marine conservation on behalf of Waterways Watch Society

National Registry of Coaches Renewal!

Back in 2010, I registered myself with the Singapore Sports Council's National Registry of Coaches (NROC). Unfortunately, I got busy with my job and let the membership expire in 2013.

Thankfully, I managed to clock enough coaching practice and coaching education hours to get a renewal.

And.. here it is! Had to clock an extra 20+ hours to get the renewal approved.

I feel that this is a good thing for sports in Singapore. Coaches are made to stay current and keep practicing for a minimum of 30 hours. 15 hours for the coaching practice and another 15 hours for the coaching education.
This system is similar to some industries. I believe the medical practitioners and registered safety officers have a similar system too, albeit a little more regulated.

Project Blue WaVe

A blue movement by PA Water-Venture to engage all stakeholders in building & maintaining a clean & blue water landscap.

Instead of its annual coastal cleanup, Water-Venture is including an educational element to solve the issue instead of reducing the symptoms.

Project Blue WaVe will be rolled out in 3 waves at various locations with a different theme for each location.  Interconnection, Ownership and Sustainability will be the 3 themes guiding the running of each wave and you can find out more on their facebook page: Project Blue WaVe

 

Head on to http://one.pa.gov.sg to register. It's free!
Simply search for "project blue wave" in activities using the search bar.

I will be participating in the Third Wave at Water-Venture Jurong Lake on 19 October. See you there!

Reservoir Discovery Series 2014 Kallang - Event Report

Had a blast at the final leg of Water-Venture's Reservoir Discovery Series in Kallang. I wasn't the lead paddler for that trip and mainly stayed back to help paddlers out.

I was left behind right from the start to help out the late comers while an old school instructor led the group. Not too sure if the participants were ok with him, but I feel that there really is no need to run these kind of events like a military operation.

Anyway, after I guided the late comers to the main group the first thing I did was some wildlife rescue!
Noticed a bird trying to fly, but the poor thing kept getting yanked down as there was a bit of string tangled round its beak. Luckily, I had a scissors in my PFD and was able to cut it free. Look at it, the poor bird looks so traumatised.

Shortly after, more wildlife was spotted under the Merdeka Bridge. An owl!

The group was actually quite capable and cleared the 10km distance really fast. Spoke to some of the participants and they commented that it was more interesting to paddle here.

And.. I agree! Check out the view.

 Happy faces from the participants.

And of course, PA had to promote its newest outlet Passion Waves at Tanjong Rhu by having a stopover at its pontoon. This new outlet is set to replace the existing Kallang outlet under the Nicoll Highway when the it reopens at the end of 2014.

Pontoon launches should lead to some interesting candid snapshots if people capsize. :p

All in all, I had a great time being a part of the Reservoir Discovery Series. I realised that I have come to prefer this sort of events over the standard 1 Star coaching courses.

Just a small time paddler in Jurong Lake

 

Just came back from a kayaking try-out session at Water-Venture Jurong Lake. The great thing about these sort of events is that it is that there is basically no committment involved. I show up, do a quick brief and it is pretty much just babysitting for the rest of the session.
Free and easy.

Back to Pandan Reservoir

Went back to Pandan Reservoir at 14A Penjuru Road after an absence of a couple of years. Really hot weather, thankfully it was windy. Pandan Reservoir is under the care of the Singapore Canoe Federation. However, they have outsourced the running of the place to X-Current.

It is a reservoir, but due to the openess of the area, it is very windy and there are waves big enough to do some light surfing. Not really condusive for beginners to learn since the water is choppy.

 It's a pontoon launch only area which may be intimidating for newbies. The main pontoon area is well maintained and in very good condition, however, the extension is pretty unstable and is not in really great condition.

 There's a nice urban view and lots of open space. It isn't really cramped and crowded because the folks there are mainly canoe polo players who practice in the confined area. One good thing about the place is that there's free parking. However, those folks using public transport may find it inconvenient to reach the place.

Personally, I won't mind coming here for leisure paddling but it's because I have my own transport and I am confident with the windy and choppy conditions.

Reservoir Discovery Series 2014 - Kallang

After an enjoyable day of paddling for the 1st leg in the PA Water-Venture's Reservoir Discovery Series at Jurong Lake, I just confirmed my participation in another leg of PA Water-Venture's Reservoir Discovery Series at Kallang!

Check out my write up "Water-Venture Kallang Walkabout" if you've never been there.

Those who are driving may wish to park their cars at the Kampong Bugis carpark across the river. You just have to cross a small bridge and walk a little to reach Water-Venture Kallang.



Noticed a blog with a write up on the Jurong Lake leg of the RDS 2014 as well on A Winsome Life and saw a pic of myself :) It's not often that I get my picture taken while paddling.

A test of patience.

Took over a batch of kids doing 1 star on Saturday that really tested my patience. Never enjoyable to teach some kids. These kids are usually uninterested in the activity and forced to attend the course as part of the school curriculum or to get some badge for their CCA.
This time, myself and another coach identified the weaker students and I tried my best to clear those that were able to.
I ended up with a group that consisted of a boy so scared of leaving shore, he would just sit in the kayak. He turned out just fine and was just a needy kid who wanted attention on him all the time. Sometimes, it really annoys me as a coach not to be able to engage all participants.

At least it was a nice sunny day and I learnt something from a fellow coach who is now an OBS instructor. Did some research and it turned out to be The Learning Zone Model.

The Learning Zone Model from Kenneth Chan

Also got to take this photo.

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.