Singapore Canoe Federation

F lOW MAKING WAVES SINCE 1971 COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS OF THE SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION

2 FLOW-MAKING WAVES SINCE 1971 F lOW MAKING WAVES SINCE 1971 COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS OF THE SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION ISBN 978-981-18-3025-9 Published by Singapore Canoe Federation www.scf.org.sg | www.facebook.com/singaporecanoefederation | [email protected] Supported by All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. The views expressed here are solely those of the authors in their private capacities and do not in any way represent the views of the National Heritage Board and/or any government agencies. Copyright © 2021 Singapore Canoe Federation Concept, Art Direction and Design by Oculus Design Written by Bridgette See Edited by Chloe Goh, Francis Ng and Teo Ling Xuan

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 3 Vision Making Canoeing a Sport for All Mission Towards Excellence in Canoeing and Making it Safe and Fun CONTENTS 14 Chapter 1: 89 A Note From ... Off The Launching Pad 93 Roster Of National Athletes 4 Introduction 98 Our Affiliations & Our Affiliates 5 Foreword 32 Chapter 2: 99 Our Structure Finding Its Rhythm 100 Picture Credits By The SCF President 44 Chapter 3: 6 Messages From A New Wave Of Optimism Our Advisors 68 Chapter 4: 7 Our Council Rolling With The Punches 9 Our Staff 10 Milestones 80 Chapter 5: Ready For The Future

4 FLOW-MAKING WAVES SINCE 1971 This is the moment when strength, technique, endurance and speed must come together There’s no time for distractions: Let the loud cheers fade And the competition disappear Eyes ahead, ears alert Take a deep breath and focus on the moment All ready to power through the pain; All set for the rush The horn sounds and you’re off Digging deep to get into the F lOW

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 5 Foreword BY THE SCF PRESIDENT Since our founding in 1971, we have become Council members – painstakingly combed when the fate of the SCF hung in the balance a successful National Sports Association through a wide range of materials to present – not once but twice – in the late 70s and Yip Kwan Guan charged with the growth and development an original, authentic and powerful account the mid-90s. If we can confront these President of canoeing in Singapore. From the handful of the SCF’s heritage. In the process, we pockmarks of our past, we can avoid making Singapore Canoe Federation of pioneers who had a dream of representing unearthed stories of how canoeing took root the same mistakes in the next 50 years. “The more you know about the past, Singapore on the global stage, we are now in Singapore, the challenges that the SCF the better prepared you are for the run by a professional secretariat and backed faced in the early years, and how the SCF and The future is looking good and moving future.” This quote – often attributed to by many passionate volunteers who are the canoeing community overcame these forward, the SCF is well on its way to making the 26th US President Theodore Roosevelt – dedicated to making canoeing a sport for all. obstacles and adversities. canoeing a sport for all. Nothing is impossible sums up why we commissioned this and as windows of opportunity appear, 50th anniversary commemorative book, Today, we have groomed national athletes Flow captures the essence of the SCF’s the SCF will continue to act, just like how it entitled Flow. who have flown the Singapore flag proudly. extraordinary journey while documenting has embarked on its mission to champion In turn, many are now nurturing the next the rich historical and cultural sporting inclusivity, enabling persons with disabilities generation of paddlers who will surely do heritage associated with canoeing in to paddle and compete under its Canoeing even better. Singapore over half a century through Cares initiative and introducing the sport to hitherto untold paddling stories. younger children through the Kid-in-a-Kayak Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has (KIAK) programme. thrown us in the past two years, we have Many of our paddlers may not know how we managed to ride the turbulent waves well – were founded and what drove the pioneers to On behalf of the Council and SCF, I would like a testament of the good work put in to establish the Federation. Neither would the to acknowledge and express my heartfelt build a resilient Federation prior to the younger ones know the struggles that those gratitude to our partners, stakeholders, global pandemic. who came before them faced. affiliates and members of the canoeing community who have contributed to the Our future is promising, yet we can never But it is critical for younger generations sport of canoeing, allowing us to successfully take this for granted. For this reason, we took of paddlers to know the past well in order produce this valuable heritage publication. a pause to reflect on our past, our heritage in to build upon what has been achieved and the 50th year of our founding – so that we can enhance it further into the future with an Congratulations to the Singapore Canoe be better prepared for the future. even stronger spirit than the pioneers had. Federation on its 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee! To discover our past, the Secretariat and And in the spirit of staying authentic, we the writer – together with past and present chose not to gloss over the difficult years

