Team Sunday Dragons

I thought this year the logo quite nice....

Come on, Sunday Dragons!

Just as everybody is thinking that the Sunday Dragons are lying low and no longer a force to fear in the local dragonboating circuit.....

We are back!

Look forward to lots of splashing action in 2011!

Sunday Dragons, Sa!

We are so proud of you, captain!

Sunday Dragons - Then and Now

2007

2010

Gosh....we never age at all....exercise makes you look forever young...haha...

Sunday Dragons - 3 years old!

We have come a long way since the team was officially formed on 15 July 2007. In the past 3 years, we have made many great friends and bonded through the 1 thing that we all enjoy doing - dragon boating.

Here's a sincere and big thank you to all who made Sunday Dragons possible in one way or another!

Special appreciation to:

Zhenyi, who patiently and slowly corrected our strokes and inducted us into dragon boating during our humble beginnings….

Our dearest coach Hak Loon who brought us this far...

Last but not least, who can forget the main slave driver behind the team, Choon Kiat, without him and his passion; we can never be where we are today….


SAVA Sprints International III, September 2007
25th Singapore River Regatta, November 2007
MR500, March 2008
North East Dragonboat Championship 2008, April 2008
Singapore Dragonboat Festival 2008, June 2008
26th Singapore River Regatta, November 2008
PA Paddle Championship 2009, April 2009
Singapore Dragonboat Festival 2009, June 2009
27th Singapore River Regatta, November 2009
PA Paddle Championship 2010, April 2010
Singapore Dragonboat Festival 2010, July 2010

And numerous Sunday mornings….

The Power of Sunday Dragons Girls...

Scared yet?

Tell you a secret: This is not our full strength....

Featured Rower of the Month - Choon Kiat!

It's July friends! As we prepare for the most demanding race of the local dragonboat racing calendar, we decided to know more about our beloved captain, Choon Kiat!

What does Sunday Dragons mean to you?
That is everyting that is related to largonboat. Sunday Dragons is so important to me that if I recalled correctly, I have yet to miss training other than work. I even plan my holidays around training & races. Haha. (yes lah sibeh on....the other person who never misses training is like....Hak Loon lor....)

Now that you are part of the National team training squad, how many minutes do you exercise every week?
err... lost count. haha. more than i would like. (tsk. anyway, in order to reap health benefits, one should clock a minimum of 150 mins of moderate intensity physical activity every week....75 mins per week if you do vigorous intensity...dragonboat is vigorous heheh...for weight loss, 250-300 mins of moderate intensity per week please....of course, diet plays a part too...anything more than 300 mins per week may not work so well...cos research shows that some people start to eat more when they exercise more...)

Do you have days when you don't feel like training? How do you overcome that?

It is macham everyday lor. Then i think of Cindy & Chung Tai then I noe I cannot be like them. hahahaha. (I see that these 2 people are quite impactful to your life....anything to say, you 2?)

Why did you pick up dragonboating? Why not kickboxing, bodybuilding, tennis or some other team sport?
Cuz it is a team sport. luve the adrenaline of crossing the finishing line. Freaking high lor! enjoy every single second every1 tat sits on the boat is working 2wards a single goal. (I'm sure many of us feel the same about dragonboat! that's why we are all part of the team mah...)

Now that dragonboating is so close to you, what will your life be like without it?

haha. err... i oso dun noe leh. any1 got someting to intro boh? (still dragomboating!)

Who is your best friend? If it's Anson, why?

The pig is juz my bitch. Haha. my bestest fre is my wife aka my auntie. she is super supportive of everyting i do. i see more of my team mates than i see her. (so sweet.....)

Of all your boyfriends (Chung Tai, Kaiming, Anson, Alvin), who is most unforgettable? Why?

Tis 1 easy. Chung Tai! cuz he neber fail to fail me. now i noe let's do it = to 1 session out of 10. haha. (err....ok....Chung Tai again...)

What do you do to relax or have fun?

err... actually training with sunday dragons is really bery relaxing & fun. at least for me lor. haha. (I bet you find it most fun when the rest of us look like we are going to die haha!)

