27 June 2009 - It's always darkest before the dawn.

Dear Papillons,

Although we didn't make the cut to the finals, I think today was still a meaningful outing. It's the first ever Inter-Corporate Mixed event for SDBF 800m, and held for the first time at the Marina Barrage too. Weather was good, kites were flying high, race starter was corny - we really can't ask for more. (OK, maybe we'll ask for Ramlee burger the next time.)

Anyway! On a more sensible note...
If you ask me - honestly, I can't think of any reason why we should have won today; but I can think of a number of reasons why we did not win.
Strangely, this gives me hope -
Because we now know where we have to buck up, because competition won't wait for you - they only get stronger.
It also makes me excited -
Because I imagine what we can be, if we train hard, together.

And that's why I'm not dismayed by today's race - because we are now aware that we still have some way to go, and we know exactly how to get there. (Just as well that it hit us now - better now, than at J.I. race! 15 August...)

So... let us get goin, shall we? :)

= Chief Editor D.L. signing off =

6 June 2009 - Counting down... revving up.

Kallang, oh Kallang - we love you so much, we can't bear to train elsewhere.

This Sat, Papillons were still at Kallang! Where there always looms the threat of an eternally grumpy half-naked man barking at you, for various reasons eg. taking an extra sawed-off mobil1 bottle, taking life vests from other racks than the first, returning the boat 1 second late... blah. Oh well - life is not perfect, so what the heck.

But training was GREAT! Previous Sat we got started on race sets, and this week we continued on that track - and about time, too. We began the season by learning the new core-power twisting technique, spent subsequent weeks drumming it into our muscle memory before working on team coordination.

And now we have reached the stage where we put it all together, in a race set!
So far, things are looking good - but we will never know our true prowess, until we get the boat fully loaded with Papillons.

In these coming weeks, Coach Patrick will continue to try and bring up our stroke rate so that the boat can glide even faster without 'dipping' in-between strokes.
We can only do this, together! So let's all do our very best to make these last few trainings.

The 800m SDBF race has traditionally been an Open category - but this year, they have actually introduced a Mixed Category. Which means that we have a very good shot at it - but only if all of us are of one mind, to want it.

Let's revv up on the gym workouts (but please ah, don't overstrain) and more importantly, water-fitness - nothing beats a good solid rowing session with fellow Papillons!

See yous this Sat,
(The race looms - I am excited and how 'bout choo? ;)

= Chief Editor D.L. signing off =