6 FLOW-MAKING WAVES SINCE 1971 Congratulations to the Singapore Canoe Utilities Board Recreational Club and All these achievements would not have Federation (SCF) on its 50th Anniversary! Vigilante Corps. been possible without the contributions of Messages generation after generation of committee From its humble beginnings in 1971, Over the years, the SCF has journeyed with members, athletes, coaches, volunteers, FROM OUR ADVISORS when modern canoeing was still quite the canoeing community through many affiliates and supporters of the SCF. I would new to Singapore, the SCF has grown memorable moments – from Geraldine like to extend my sincere gratitude to all Desmond Lee Ti-Seng into an important national sports Lee becoming Singapore’s first Olympic these partners, who have helped the SCF Minister for National Development association that champions all canoeing kayaker at the 2012 Olympic Games in build such a rich and meaningful legacy. & Minister-in-charge of Social disciplines, including Canoe Sport, London, to Mervyn Toh winning Singapore’s As we look back on the past 50 years of Services Integration Canoe Polo and Paracanoe. Along the first Asian Games canoeing medal at the the SCF’s history, let us learn from the way, there have been ups and downs, 2018 Asian Games, and many more. But insights and experience of our pioneers, Sun Xueling as this book, Flow, elegantly traces – beyond these sporting successes, the SCF so that we can continue to bring the Minister of State, Ministry of but through it all, the SCF has pushed has also played a pivotal role in bringing sport of canoeing, along with its virtues Education & Ministry of Social forward with admirable grit and resilience, the Singapore canoeing community closer of discipline, determination, and hard and Family Development much like the athletes that it supports. together. It has helped to create a more work, to many more future generations of For example, during challenging periods sustainable environment for canoeing, and Singaporeans. in the 1970s and 1990s when the morale increased accessibility to water sports and motivation of volunteers started to all over our island. In particular, the SCF’s Congratulations again to the SCF for wane, the SCF managed to revitalise itself, efforts to bring the joys of canoeing to reaching this significant milestone, with the support of partners like Sport younger children, from primary school and I look forward to your continued Singapore, Singapore National Olympic onwards, as well as persons with special contributions for years to come. Council and Singapore Pools, as well as needs, are important in building a more many other affiliates, such as the Public inclusive sporting culture in our society. My heartiest congratulations to It not only recalls the pride and joy in I am excited for the future of canoeing the Singapore Canoe Federation celebrating the achievements of the in Singapore. I believe through continued on this important milestone of their canoeing community but it also shares the leadership renewal and the support of 50th anniversary. lesser-known efforts of many others and the community and the public, the the unsung heroes who have contributed to canoeing ecosystem will grow even This book captures the many memorable an increasingly vibrant canoeing scene in stronger and achieve much more. moments in the rich history of canoeing Singapore. They have given the Federation in Singapore. It is an excellent illustration a strong foundation to build on, and now it The Federation will strive to build on of the impressive development of the is the challenge, the responsibility and the its successes and I wish them many Federation over the past 50 years. mission of future generations to carry on more good laps ahead. the work. My heartiest congratulations again!

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 7 Our Council 2019 TO 2021 Yip Kwan Guan Sean Chan Sik Lung Chian Lit Khoon Zason Francis Ng Yong Kiat Vincent Wong Henry Sim President Vice-President Vice-President Vice-President Vice-President Honorary Secretary Qiu Yunru Richard Lee Yeung Xintian Kim Yong Kang Low Sung Sheng Wilson Quah Tony Tan Assistant Honorary Honorary Treasurer Assistant Honorary Elected Member, Elected Member, Elected Member, Sea Elected Member, Outward Bound The Boys’ Brigade in Secretary Treasurer PAssion WaVe Hawk Sports Club Singapore Singapore

8 FLOW-MAKING WAVES SINCE 1971 Our Council 2021 TO 2023 Yip Kwan Guan Sean Chan Sik Lung Chian Lit Khoon Zason Low Sung Sheng Seetow Cheng Fave Henry Sim President Vice-President Vice-President Vice-President Vice-President Honorary Secretary Francis Ng Yong Kiat Richard Lee Tony Tan Chen Jiemei Sarah Kim Yong Kang Ng Daojia Wilson Quah Assistant Honorary Honorary Treasurer Assistant Honorary Elected Member, NUS Elected Member, Elected Member, Elected Member, Sea Alumni Canoeing Team Outward Bound Singapore Paddle Club Secretary Treasurer Hawk Sports Club Singapore

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 9 Our Staff Chloe Goh Ng Jing Hui Elaine Ong Roseryani Binte Lyu Junlan Teo Ling Xuan Bryce Goh General Manager High Performance Senior HR & Finance Mohammed Jefferi Operation Executive Senior Marketing & Senior Water Activities Business Development Manager Officer Event Executive Management Body Executive Executive Goh Eng Soon Cheong Hui Ling Thomas Ang Balázs Babella Bill Lee Agnes Szabo Gyorgy Lentuloy Senior Programme Senior Operation Operation Executive National Head National Development Assistant Development National Coach (Canoe Sprint - Executive Executive Coach Coach Coach Canadian Canoe) (Canoe Sprint - Kayak) (Canoe Sprint - Kayak) (Canoe Sprint - Kayak)

10 F L O W - M A K I N G W AV E S S I N C E 1 9 7 1 Milestones 1968 1970 1973 1979 Round Singapore Island Canoeing National Junior College is one of the First Inter-School Canoeing The SCF becomes an affiliate to the Expedition in wooden sampans by a first schools to adopt canoeing as an group of Teachers’ Training College extra-curricular activity Championships Singapore National Olympic Council (TTC) Camp instructors led by Robert Tan 1970 1983 1969 First Pesta Sukan Water Carnival The SCF becomes a founding member features Canoe Sprint and Slalom races British soldier John Cork begins of the Asian Canoe Confederation formal canoeing certification courses 1971 in Singapore 1976 1984 The Singapore Canoe Federation (SCF) is formally founded as the national Singapore’s first overseas foray at the The SCF becomes affiliated to the body for canoeing. Its logo “Forward Hong Kong Open Sprint Championship International Canoe Federation Moving” is designed in November 1987 1977 Public Utilities Board (PUB) allows First National Canoeing Championships, the national team to use MacRitchie held in conjunction with Pesta Sukan Reservoir for training three times Sea Carnival, in August a week in preparation for the 14th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 11 1987 2000 2008 2010 Singapore takes part in the 14th SEA Launch of the Personal Skills Star Balázs Babella from Hungary appointed 15-year-old Brandon Ooi and Games for canoeing for the first time, Award Course as the National Coach 16-year-old Wang Nan Feng winning two silver medals and four represent Singapore in Canoe Sprint bronze medals 2003 2008 and Canoe Slalom at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games 1997 Singapore wins two bronze medals at Singapore wins nine gold medals the 2003 SEA Games – a first since the at 5th Southeast Asian Canoeing 2011 David Eason Bellette from Australia 1987 SEA Games Championships with a clean sweep becomes National Coach on a of the Senior Women’s K4 events for Singapore is the first Asian city voluntary basis, the first foreign coach 1000m, 500m and 200m distances to host the International Canoe to coach the national team Federation Canoe Marathon World Championships 1999 Member of Parliament Chan Soo Sen becomes the SCF’s first advisor 1999 2007 Inaugural Canoe Polo Championships Singapore wins two bronze medals at is held at the Singapore Armed Forces the 2007 SEA Games Yacht Club