What is your proudest moment so far?

err...with sunday dragons is last yr when we did well for the PA paddle championship. That moment I noe we can race with the best if we want to but sadly, most of the time we chose to relax one corner onli. (Sunday Dragons Sa!)

As the founder & captain of Sunday Dragons, anything to say to the rest of the team?

err... i am juz 1 of the many that started the team lah. hope every1 will continue the sport even if Sunday Dragons is no longer ard. (Yep, after all we made many good friends and felt all the benefits from the sport!)

Tell us something about you that few people know.
err... i really hate exercising. (Yea right....*roll my eyes*)

Describe yourself in less than 10 words!
i live to eat! (This is true! heheh...)

It's Peiyi!

Alright! Nobody got it right this time...heheh....actually, on a closer look...yes, it's Peiyi lah...

Guess Who? VI

Hello folks! It has been quite some time since the last baby photo was uploaded...alright, here's another one....keep guessing!

Life is.....not so good

2007

2008

2009

2010

Featured Rowers of the Month - The Nanas!

This month, we feature our most committed rowers: Robin and Cynthiaa! They are valuable assets to the team, bringing with them life experiences, sagely advice, timely encouragement, laughter, optimism and chilled 100+! Their day jobs are a façade. In reality, Cynthiaa documents Sunday Dragons life with her trusty camera while Robin comments on the local dragonboat scene.

How long have the both of you been on the team and what made you join us?
Robin: After I knew MADragons (MA stands for Mediacorp Team A- anyway we only had team A as there were always not enough rowers during the 3 years / I’m still very proud that I was the one who came up with the team name) was going defunct 2 years back, I wanted to join Seahawk as my friend Ah Hock is there and there are enough old seahum in the team so I could join them for veteran races when I reach 40. However I always wanted to be coached by Hak Loon (but not anymore when my name was called repeatedly by him like a recorder that won't stop in every training) and also I wanted to introduce Cynthiaa to db (cos she always complained I spent too much time on db) so I went around sourcing for a leisure team as her fitness wasn't there yet for db. Bingo when on a Sunday after my training I spotted Cindy going for training and Hak Loon was the coach! Much later after I joined the team for the 1st training did I realise that I was totally misled by Cindy!

Cynthiaa: Since 4 Jan 09 (18 months). Robin's passion for DB has definitely made an impact on me (even when he worked the night-shift in his previous job, he still went for training... and DB to him was more important than ermm, "ME"). Fact is I wanted to spend more time with my busy hubby & keep Fit.

(Yep, our most committed rowers were attracted by our fantastic coach. A loss for Seahawk and a coup for Sunday Dragons!)

Both of you have definitely made a huge and positive impact on the team. Especially for Cynthia, from the demure wife and newbie rower to the super fit 21km finisher and number one female warrior of Sunday Dragons! How did you do that?
Robin: The only 'impact' I made was sharing the welfare drinks with others but recently, only a few want to drink the ice-cold 100+ as they are scared of getting a scolding by Hak Loon.

Cynthiaa: I always remember how the team moltivated me (especially CK, Summer, Georgin, FJ, Kennix & Janus… Also Robin lah) and I didn't want to let them down. Also, after joining DB, I hardly visited the clinic (touchwood)… I didn't train specially for the 21km run but did manage to run home from office occasionally, which saved me time, $$… and I still intend to do that until I quit the job. Anyone can do 21km... You can walk and run... hahaha.

(If we did a poll, we’re sure the drinks will be voted the most popular welfare initiative. Maybe Hak Loon is the only one on the boat who has never taken a sip… Thanks for the impressive sales pitch for DB and keeping fit, Cynthiaa!)

How do the both of you maintain your motivation and passion for dragonboat?
Robin: We don't! We are constantly worried that our names will be called in the boat and that already enveloped us with fear to row better.

Cynthiaa: I believe both of us wanted to avoid our names being called during training :P, so we always exchange tips & look out for each others’ flaws during & after trainings… we love talking about DB stuff together...and have made many good DB friends along the way.

(Once again, we see the influence of our coach, haha! Seriously though, we see the pay-offs of your diligent attitude in your rowing!)

