It has been years since we participated in austcham – a unique race which calls for long, steady strokes and lots of stamina, paddling over a 5K or 10K distance that spans across Kallang and the Marina Bay.
Who is up for the challenge ?
There were 3 categories in Austcham this year :
1. Women 5K (NEW!) – DB12 boat, 10 paddlers, 1 coxswain, all women
2. Open 5K – DB12 boat, 10 paddlers, 1 coxswain, no restrictions on gender mix
3. Mixed 10K – DB22 boat, 20 paddlers, 1 coxswain, 50/50 gender mix
With Kalasag (whom we partnered in the Pesta Sukan Women 2K Ring Race and clinched a Bronze), we managed to register an Open crew (6UD+4KD, all men) under U Dragons and a Women crew (6 KD+4UD) under Kalasag Dragons.
Hourly trainings were planned on Sundays ( very hot, humid afternoon ! ) barely 5 weeks from Race Day. We could not schedule it any earlier as it would have clashed with the Penang Race training ( Dec 2023) where some of the crew members are participating in.
Our last two trainings were threatened by the haze and everyone was closely monitoring the PSI readings, praying hard that we would not have to cancel the sessions.
who could not make it due to work commitments
RACE DAY !
The organizer ( Austcham ) was busy with setting up the tents and getting drinks chilled for the hot afternoon while crews were getting ready for the races.
The race schedule
Warm up, recap race strategy, psych up for the race, let’s go !
Race lane / sequence and Bib # / colour:
Women – Bib 01, White
Open – Bib 16, Green
Mixed – Bib 07, White (yes, one of us was asked by another team to join them for the 10K !)
There were only 3 teams in the Women category ( probably because it was a new category ) so podium finish was guaranteed right from the start. The main challenge : will we be able to sustain our starting position at 01, leave the backwash behind us and lead all the way to the finishing line ?
The German Dragons and Singapore Paddles Club teams were stronger than us, overtaking to take the first 2 spots just under sub-30s. Our ladies were not too far off with several seconds closing almost on the dot in 30 mins. WELL DONE, TEAM !
Fierce competition was seen in the Open category with 28 teams including Senior National Teams A & B going in for the experience ( no prizes for winning ! ).
Our guys held on tightly – they were overtaken by some but took back the lead against others.
Overall, they retained their ending position at #16, the same position where they started off. GREAT job, guys !
There were more actions in the 10K category. The route is twice as long and a lot more challenging, taking the big boats pass the Flyer, under the Helix bridge to the Merlion, Marina Bay and back – much to the delights of tourists hanging around the area. The teams continued to try and impress the spectators with overtaking at the 4 turning points within the Marina.
As the Sun goes down and the races over, it’s time to cheer for the winners.
CONGRATS to all the winning teams !
With the excitement of the race behind us – it’s time to replenish and PARTY, PARTY !
Off to Hero at Clarke Quay ! ( organizer chartered buses )
For U Dragon mates, perhaps next year we could form a team for 10K, having concurred 5 quite comfortably ?
Come on, it’s a game of Mind Over Body.
After all…..
U Dragons 