12 F L O W - M A K I N G W AV E S S I N C E 1 9 7 1 Milestones 2011 2012 2014 2015 Singapore scores first SEA Games gold Geraldine Lee makes history as Coach Balázs Babella becomes the Singapore tops the SEA Games medals in canoeing with Geraldine Lee Singapore’s first kayaker to race in first Canoe Sprint coach to be named topping Women’s K1 500m event and the Olympic Games in London, United Coach of the Year at the Singapore canoeing medal table with seven Golds Stephenie Chen and Suzanne Seah Kingdom Sports Awards winning the Women’s K2 200m race. and five Silvers Five Silvers and three Bronzes were also won at the SEA Games 2013 2014 2015 Stephenie Chen and Suzanne Seah win Paracanoe programme is launched in Canoe Sprint wins first K1 and Women’s K2 200m & Women’s K2 500m events at the 2013 SEA Games. Singapore August with SportCares Foundation C1 medals at the 16th Asian also achieved two silver and two bronze medals at the Games and AWWA Canoeing Championships

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 13 2015 2018 2019 2019 Canoe Polo Senior Women’s Team wins Mervyn Toh wins Singapore’s first National Development Coach for Canoe Polo Senior Women’s Team wins Gold – a first for Singapore – at the 17th canoeing medal at the 2018 Asian Kayak Sprint Bill Lee receives Asian Canoe Polo Championships held Games in Palembang, Indonesia with Singapore Coach Medallion in the High Gold in their category at the 2019 Canoe in Hong Kong his Bronze for the K1 200m event Performance Coach Category at the CoachSG Conference Polo Asian Cup 2015 2020 Kid-in-a-Kayak (KIAK) programme is Sport Singapore forms ActiveSG Canoe launched at MacRitchie Reservoir in Academy and takes over operation of October to lay foundations of Canoe KIAK programme to widen participation Sprint in children from 10 years old base of the sport and to complement high-performance pathway, in 2019 partnership with the SCF The SCF conducts its first SG-Coach 2021 Full-Integrated Canoe Sprint Course The SCF launches its new logo, which was adapted from the winning design of the SCF 50th Anniversary Logo Design Contest

CHAPTER 1 Off the Launching Pad



16 O F F T H E L A U N C H I N G P A D THE PIONEERING YEARS It was the year 1969. A group of TTC Camp instructors went on a Round Singapore Island Canoeing Expedition in wooden British soldier Warrant Officer Class Two sampans led by Robert Tan in 1968. John Cork had just been posted to Singapore to the 33rd Maritime Regiment of the Royal Corps of Transport. Shortly upon his arrival, he was asked if he would run canoeing[1] courses for several local organisations. A former competitive track athlete for the British Army, Cork had switched to canoeing after suffering a bad knee injury. Since qualifying as a canoeing coach in 1968, he had been running courses for the British forces in the United Kingdom (UK). When Cork said “Yes”, he was given eight single canoes, two double canoes, life jackets and paddles to teach his first class at the Vigilante Corps Sea Centre in Pasir Panjang. Among his first students was a group of enthusiastic trainee teachers from the Teachers’ Training College (TTC). The rugged outdoorsmen were proficient with sampans, having completed a round-island expedition in them. [1] It should be noted that in the 1970s, the term “canoe” was used to refer to both types of canoes used in recreation and sport, i.e., for “kayaks” and “canoes”. The International Canoe Federation defines a kayak as a craft in which the seated paddler uses a double-bladed paddle to pull the blade through the water on alternate sides to move forward. It defines a canoe as a craft in which a paddler kneels and uses a single-bladed paddle to propel the boat forward. When John Cork used the term “canoes” in his notes, he was referring to kayaks. The canoe discipline was briefly introduced around the 1980s when a canoe was brought into Singapore, but it only gained more traction when it was revived in 2005.

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 17 Teachers’ Training College (TTC) pioneer batch of canoeing instructors (John Cork standing 6th from the left, Wilfred James standing 5th from the left).

18 O F F T H E L A U N C H I N G P A D But they were new to the modern fibreglass canoes – having only had a brief encounter with them in Malaysia once. This would be their first formal training to handle the modern craft and be trained as the TTC’s pioneer batch of canoeing instructors. Under Cork’s guidance, the 19- and 20-year-olds progressed rapidly over six sessions – attaining the Novice, Proficiency and then Advanced Proficiency certificates issued by the British Canoe Union. At the same time, many others from organisations such as the Vigilante Corps, People’s Association, Outward Bound School and the Boy Scouts, among others, also earned their badges. Cork’s efforts contributed to a groundswell of interest in canoeing among the young people – laying the groundwork for Singapore’s canoeing fraternity. Instructor's Award certificate in 1974, contributed by Goh Ek Piang, and a sample of the Proficiency Award.

