26 April 2008 - It-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Yes - It's back. Just as Papillons were happy to note the single bailer this Saturday, the original instrument of torture - whose name strikes terror into the heart of anyone who has ever experienced it - has returned.

Soon as we hopped into the boat, Coach Patrick steered us away from the usual direction of row. We crossed under Nicoll Highway and rowed along Kallang Riverside Park. As it became apparent that Coach was going to beach the boat, there were flashbacks not unlike those that happen to people who have near-death experiences - only, it was merely the mind zipping through the possibilities of:

• Beach push-ups *NOoo...*
  
  
• Stationary pair rowing *shudder*
  
  
• 10km beach run *quick, faint first*

... and that was when we saw It. Which-Must-Not-Be-Named.

The boat (and our hearts too) sank as Coach unearthed the Tyre from among the parked boats and hooked it up. Patrick has managed to outwit us once again! - We solemnly surrender.

With the draggy tyre, our muscles were made to work harder. We still needed Coach's reminders on the piston action, where our outer shoulder should be rotating in a circular motion. (When you look at your rowing shoulder, should be rotating anti-clockwise for right rowers, and clockwise for left rowers.)

After a masterful display of negotiation (10 Papillons vs 1 Coach), we did 5 sets of rowing with the tyre, and then 5 sets without. It was so poopifying that I can't remember the details, only bits and bobs:

• Our 3-2-1 transition from the fast 20 to "stretttchout..." was there.
  
  
• Before starting on one of our sets, Coach: "If you can row until we crash into the wall, better!"
  
  
• The boat was unusually quiet for periods at a time, as we paused to catch our breath in-between sets.
  
  
• For best results, Coach recommended a dosage of "one time maximum chin ups and 100 push ups", twice daily - in the morning after waking up, and at night before going to bed.

The next thing I remember, was us rowing back to the same place to return the tyre, and then back to the pontoon. We then finished the session with 40 push ups, and of course, our customary Papillon whoosh!

Needless to say - it was a tough training, and we were given a heads up by Coach to expect more of the same as we build up to the races. Now, though we may moan and groan, I know that inside each Papillon - we know what we're capable of achieving, and along with that, is a strong desire to win back what is ours.

So let's channel that unshakable determination into training - make every training count. Ki-yah!

= Chief Editor signing off =

19 April 2008 - a tail of two bailers.

This Saturday morning, we showed a little more initiative in warming up before Coach Patrick arrived. Nevertheless, our attempt to hoodwink him was exposed when Coach took one glance at our arms, saw the total lack of perspiration and muscle definition, and concluded that we hadn't done any push ups. Such sharpness!

Today, we welcome a fresh face - Ben Chua - to a first session with Papillon!

The boats were so flooded by the flash showers early this morning, an electronic pump was used for a massive de-ballast exercise. For that same reason, Papillon was armed with 2 bailers. On hindsight, we should have thrown them far far away after scooping out the water - only because Coach, in all his ingeniousness, had grand plans for them as replacement for The Tyre (which he now cannot fit into his compact coupe). Dang.

Rowing in the strangely 'teh si'-like ('milk tea'-like) waters with 'tea leaves' floating about, we were treated to pair-rowing of 100 strokes to fine-tune the new piston-stroke!

We then rowed toward an imaginary 50m mark (that was really more like 1km) in the direction of the under-construction dam. Coach might seriously want to consider Lasik or something to correct his abysmal judgment of distance.

It was a long, long row... made more challenging by the 2 bailers dragging behind. "You are not tired, you are fresh!" - Coach's words echoed in our ears. Though not exactly sashimi-fresh, we didn't let up either, and kept going. Good job, Paps!

Then, heading to the 300m race mark, we were greeted by the cheery 'Vet-Rookie' boat and decided to pace with them. Though we finished ahead by a distance, Coach observed that we were all over the place - in particular, during the pace transition in our start set. Quick to rectify that, we paced again, and was much improved this time around. Remember: 10 hard, 20 fast, 3-2-1-stretch out...

Finally it was time to head back, and Coach slyly slotted in one more start set along the way. But hehhey - it was not bad! (Always - most motivation when it's the last stretch back.)

During de-brief - good news! - seems like we're getting the hang of the new stroke. Coach commented that it was much better than the previous training. Maybe the draggy bailers helped - to prevent us from going too fast and losing focus on technique. Well done, Paps!

Now we just have to make sure we stick to the piston-style, work on coordination and practise our race sets, build up strength at the gym... and we will be on course for a smashing season!

Special mention to William, who has stepped up to the plate to become our new right pacer. It's not easy, so let's give him our greatest support as he grows into the role. Go William - we're behind you! (Literally, too.)

And kudos to Ben Chua - it seems we've got a natural rower! Hope you had fun today and we certainly look forward to you joining us for future trainings.

Finally - just want to commend our guys on their dedication to gym sessions! Good organization by Jon and Ben to make it happen. Keep it up, guys. But take care not to burn yourselves out - suggest the 1st session be the punishing one (ramp up the weights and cardio), and 2nd session more for recovery (run off the lactic acid, and lighter weights if you want). Keep some strength for the 30 push ups on Sats!

Another good session today - rest those muscles and see y'all next Sat!

= Chief Editor signing off =

12 April 2008 - ... and the training resumes.

This Saturday, the Sun was great, no "pissing down" from the heavens above (much to our dismay...)

Attendance was good as we welcomed back Christy and Desmond from a long-missed absence.

During the recent lull, Papillons have not been idle - in fact they dispersed temporarily to form various teams that took part in the annual ESRC Dragonboat Carnival, bombarding others with their boundless energy.

Someone made an enlightened observation that most of the folks in our boat today actually won some medal in the carnival! (Or well, at least appeared on the stage - HOR, Jon?)

On that point, i BET all of us are happy to be swiping water with our pro-paddles again - what heavy stubby pieces of wood we used during the carnival! Bum pads are a boon too - yes, we are a pampered lot.

Warm up was a lethal cocktail of jumping jacks and push ups. Fwah - 30 push ups was never more difficult when it's on a "team count".... especially after a 3-week break.

The agenda for today was simple enough - we focused on technique again, to get the new stroke right before we try adventurous patterns that might break our arms.

So we simply rowed, and rowed... and rowed somemore, while Coach Patrick observed and corrected us.

With Pierre on vacation, "backpacks of the week" were Ken and Ben. However, all the 'Ken, Ben', 'Ben, can?', 'Ken, bend', etc. were confusing the hell out of our backpacks and everyone else - we should never put them together again.

There was a period during training where everyone was mesmerised by a peculiar sound that reverberated from the stern of the boat. That was actually Coach demonstrating the new stroke, and we witnessed the power that it can generate, as long as we master the correct technique.

It was a Piston-like action - throw your weight forward, controlled punch of the paddle into the water, keep shaft straight as you pull back to mid-thigh, torso restored to upright posture... (and repeat) throw weight forward, controlled punch...

Not easy. But hey - we made good progress and will definitely get better as our muscle memories get recalibrated. Remember - practice makes perfect!

Learnings:
1. With a higher stroke rate, consistency becomes more crucial in order to be effective as a team - this demands fitness - Hint: cardio training.
2. For now, the shorter strokes makes it harder to feel difference in power (think: hard 10) vs a longer pull. Perhaps the difference will become obvious when we build up strength, giving us more control over how much power to exert - Hint: weights training.

Conclusion: Time to hit the gym!

Rest up everyone - and welcome back to the serious stuff. Are you ready, for the new season?

Let's rock and row!

= Chief Editor signing off =