#britishdragons

[365newexperiences]

Day 40 - Dragon Boat Race (DBS Regatta)

Here we go — now this is a big new experience.

I know this when I’m waking up. I know this when i’m walking through the underground shopping centre which links the MRT station to the outside area where the team will be congregating. I definitely know this when i’m sat in the boat, leaning forward, breathing deeply ready for the call from the race marshall to get those paddles in the air. It’s time for my first Dragon Boat race.

The DBS regatta is sponsored and named after the Development Bank of Singapore and is a fairly big event in the Dragon Boat calendar in Singapore. Set in the shadow of the famous Marina Bay Sands, teams from across the South East Asia region come here to compete for a pretty lucrative prize. Due to the size of the event each team can only enter two boats — one men’s and one women’s. No mixed, no crew A or crew B. 

I was in the men’s crew, thankfully. 

The race on the Saturday is two-hundred meters which is a relatively short distance, definitely a sprint. It’s pretty much over within fifty seconds, but that doesn’t make it any less tough. The competition was high and for my first race we came in fourth. Not enough to qualify to the next round directly, but because of the schedule we got the second chance with the repechage. We were much faster in that race. We still came fourth.

Oh well, I was just happy to get to actually race for the first time and soak up the atmosphere with the British Dragons. Bring on the next race tomorrow, five-hundred meters is going to be tough.

[365newexperiences]

Day 11 - Pool Party with the British Dragons @ Citylights Condo It's Easter which means its public holiday time in Singapore. After already having the Monday off work (using my holiday allowance I should clarify) that made this technically a three day week. If I didn't believe the fabric of our society would break down if we were to standardise on a three day week I'd totally back the change. To celebrate this day off, a couple from the British Dragons, held a BBQ at their condo in a part of town I'd not been to before. We had burgers, sausages and drinks, plus lots of tomfoolery in the pool where I put in a very respectable performance in a handstand competition. I didn't even think to bring swimming shorts with me so just went in wearing some normal shorts anyway. Singapore can be a little unforgiving with the weather sometimes so I was already soaking from walking in the rain. A bit of pool water wasn't going to make much of a difference.

[365newexperiences]

Day 5 - New Dragon Boat Launch Ceremony Today was a special day for the British Dragons team as we (I'm a member now, I can say that) officially launched our brand spanking new boat. A new dragon boat is a big deal and there is a ceremony steeped with tradition. These traditions are based on old Chinese harvest times and mostly about bringing luck and spiritually awakening the dragon head which is fitted to every boat. It was an amazing turn out, even for a Saturday where allowances are made for newbies to join in with training. I know because until about two weeks ago I was one of those newbies. The ceremony consisted of burning money (fake money before you gasp in horror), dotting the eyes of the dragon head, feeding the dragon some dumplings (in this case a burger bun) and drinking to the team and the boat. After this we had our training and I was very honoured to be able to paddle in the new boat. I am really enjoying my time with the British Dragons team, they are a great bunch of people and are making my settling into this side of the world so much easier. Please check them out on the following link: www.britishdragonboat.com

[365newexperiences]

Day 3 - Lemon and Lime 100 Plus 100 Plus is the isotonic drink of choice over here in Singapore. Hardly ever see Powerade, Gatorade or Lucozade being stocked on the shelves. In it's classic form 100 Plus is like a cloudy lemonade flavour, sort of. It's one if those flavours you like, but aren't sure why. I'm sat at the top of the steps to the Indoor Stadium. This is the location for the British Dragon's Boot Camp training. The training is basically a one and half hour torture session where instead of having a corrupt government agent deliver brutal, teeth-clenching punishment, you are almost expected to do it to yourself, all in the name of health. I came to the last one of these sessions two weeks ago and spent twenty-four hours barely able to move due to the ache in my muscles. So, to be able to survive this onslaught of agony I've come prepared with a bottle of 100 Plus Lemon and Lime flavour which it turns out is fairly similar to the original except they seem to have added some lime-esque flavourings and turned the drink a murky yellow colour. A little bit now for courage and energy, the rest afterwards to give me the moxie required to crawl back to the MRT.