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 19 A group of TTC Camp instructors went on a Round Singapore Island Canoeing Expedition in wooden sampans led by Robert Tan in 1968. Paddlers line up for a race at the 1971 National Junior College Canoeing Paddlers on the National Junior College Round Singapore Island Carnival in MacRitchie Reservoir. Expedition, held in 1972.

20 O F F T H E L A U N C H I N G P A D A GATHERING MOMENTUM The above photos are of the 1971 National Junior College Canoeing Pesta Sukan event. There was a wave of canoeing activities as the sport was adopted rapidly. Canoeing clubs sprung up, sea expeditions were organised, and the first races won in 1970 at the First Pesta Sukan Water Carnival at MacRitchie Reservoir. Clubs ran their own courses and activities, while schools adopted canoeing as an extra-curricular activity. Soon, there was a suggestion to set up a body to promote canoeing as a national sport, streamline training and activities, and raise standards by organising more competitive races. The first meetings to discuss the setting up of such an entity took place in 1970 at the basement of the TTC on Paterson Road, which various local organisations as well as Cork attended. The energy was palpable as the first pro tem committee members – mostly in their 20s – debated passionately over issues, from the name of the body to its mandate and constitution. Finally, in March 1971, the Singapore Canoe Federation (SCF) was formally registered, and its first Executive Committee elected in September. The committee members represented a wide range of organisations, including the Combined Schools, TTC, Public Utilities Board (PUB), Vigilante Corps, YMCA, Maritime Command and the Singapore Life Guard Corps.

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 21 1972 National Junior College As set out in the constitution, the Canoeing Carnival - Canoeing Federation would “advance, promote, Championships at JSC (Junior organise, control and safeguard” the sport Sailing Club) - The set-up of the and represent Singapore in all matters race lines. pertaining to canoeing, locally and abroad. 1972 National Junior College Canoeing Carnival - Canoeing Championships at JSC (Junior Sailing Club). Barely off the launching pad, the nascent Federation, ran by volunteers, had its hands full. Not only did it have to coordinate the country’s canoeing calendar, it had to ramp up the supply of instructors to meet the growing demand for canoeing courses. Racing against time, the committee members worked with Cork to establish guidelines and criteria for Singapore’s first proficiency and coaching awards before he was posted back to the UK in 1971. By 1979, the Federation was successfully affiliated to the Singapore National Olympic Council, then the International Canoe Federation in 1984. Aspiring paddlers could now set their sights much further to take on international championships, bringing Singapore’s canoeing to the next level.

22 O F F T H E L A U N C H I N G PA D FROM SAMPAN TO CANOE Wilfred James, 79, was among the first got to bail water out. But when you Wilfred James, a founding member and Honorary Secretary of the to be certified in canoeing by John capsize, you have to keep rocking the Federation from 1971 to 1976. Cork in the late 1960s. He recounts the boat until it is empty – at least most of experience of learning to use the modern the water gone – then you do the rest \"The sampans were made of solid wood. craft as a 26-year-old teacher. by scooping. Some of us used milk tins, Whenever you capsized, you really had others used coconut shells – that was to turn your boat and rock it for all the “There were six sessions (for the course), the only way to get water out fast. I had water to come out ...\" and they were rigorous. John was very to use my hands when I first started, it patient because all of us were very raw was horrible. and we would be making mistakes. The whole lot of us (from TTC) were raised in The blades (of the sampan’s oars) were the sea on sampans, not canoes. It was a very narrow – so you can imagine the different craft all together. amount of effort you had to put in just to make the craft move itself. And then, the The sampans were made of solid wood. movement on the water itself – wow, [the Whenever you capsized, you really had canoe] was literally gliding you know, to turn your boat and rock it for all the compared to the sampan when you really water to come out and jump in again. In had to go according to your strength.” canoeing, you wear your life vest and float very leisurely, and if you have to re- After becoming a certified canoeing establish your craft, all you need to do is instructor, James continued to be an to get over it, do your rocking, one side or active member of the nascent canoeing another, and you get into your craft again. fraternity. He became a founding member of the Federation in 1971, taking Sampans are all open and the water gets on the role of Honorary Secretary. in so easily, so every now and then, you

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 23 A NOD TO OUR PAST AND A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE In celebration of the SCF’s 50th anniversary, the new SCF logo was officially launched and the old SCF logo was retired on 19 July 2021. The new logo was adapted from the winning design of the SCF 50th anniversary logo design contest, with a few minor modifications. The Old Logo The SCF logo was designed in 1971 by Wilfred James, the Federation’s first Secretary. Originally drawn by hand, the logo shows a kayaker stretching fully forward as he paddles – determined to speed ahead, with no question of stopping or going back. This embodied the Federation’s aspiration to be “forward moving”. When the concept was approved by the Federation’s first Executive Committee, the sketch was finalised by a professional artist and was in use until July 2021. The New Logo Fundamentally, the new logo, designed by Erasmus Yeo, a student from Hwa Chong Institution and a member of its kayaking team, pays homage to the original logo by drawing inspiration from it. Through the use of similar colours and elements, the new logo is sufficiently reminiscent of the original, and will be easily recognisable by the public as being associated with the Federation. Furthermore, to emphasise inclusivity and relevance to the current and future canoeing scene in Singapore, a canoe paddler was introduced alongside the kayak paddler from the original logo. This reflects the Federation’s aspirations and progressive efforts to support all canoeing disciplines (which also include Canoe Sport, Canoe Polo and Paracanoe) in Singapore. The uniform waves from the original logo have also been transformed into a dynamic series of tides, which represents the Federation’s determination to overcome the choppiest of waters, and pursuit for excellence by achieving countless milestones since their founding. This is symbolic of the SCF’s mission - “towards excellence in canoeing”.