What are some changes you noticed in yourself and your other half since joining Sunday Dragons?
Robin: Cynthiaa had to buy new clothes since picking up DB but heng she didn’t ask me to pay. Since I joined SD, I became haolian as I realised many younger peers look older than me.

Cynthiaa: Nothing much ... only realised that Robin is more lame than I thought he was. At times, I really hope he hits the right note at the right time… (And he is harmless, really.)

(Yes, guys in the boat, Robin is referring to YOU. Cynthiaa, we know Robin is humless, since he joined SD and not Seahawk, where the seahums are.)

This question is for Robin: where do you get your brand of humour from?
Robin: It is inherent and can't be replicated. Requires an IQ level of 120 to constantly churn out thought-provoking and highly intelligent jokes. Ok lah, I admit that many a times my jokes were so lame that kids also won't laugh. The fact is, I joke according to the other party's level of understanding.

Cynthiaa: 吴宗宪 (who else?)

(!! You pitch your jokes according the other party’s level of understanding, and we get lame jokes…what are you trying to say about us?? Now that you’ve said it, Cynthiaa…)

And for Cynthiaa: how do you tolerate Robin's humour? How would you describe his sense of humour?
Robin: We brainstorm jokes for the following week at home.

Cynthiaa: I'm a good wife, I just laugh along (sometimes I do roll my eye balls). I've been hearing his jokes for the past 15 years... and surprisingly I still get tickled.

(And Robin tries to implicate, oops, credit, his wife. Cynthiaa stands by her man’s humour. Altogether now: AWWW…)

What does "nana" really mean and where is it from (like banana? or pineapple?)?
Robin: Nana is 7 in Japanese and knowledge in Sanskrit but these are not the answers. Nana is short for nenehpok!

Cynthiaa: Mmm... continue guessing lor..

(The truth is out!)

How much time does each of you really spend on Facebook each day?
Robin: I only spend 5 minutes each day and Cynthiaa is already complaining!

Cynthiaa: Every morning to check for messages and have a game of Bejewelled before I sleep if I’m not too tired… I can go without Facebook.

(Aye, we suppose this does not include times when you upload photos. And we’re sure labelling and commenting take more time!)

Is it really so fun to flirt with each other on Facebook when you are married to each other and live under the same roof?!
Robin: No we don't do that. The fact is Cynthiaa is always hogging our only laptop playing Bejewelled and I sometimes need to add comments to those pictures posted on Facebook to entertain others.

Cynthiaa: Did we??

(Perhaps flirting with their spouse comes so naturally that they do so unconsciously. Will other married team mates try it out and give us the verdict?)

How much do you love Sunday Dragons?
Robin: I was born on a Sunday 40 years ago in the year of the Dog. If Sunday Dragons were named Sunday Dogs, I would love the team even more!

Cynthiaa: As much as I love dragonboating!

(We know you love the team. *wink*)

Describe yourself in less than 10 words.
Robin: Providing entertainment, bridging people, self-critical, love a sport called Dragonboat! (Heng used hyphen, considered only 1 word!)

Cynthiaa: Contented, peace-loving, easy-going and loves Hokkien songs.

Life is Good.

2007

2008

2009

2010

Featured Rower of the Month - Jackson!

How time flies! We are into the 5th month of 2010! This month, we speak to one of our newest and most ON rowers of the team, Mr Jackson!

Being one of the newest additions to the team, what made you join us?
Thanks to Alvin's active & persistent recruiting! He asked me a few times near the end of last year if I'm interested to row, and I was rather interested to pick up a new activity. What's more, on top of the exercise, I get to have a nice tan! (Haha, this is probably Alvin's biggest contribution to the team! We are happy you are one of us!)

How has your life changed since joining Sunday Dragons?
No more late Saturday nights! And everytime I see a friend or colleague that I've not met for a while, I will have to explain why I became so tanned.... (Isn't this just one of the best things that has happened to you? heh.)

