#nteamdbgirls2015 #seagamescrew2015 #2xbronzemedallists

 By right I should be letting Josmin update this space since she wants/needs to hone her writing skills but by left, I would love to contribute a little to this space too :D besides I need to be #FLFP hahaha first like first post lol #competitivelikethat

We bid goodbye to Seagames2015. Nope, it hasn't ended but the events for Dragonboat/Traditional Boat Racing has ended.

Held over the 1st weekend of June, the #dbteamsg managed to bag not 1 , not 2 BUT 5 bronze medals. This can be considered a success for the team as they have been aiming to get a podium standing for seagames.

Although the ladies missed the elusive and highly coveted Gold medals, retaining our 2nd runner up position for the 6 crew 500m event is good news, managing to snag 2nd runner up for 12 crew 500m is a huge bonus.

The men's team did an even better job. They brought home 3 bronze medals. These medals are a first for the men's team since the 1993 games held here on homeground. 22 years ago, we brought home a Gold medal. Today, we have 3 medals from the guys team. They are for the 6 crew 200m , 12 crew 500m and 6 crew 500m events.

Let's say hello to the men's team!

#nteamdbguys2015 #seagamescrew2015 #3xbronzemedallists

Months and months of gruelling training, crazy runs and never ending paddling leads to a mere 2.5minutes on the water. Kudos to the paddlers for taking time off to train full time for the sake of the nation. Some had to take a pay cut, some others delayed looking for jobs, some deferred from their studies. It was definitely not an easy journey but I am pleased to report that we did it :D we made history. 5 medals for SG50, it's good to know that their hard work paid off.

The skies were bright, it was sunny but cloudy. A perfect day for racing. Held in conjunction with the 2nd week of #DBSMarinaRegatta2015. The events for seagames were slotted in during the lunch breaks of the local events. Different teams and all sorts of paddlers gathered along the edges of the waters and at the grandstand to cheer for our national athletes, our pride and joy.

Cloudy but sunny day. Perfect weather for race :)

Before going down for race, our paddlers will do their warm ups to, yes you guessed it, warm up their muscles first. Warm ups usually comprises of a short 10min run followed by dynamic stretches and usually ends with visualization. I guess you'd need to warm up your mind too. Be open to the possibilities. 'What your mind can conceive, it can achieve.'

#nteamdbgirls2015 huddling up for mental prep before going down for race

Time for the teams to head up to the start point. As a seasoned paddler, we could easily tell the different countries by their looks and also by their racing attire. Let me give you a hint: It would usually be in accordance with the colours of their national flag.

heading up to the starting point

The teams getting ready at the starting point. Our skyline as a beautiful backdrop to the event of their lives. I have always wondered how the paddlers from other countries view our country. And. It really is scary how you feel so fully prepared before you go down into the waters but at the start point, there will still be some slight jitters and sometimes nerves will get the better of you. I guess these girls have been through it all and their mind is an impenetrable wall of self belief.

getting ready at the start point. anytime now.

 'Are you ready? Attention!' *horn* The games begin. The teams paddle ferociously down the lanes. Their stroke rate astounding and the boats cruise along the lanes. All the teams are side by side. The crowd roars as TeamSG has a fighting chance for podium finish. It is a close race and no one can predict the ending. As they near the ending point, their stroke rate increases even more. The crowd goes crazy and everyone (including myself and jos) cheered our lungs out. "GO SINGAPORE'' can be heard, our voices came together as one. Never have we seen these kind of stroke rate locally, the spectators are all in awe and the cheering gets even louder.

at the ending point

And there you have it, 8 months of full time training compressed into a 2min36sec race set. Coming in a close 3rd behind Myanmar and the champions, Thailand. Who would have thought?

The girls after finishing their race set

The faces of elation and unbridled joy knowing that they have created history. This is a moment to remember. Guys came in 3rd just behind the Myanmar team as well. This result is phenomenal!

Guys after their race set.

Medallists :)

#nteamdbgirls2015

#nteamdb #dbteamsg

PM Lee gracing the event.

Spectacular fireworks to end off the evening

In the blink of an eye, Seagames 2015 is over. The girls will be having their well deserved training break and head to Bangkok! Not too sure about the guys but I do hope they get a nice holiday as well.
No amount of words can ever describe what the team had to go through to achieve whatever they had today. These bronzes may just seem like 3rd placings to alot of people out there but as an ex national paddler myself and having been to many other international races, I daresay this is the best race that I've ever seen, the best fight that the girls put up. The girls made vast improvements in this past 8 months. I guess this really goes to show that if you dare to believe it, you really can achieve it. Also, results DO show that FULL TIME training is effective. Compared to 2 years ago, at the games in Myanmar, the team was 2 boat lengths behind the 2nd last boat. Here they are now, standing tall on the podium.

Good job girls. We are all very proud of you :) Our hearts are with you, always.

Individually we are one drop but together, we are an ocean.