24 O F F T H E L A U N C H I N G P A D FEATURE: CANOE SPORT Canoe Sport is Singapore’s oldest canoeing discipline. The earliest photographic records from the National Archives depict members of the Tengah Canoe Expedition Club (part of the Royal Air Force Seletar Association) using wooden canoes in Malaya in 1961. In the 1960s, local boats known as sampans were used by the Outward Bound School for their adventure programmes. It was not until 1969 that modern crafts were introduced by the British Army, which also sponsored canoeing courses for local organisations such as the People’s Association and the Vigilante Corps. The 1970s saw a surge in the sport’s popularity. Organisations like the YMCA, Singapore Armed Forces, Life Guard Corps and People’s Association set up canoeing clubs, while more schools introduced canoeing as an extra-curricular activity. Uniformed groups such as the National Police Cadet Corps and Scouts included canoeing as a key feature of their activities, organising sea and round-island expeditions. Participants on a double sit-on-top kayak on a Kayaking Expedition to Flyer.

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 25 To promote canoeing to the masses, the Federation launched a coaching course for would-be enthusiasts in 1979. The course, which was split into three sections, covered theoretical and practical aspects of canoeing. Participants had to log 60 hours of sea time before they could sit for the final examination. In 2001, the Federation launched its Personal Skills Star Award Course – from the 1-Star to introduce beginners to Canoe Sport in simple coastal waters, to the advanced 4- and 5-Star awards that prepare participants for more challenging conditions in the sea and open waters. Today, the Federation offers many options to enjoy Canoe Sport, from the Junior Power Award programme, a short course tailored for young children, to the Corporate Kayaking programme, a team- building experience for organisations. Group photo of 1-Star Course held at Marina Reservoir.

26 O F F T H E L A U N C H I N G P A D Recreational coach leading participants of a Kayaking Orientation Programme at Marina Reservoir. GetActive! Singapore Pesta Sukan 2019 Canoe Sprint, SUP & Paracanoe Race - Paddlers competing in Master Men Single SOT (sit-on-top kayak) race. Kayaking Expedition to Flyer at Marina Reservoir.

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 27 FEATURE: CANOE SPRINT Today, Canoe Sprint is defined as a sport in which athletes race canoes or kayaks on a flatwater course. In a canoe, paddlers use a single-bladed paddle in high-kneel position whereas in a kayak, paddlers use a double-bladed paddle in a seated position. However, in the 1970s, most Canoe Sprint races in Singapore were held in the sea due to the lack of suitable rivers or lakes. Paddlers used sturdy fibreglass “tourer” single- and double-seater kayaks that were suited for seafaring conditions. It was from these local races and qualifying tests that the Federation talent-spotted promising paddlers. In 1976, Kamis Morshib and Tay Lin Teck represented Singapore for the first time overseas – taking part in the Hong Kong Open Sprint Championships. Kayakers and canoeists competing at the 2020 Singapore Canoe Marathon, held at the Marina Reservoir.

28 O F F T H E L A U N C H I N G P A D Since then, Singapore’s National Today, the foundations of Canoe Canoe/Kayak Sprint Team has gone Sprint in young paddlers are laid on to represent Singapore at regional through the combined efforts of and international competitions, schools that have canoeing as a including major multi-sport events co-curricular activity and such as the Southeast Asian (SEA) Singapore’s ActiveSG Canoe Games, the Asian Games and the Academy, which was established Olympic Games, and canoe-specific under the auspices of Sport events such as the Southeast Asian Singapore in 2020. Canoe Sprint Championships, the Asian Canoeing Championships and The Academy, which runs Canoe Sprint the World Championships. related programmes for children of primary school age (12 and under), Athletes qualify to join the national took over the operations of the team based on selection time trials Federation’s successful Kid-in-a-Kayak and results at the national Canoe (KIAK) programme that was set up Sprint events, with recommendations in 2015. from the national coaches. In recent years, Singapore paddlers have performed well at regional games, winning five Golds and seven Silvers at the 2015 SEA Games, and the first ever Asian Canoe Sprint medal, a bronze, at the 2018 Asian Games. Athletes on podium at the 2015 SEA Games held in Singapore. From left to right: Front row: Stephenie Chen, Suzanne Seah Middle row: Geraldine Lee, Soh Sze Ying Back row: Sarah Chen, Annabelle Ng

Mervyn Toh is the first Singapore kayaker to medal at the Asian Games in 2018, held in Palembang, Indonesia.

30 O F F T H E L A U N C H I N G P A D Singapore Women’s K4 team compete at the finals of 2018 Asian Games Women's K4 500m. Mervyn Toh wins the first Asian Games medal (bronze) at the 2018 Asian Games. Lucas Teo and Brandon Ooi compete at the heats of 2018 Asian Games Men's K2 1000m.

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 31 Men’s K4 team at the 2019 National Junior Canoe Sprint Championships, held at the MacRitchie Reservoir. C1 paddlers at the 2019 National Junior Canoe Sprint Championships. K1 paddlers preparing for start of race at the 2017 National Canoe Sprint Championships, held at the MacRitchie Reservoir.