Tell us how you feel about the sport and the team.
Rowing is much, much more technical than I had thought! And what is really interesting is the team dynamics where people of different sizes and fitness row in unison. Speaking about team, I think the company is really what made the experience so enjoyable! SD is full of funny people and every training session is full of fun and laughter (and sometimes, badly sung songs) (Darius actually sound not bad, Alvin is the one who always spoils it. =/). And oh, here's the obligatory sentence about SD full of good looking people... (Great that you are enjoying the sport! How about getting some of your friends to join us too? Anyway, we ARE good looking, not obligatory ok!)

You have just gone through your first dragonboat race with us. Tell us how you feel about it.
Gone in a flash! It was over before I could think of anything! I think my techniques are not good enough to keep up. Need more training!! And it was also a very wet race! (Thanks Robin!) (Look forward to more races to come!)

Tell us about what you do for a living.
I'm working with the government agency that stamps passports, check car boots and issue ICs. If you dunno, (shame on you), I'm working at ICA. (Please lor, we know ok...we are not only good looking, we are smart people too!) Currently I'm involved in developing operational projects, but am waiting for my secondment to Ministry of Home Affairs that should take place soon.

How did you end up in this profession?
I sold 4 years of my life (and my soul!) to the government for the price of a tertiary education. So instead of pushing paper at some ministry or something, I had wanted something more frontline and interesting. And hence my choice of ICA, where I can catch smugglers, illegal immigrants etc. Ironic how I'm now gonna get posted to do the policy work I had wanted to avoid. (Wah seh! Another scholar in the team! You see, we are a bunch of smart people hor...no bluff...)

What other things do you do during your free time?
I'm doing muaythai, but have not gone for a couple of months now due to an injury. I'll also try to visit the gym twice a week when possible. I also go to the golf range to pop some balls occassionally. And of course, I've to accompany my wife when she feels like going out for a shopping spree! (Very well-balanced, very good!)

We know you are Alvin’s friend. Honestly, what do you think of Alvin as a friend? (you can be honest, no problem haha!)
He is fun to hang around with, cos when you're not laughing at his jokes, you'll be laughing at him! And he sucks at chess. (Ahahaah.....he is just plain stupid! And ugly!)

Tell us something about you that few people know.
I can eat a lot. And I really mean a lot! (Next time ask u to organise team buffet!)

Describe yourself in less than 10 words!
Newbie rower seeking improvement! (Way to go Jackson! Sunday Dragons Sa!)

It's Dylan!

Not much people guessing this one.....was it so difficult? Anyway, the younger photo of Dylan very cute leh....

Go Go Captain!

30 April 2010 marks the day where Sunday Dragons will be really, really proud of. Our beloved captain, Mr Gan Choon Kiat (in the red circle, this has to be his best looking photo ever) will represent Singapore, on behalf of Sunday Dragons, to do our nation proud at the Asian Dragonboat Championship 2010!

We Sunday Dragons are all behind our captain and the National Team, cheering them on to do the country proud!

Go Go Captain! Go Go Singapore!

"Pain is temporary, glory is forever!" ~BLR

Guess Who? V

Ok folks, first guy for all of you to guess! Should not be too difficult.....heheh!

Featured Rower of the Month - Peiyi!

Hello Folks! Its April and we are all gearing up for the first race of 2010! As we train hard, let us get to know our super soft spoken girl and one of our youngest rower on the team better...I bet quite a few of us don't even know how her voice sound like cos she is always so soft haha!

How long have you been in the team and what made you join us?
About ten months, first introduced to me by my sister. Cause it’s a team sport. I like the energy in the boat where everyone row together. (eh, get your sister to join us lah! Quick quick, can come for trial sessions first mah....after April race ask her to come try out leh...)

What does Sunday Dragons mean to you?
A group of people who are passionate about what they do especially in this sport. (Thanks thanks, I cannot agree with you more haha.)

Tell us about 2 members in the team whom you look up to and why.
Chin Mien and Georgin. Cause Chin Mien is always mentally very positive and Georgin is a very focus and calm person. Both of them (and Cynthia too haha) are like iron woman. (Hahaha....err...iron woman....ok lor....none of the guys in the team impress u? hahah...but i can understand la....just look at them....*sigh*)

Has participating in dragonboat rowing changed you in any way?
Yah physically I have a bump now on my right side permanently Haha but I guess it had made me stronger mentally and physically fitter too with the training sets though sometimes I feel like throwing the paddle into the river. (A bump? Oh my god, hope its nothing painful or what....eh yes yes, i always feel like throwing the paddle into the river too haha....but we always tahan and after that will feel damn good about ourselves....)

