A Tribute to PLK

This weekend at the Singapore River Regatta 2009, I walk with a sense of pride wearing my red and white PLK paddlers jersey. I had the great honour to be my team's drummer on the 2 most important days of the dragonboat calendar.

It was indeed a well-spent weekend... one which I won't trade for anything in the world. This weekend, I saw how immense passion and zest for a sport brings a team to greater heights. The wonderful thing about PLK is that amidst the intense competition and tension during a race, we never forget to enjoy ourselves. The camaraderie and friendships is always a valuable key feature in our team. Encouragement and support for each other strengthens our team spirit. I go to a race knowing that my fellow teammate will perform his utmost best and hence I should do my best too! There is no second-guessing or doubts about one another in the team. Beyond that, care and concern for fellow teammates show up all the time... ensuring each other is well-hydrated, well-fed, etc.

I really enjoy being my team's drummer. As the drummer, I get to watch my team grow from the bird's eye view.

PLK has come a long way. I still remember the first race I drummed... MR500 2008. I went in jittery, not knowing what to expect, desperately holding on to the drum for my dear life cos goodness it was soooo rocky!! My teammates were nervous but all ready to brave a storm. Discipline was absent and communication between coxwain, rowers and drummer was poor. We came out of the heats thrashed and disappointed.

However, sitting at the drummer's seat now, I can see that the faces of my fellow teammates are brimming with so much conviction and confidence... the conviction to do the team proud and the confidence that the months of training will be put to good use at this very moment. Sure... the tension and nerves were there but seasoned as they are, they've learnt to overcome all that and replace those nerves with discipline and focus. On top of that, I feel this hunger for victory fuelling every single rower's power strokes. Towards every last charge, the effort to give their all without reserves absolutely touched my heart. It is during those last 20 seconds where everyone pushed on despite being fatigued. It is during those times where boundaries were surpassed... where every single rower has risened a level in terms of character as well as stamina, just because they persevered till the very end.

And at the end of it all, whether we were 1st, 2nd or 3rd, we were victorious in our own way. We pat ourselves and each other on our backs and congratulate each other for paddling hard for the team. We walk home with a sense of belonging and pride. That's what I did last Sunday...

From the way I see it, the only way for PLK is UP towards excellence! With such a dedicated and motivated bunch of teammates backed by a resourceful and far-sighted committee, PLK is indeed an unstoppable force!