CHAPTER 2 Finding Its Rhythm



34 F IND IN G I T S R H Y T HM NAVIGATING GROWING PAINS After a strong start in 1971, the Federation began to experience headwinds in the mid-1970s as volunteers’ interest and energies flagged. Concerned members from the SCF and eight affiliates gathered for an Extraordinary General Meeting in August 1976 to discuss its fate. Despite describing the Federation as “becoming extinct”, those present concluded that the Federation should not be dissolved. They resolved to revive the SCF and managed to recruit volunteers who were elected to form the new Council at the Annual General Meeting a month later. The fresh blood and renewed commitment Group photo of national athletes at the 1978 Hong Kong Sprint Championship. from many affiliates propelled the SCF into action again. That year, they sent two kayakers to compete at the Hong Kong Open Sprint Championship – the first time Singapore was represented at an overseas competition for the sport. Competing against 20 teams from the valiantly to win a silver medal in the T1 competitive canoeing. The next year, region, Kamis Morshib from the Public 500m and a bronze medal in the T1 1000m, Singapore returned to Hong Kong and Utilities Board Recreational Club and Tay respectively. It was a significant feat bagged an impressive haul of four gold Lin Teck from the Vigilante Corps fought considering how new Singapore was to and one silver medals.

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 35 TOUGH LESSONS BEHIND THE SCENES Men’s K4 team at the 1981 East Asia Regatta held in Nagoya, Japan. But behind the triumphant headlines were “national” team just two months before a Singapore achieves a bronze medal in the Men's K4 500m event at the 1981 East Asia Regatta. untold challenges. The SCF sorely lacked major meet to begin intensive training. The funds and depended on sponsors to go athletes thus relied on the regular training overseas. In the inaugural Hong Kong with their clubs more so than the sporadic outing, Sin Chew Jit Poh sponsored the centralised training under the fledging team while the Vigilante Corps covered the Federation’s auspices. expenses of the team manager and coach, Bertie Koh, who was the officer in charge There was also the learning curve to of canoeing with its marine unit. contend with — every race presented unfamiliar routes and conditions, even the Funding for overseas competitions would types of canoes provided by organisers. For continue to be an issue for years. If the instance, in the Federation’s first overseas Federation and the athletes failed to raise competition outside Asia, the British Canoe enough funds, Singapore had to either Union’s 1979 International Canoeing Regatta drop out of races or trim the team, severely in Nottingham, United Kingdom, the limiting opportunities to chalk up valuable Federation selected two top male athletes competitive experience. but both were eliminated in the heats of the event. They had been training locally in A newspaper report in 1984, for instance, crafts that were completely different from highlighted how a team of 11 had been the racing kayaks used at the regatta and training hard for the inaugural Asian Canoe found that their paddling techniques were Confederation Championships but were unsuited for racing kayaks. unsure if they could actually go as the SCF had run out of funds by then. It read: “The Canoe Both the SCF officials and the athletes Federation receives $3,000 each year from were also wet behind the ears when it the Singapore Sports Council. But the coffers came to being national representatives, are empty now, after the two overseas trips so matters such as gift exchange protocols this year.” Uncertainty was the norm. were completely new to them. Funding also impacted how much training Still, the Federation pressed on, scraping Singapore athletes received. It was not together funds for regular overseas unusual then to assemble an ad hoc competitions from 1976 to the early 1990s.

36 F I N D I N G I T S R H Y T H M GROWING IN PRESENCE LOCALLY Even as the SCF forayed overseas, it did not neglect the local scene. To drum up excitement for canoeing, a sub-committee was formed to organise the inaugural National Canoeing Championships, held in conjunction with the Pesta Sukan Games, in August 1977. 1984 National Canoeing Championships - Men’s Champion, Ismail Tahir, with his racing boat. 1978 Booklet for 2nd National Canoeing The Championships would include required participants to obtain the SCF’s Games, Asian Games and the Southeast Championships held in conjunction with categories such as the Round Pulau Ubin proficiency certificates before joining in Asian (SEA) Games. Pesta Sukan. Marathon for men, 500m and 1000m races, and began to coordinate activities sprint races for men and women, as well across the canoeing affiliates to ensure In a 29 March 1979 article, the New Nation as a mixed Novelty Race. Again, favours there would be continuous year-round reported: “The SCF is now the only had to be sought — from borrowing activities in Singapore. parent body for all canoeing activities canoes to recruiting volunteer race in Singapore and solely responsible for officials — and funds had to be raised Its efforts were rewarded when the conducting courses, tests and issuing to purchase trophies and other Federation became an affiliate to the of certificates to successful paraphernalia to conduct the races. Singapore National Olympic Council candidates”. It noted that canoeing in 1979. clubs used to run their own courses Quickly, the SCF began to assert itself but “with the new-found dynamic SCF, as the local authority for canoeing. It This milestone accorded official organisation of all activities and training stirred up excitement when it invited recognition to the SCF as the controlling will be streamlined towards promotion the director of coaching from the body for canoeing in Singapore, enabling of the sport.” British Canoe Union to train coaches, it to represent the country at all official established a new coaching curriculum, international events like the Olympic

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 37 Team photo at the Inaugural Asian Canoeing Championships in Hong Kong in 1984. When the Federation entered the 1980s, bronze amidst stiff competition against it had thus found a rhythm with an Asia’s best. These included a silver from National athletes at airport heading for the Inaugural Asian Canoeing Championships in established canoeing curriculum, an annual a memorable Men’s K4 race where the Hong Kong in 1984. national championships, and an increasing Singapore crew beat Japan to come in number of overseas participations that second behind China. This feat, which yielded podium placings. remains Singapore’s best performance at Asian level in a kayak event, drew With the confidence accrued from regional praise from the Chinese and Japanese interactions, the Federation became a for “vast improvement” in Singapore’s founding member of the Asian Canoe kayak performances. This demonstrated Confederation (ACC) in 1983. A year later that Singapore had the potential to hold in 1984, the Federation was admitted its own in Asia. into the International Canoe Federation (ICF), which started in Copenhagen, A team of seven paddlers had also earlier Denmark in 1924 as the Internationale competed at the Indonesian Invitational Repräsentantenschaft Kanusport before Canoe Regatta and clinched six gold becoming the ICF in 1946. medals in all the events they competed in. Despite the landslide victory, the KEEPING UP WITH Federation cautiously noted the “very THE NEIGHBOURS narrow” winning margins and called for an upgraded training programme. 1984 was also a high water mark in the This observation would prove to Federation’s history. In November that year be painfully prescient. As more the Federation sent a team of six men and neighbouring countries joined the six women to participate in the inaugural sport and aggressively developed their Asian Canoeing Championships in Hong paddling programmes, Singapore found Kong. While China dominated the kayak it harder to clinch top spots with the events and Indonesia the tourer events, waning level of support and training its the team returned with four silvers and a athletes received.