Tell us about what you do in school and what's next in your life.

I am a chemistry student soaked in all the toxic fumes, breathing in chloroform and getting myself semi-knocked out during lab. Why I choose chemistry, guess it was the better subject I did for A levels. As for what is next in my life, I am still figuring out before I face a mid 20s crisis haha. (Wah, you sure damn high everytime u are in lab lor haha...)

What other things do you do during your free time?
Volunteer at MINDs teach the children there simple crafts and other sane and normal things any human being will do like eat, sleep, go for movies, read.. (wah volunteer at MINDs....cool leh...sibeh on lah you...)

What is your favourite sport before you took up dragonboating?
Maybe jogging (leisurely haha if that is still considered a sport) cause can activate the cells, see people, see trees and maybe some dog poop on the floor too haha.

Do you have a boyfriend? Tell us about him!
Haha nope. (ok tell us the next time what you look for in a boyfriend we help you keep a lookout haha...)

Tell us something about you that few people know.
Flying bugs, insects, cockroach, anything that has wings and more than 2 legs are my worst enemies. (u mean you are scared of birds and most animals ah?)

Describe yourself in less than 10 words!
A little boring. Somewhat blur. Maybe not so quiet.

It's Janus!

Heheh...not so easy for this one...did anybody get this right??

Guess Who? IV

Hello fellow Sunday Dragons! Time for a challenge! Let's see who can get this right....heheh...

Featured Rower of the Month - Matt!

In the month of March, we talk to one of our most hardworking and also one of the quieter rowers on the team, Matt! Oh yes, in case you are not aware, he is a certified coxswain as well. Great asset to the team. =)

How did you get to know about Sunday Dragons?

It was by fate that I joined Sunday Dragons. I met one of the Sunday Dragons rower, Kai Ming (ex-rower already....maybe you can get him back? haha.) in one of the courses I took with SSTI. Chatted with him over break time and found out that he was with Sunday Dragons. He invited me to join in and I agreed. Totally by chance. (We are all glad you spoke to Kai Ming, that is definitely a special moment for you and the team....fate is such an amazing thing...haha!)

How long have you been in the team and what made you join the team?
1 year plus I suppose. I decided to join cos the gals and guys were tough. (Ahem, we shall take that as a compliment. Yes! We are tough! And you are one of us!)

How do you feel about the sport?
Its mentally and physically challenging. I am glad I am in it. I always thought it is a mindless sport. "Just do it", no thinking kind of sports. (Haha, we are sure you are not the only one thinking that way....everybody who tries the sport should feel the same...you just keep getting better as long as you train...)

Has Sunday Dragons changed your life in some way?
Made me fitter, less susceptible to sickness, allow me to know more nice peeps. =) (Looks like joining us is the best thing that happened to you hahah...get your friends to join us too!)

What other things do you do during your free time?
Giving free tuition, resting, ktv with frens, housework and other boring stuffs u can think of... hahaha (eh....yes, not very exciting....maybe being part of Sunday Dragons is interesting enough since we are such happening people to hang out with haha...)

We all know you are going to be a teacher. So why do you want to teach?
I find no meaning in my previous work. Having to work and help people at the same time is a bliss for me. (noble, noble)

How long have you been a vegetarian?

1 year plus. I just prefer vegetables and fruits over meat. (hmm, ok...healthy diet you have...we should learn from you...)

Is it difficult being a vegetarian?
Nope. being a dragon boater is tougher. (hahahaha....yes yes yes, totally agree!)

Tell us something about you that few people know.
I was super overweight when I was in Primary 6. I am still overweight now. (Show us your Primary school photo leh....sure damn cute looking!)

Describe yourself in less than 10 words!
An overweight guy with fats around waist (but will only get fitter!)