38 F I N D I N G I T S R H Y T H M In 1987, Singapore’s maiden outing at the Although the SSC built five canoe racks The lack of financial and moral support that by 1991, their energy had flagged yet 14th SEA Games for canoeing yielded two at the Kallang Basin Water Centre for the for athletes to train full-time for any again and soon, the Federation began to silvers and four bronzes while the host SCF and its affiliates to store canoes in period hindered attempts to gain slip into the doldrums. country, Indonesia, swept all the gold 1988, this remained inadequate for training superiority on the waters. The athletes medals for the 11 events. Post-mortem at the national level. who were working had to take no-pay Canoeing activities carried on as usual notes highlighted that even though the leave from their jobs to compete. Even with the other affiliates. But as the Singapore team had been granted access FACING AN the national coach himself had to juggle years went by, it became impossible to MacRitchie Reservoir to train three EXISTENTIAL CRISIS work commitments and the SCF had to to ignore the void resulting from the times a week, their one and half months rope in former athletes to assist with SCF’s dormancy. By the mid-1990s, it of training before the Games paled in In 1990, Singapore had a poor showing coaching. had stopped organising local canoeing comparison to the Indonesians’ nine- at the Asian Games (Asiad) in Beijing, championships and sending athletes for months of intensive training. Despite China, where canoeing made its debut. In addition, the SCF still had not secured international competitions altogether, joining international races only in 1984, Despite efforts to step up the training permission to conduct centralised with the last male athletes having the Indonesians were now consistently programme and to recruit athletes who training at a permanent location. represented Singapore at the 1993 Asian outperforming Singapore athletes. could commit more time to the sport, Permission to train at MacRitchie Canoeing Championships in Hiroshima, all four members of the men’s team Reservoir was still on an ad hoc basis. Japan, and the last female athletes In a submission paper to the Singapore failed to reach the finals while the two Not having a base meant that the SCF — having represented Singapore at the Sports Council (SSC), now known as Sport women representatives only managed although representing Singapore at the 1990 Asiad. Singapore, the Federation pinned the poor a fifth placing for the K2 500m race. international level — could not own any performance on the lack of permanent After the Asiad, the Federation mounted boats and had to go “begging for loans This prompted concerned voices among training facilities and proper equipment Asian campaigns at the 1991 and 1993 of canoes for training purposes”, said the canoeing fraternity to grow louder, storage to carry out training programmes Asian Canoeing Championships in Otsu Mohamed Abdullah, President of the SCF leading to suggestions for another effectively. It sought permission to use and Hiroshima, Japan, the next major from 1981 to 1999. association to take over the helm if the Seletar Reservoir, then in early stages competitions in Asia (after 1987, canoeing needed. The fate of the SCF hung in the of development, as its permanent training was not to be seen again at the SEA Games It would not be an exaggeration to balance — would it be able to overcome ground. The SCF would continue to make until a decade later). These, however, say that the volunteers running the its lethargy to revive itself and rekindle repeated appeals to have a centralised proved also to be barren. Federation were by then frustrated and the zeitgeist and energy of the 1970s training facility well into the 1990s. experiencing burn-out. And it seemed and 1980s?

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 39 National athletes training for the 1st Indonesian Championships in 1985. 1989 National Canoeing Championships - National athlete Lee Lai Bay at the award ceremony. The above two photos are of the national athletes at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, China.

. FINDING ITS RHYTHM 40 A PIONEERING CHAMPION Lee Lai Bay was one of Singapore’s Despite her employer’s lack of support, every morning, so I did my own weight first professional female lifeguards in she was determined to represent training. The only chance to paddle was 1977. As a Singapore Life Guard Corps Singapore even if the week’s absence on Sundays and public holidays. Other volunteer, the 18-year-old helped out from work would be frowned upon. than that, there was no chance to go out at Changi Point on Sundays and public to sea on your own.\" holidays. That year, the Life Guard “It was my first trip overseas. The Corps, an affiliate of the SCF, was just weather was cool. I spoke Cantonese “Nobody told you what was important beginning to use fibreglass canoes as to the canoeists in Hong Kong and – the only important thing was to rescue vessels. made friends there. Everything was practise to perfection, especially for new to me.\" sea competitions. The canoes had no “I went down and saw the canoes, rudders; we had to look at tides, currents, tried them and from there on I started “Youngsters now have training camps winds, and the channel at Changi was to use them. There was no ‘course’ – and gym. We didn’t – everything was on very busy with ships and tugboats.” everything we learnt by ourselves and your own. I told myself I needed to train from the seniors,” she recounts. Lee Lai Bay, one of the top female canoeing athletes “Nobody told you what was important in the 1970s and 1980s. Discovering her passion and flair – the only important thing was to for the sport, Lee practised without practise to perfection, especially for fail weekly. A year later, she was sea competitions.\" selected to represent Singapore for the Hong Kong Sprint Championship. “After we were selected, we didn’t have much time for proper training, we had … no best canoeists to advise us how to compete overseas.”

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 41 Lee Lai Bay at the 2nd Asian Canoeing Championships in China, with one of the officials from Hong Kong. Often, she raced against the male “Nobody taught us how to train on a K1. lifeguards from Changi beach to Frog I capsized many times in the sea and Lee Lai Bay training Island (Pulau Sekudu) and back, taking asked my Hong Kong friends for help. at Changi. about 15 minutes each time. Her hard They sent me videotapes and I watched work paid off: when she returned to them to learn how to use the new kayak.” Hong Kong in 1980, she won Singapore’s only gold medal at the Asian Invitation Through sheer grit and passion for the Championships for the T1 500m race. sport, Lee mastered the K1 and went on to clinch medals at local and overseas “I knew the Chinese paddlers had won all competitions well into the 1980s, the other races. The Chinese girls were representing Singapore for some 10 so tall, I was 157cm to their 170 cm. But I years. Considered one of the country’s had no pressure. At Repulse Bay, there top women paddlers at the time, she were no lanes – only two points, start and also assisted in coaching national end. So you must be really focused for the squads and represented the Life Guard 500m. There was no chance to think, you Corps on the SCF Council in the 1980s. just go all out. \" Today, Lee still paddles for leisure and “When I race, I only look in front, I don’t works part-time at the Paddle Lodge look to see who is beside me, I just go. at MacRitchie Reservoir where she That’s my strategy.” is never far from the sport she fell in love with 50 years ago. At the 1980 meet, Lee saw that she needed a better craft as her competitors were already using racing kayaks. There, in Hong Kong, she bought her own kayak and shipped it back home.

Players reach for possession of the ball at GetActive! Singapore Pesta Sukan 2019 Canoe Polo Championships. FEATURE: CANOE POLO Canoe Polo is an exciting and high- In 2019, Singapore’s Canoe Polo Singapore Women’s Team energy hybrid sport that marries kayaking Senior Women’s Team won the brings home Gold from with water polo. This fast-paced sport gold medal in the Senior Women’s the 2019 Canoe Polo Asian is played by two teams of five players category at the Canoe Polo Asian Cup in Deqing, China. over two halves of 10 minutes with the Cup. Their road to the championship aim of scoring by shooting a ball through title saw them winning all their The Senior Women's Team the opposing team’s goal frame, which is matches, overcoming opponents players are (from 2nd to suspended two metres above the water from China, the Hong Kong Special the left and 3rd to the surface. The team that scores the most Administrative Region, Iran, Japan right): Ng Hui Xuan, Teo goals at the end of the game wins. and Chinese Taipei. Yu Qi Patricia, Lim Jia Yi, Wong Yun Ting Joyce, Leow Fang Hui, Ong Shu Wen, Low Weining Kasxier, Tan Li Ling.

SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATION 43 Scoring a goal at the 2016 National Canoe Polo Championships. Canoe Polo was first introduced in 1981. However, a lack of suitable facilities and Canoe Sprint athletes doubling up as Canoe a ban of the sport at public pools made Polo players at the 1981 East Asia Regatta, held it impossible to promote the sport to in Nagoya, Japan. the general population. But Canoe Polo managed to gain a small following at tertiary institutions that had their own pools; pioneer teams were formed at the Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the National University of Singapore in the 1980s. However, competitions were limited to those within the institutions, with occasional inter-institution friendlies. At the national level, there was little development in the discipline for many years, until the SCF formed a sub- committee in June 1998 to re-introduce the sport to Singapore. This was quickly followed by the inaugural National Canoe Polo Championships in July 1999. From then on, the discipline’s popularity has grown, especially among schools, polytechnics and universities. Today, there are typically more than 40 teams participating in the annual competition.

CHAPTER 3 A New Wave Of Optimism



46 A N E W WAV E O F O P T I M I S M MAKING A COMEBACK For the second time in its history, the The meeting was pivotal: it led to a Participants waiting for the races to start at the 2001 National Long Distance Championships (Round Pulau Ubin). Federation’s fate looked grim in the mid- one-time donation of $50,000 from the 1990s. But as concerns from the canoeing Singapore Pools and substantial increase community grew louder with news that in yearly funding from the SSC, the grant canoeing would make a comeback in the of permission for the Federation to use 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, a group Pandan Reservoir for competition and of volunteers mustered a desperate bid to training “for the time being”, and storage resuscitate the SCF. facilities for kayaks at the reservoir on the premises of the Republic of Singapore Digging in their heels, they formed an Yacht Club. In return, the SSC and the ad hoc committee comprising the SCF’s SNOC expected the Federation to clear its President and five representatives from accounts and call for an Annual General its affiliates to get the house in order and Meeting (AGM), which eventually happened reorganise the Federation. The ad hoc in August 1997 and saw the election of a committee then met with the Singapore new Council. Sports Council (SSC) and the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) on 27 This shot in the arm gave the Federation February 1997. the financial muscle to buy boats and run athlete training programmes with less The Federation sorely needed its own worries. The SCF also used the funds to boats, a centralised training venue and invigorate the canoeing scene – with the storage facilities for equipment and boats, eventual return of the Round Pulau Ubin among other things, they told the SSC and Championship (jointly organised with SNOC. This was the linchpin that would the Pasir Ris Sea Sports Club and the enable the SCF to begin building a robust People’s Association Adventure Centre) ecosystem for paddlers. in June 1998 and the National Canoeing Championships a month later. Prize presentation at the 1999 National Canoeing Participants racing at the 2001 National Long Distance Championships (Round Pulau Ubin). Championships (Round Pulau Ubin).