The present team. We are one big, humble family! :> (Note : some of our paddlers not photographed here)
About Us
The NUS Dragonboat Varsity Team is comprised of both the men's and ladies' team. We are one big, humble, happy family. Currently, we do not employ any coach for the team and we maintain the student-coach-student style. In fact, the team has some dedicated and committed seniors who provide guidance to the juniors and beginners. Both the men's and ladies' team is taken care of by a Captain and/or Vice Captain who are chosen for their good qualities like commitment to the team, character, experience and leadership.
We represent NUS in two of the major races in Singapore, namely the Singapore River Regatta and the Singapore International Dragonboat Festival.
Some of you might be wondering what it takes to participate in a competitive sport and join a varsity team. To join the NUS team, there is no pre-requisites. In short, you need not possess any sports background or paddling experience. In fact, a number of our rowers are complete beginners, some with absolutely no sports background but have built up their strength and fitness through sweat and hardwork. We welcome any student of NUS to join the team, no matter your age, size, race, religion or nationality. We believe in people and that they are capable of much more than they think.
See our 'naked' paddlers posing at the Kallang Water Sports Centre, this is the site where we have our water training.
Of course, since this is a varsity team and we are representing NUS in the races, we have to maintain a certain degree of standard in order to compete successfully. If you want to join the team, all we ask from you is your commitment to the whole team, your determination to fight for your team as well as your willingness to put in effort and hard work.
Meet our paddlers!
Our training is comprised of both the land and water training. For the land training sessions, most of the time we do stretching, jogging, running and circuit to build up stamina and fitness, and we train with weights in the gym for strength and power. Some of our paddlers have some misgivings about weights lifting and running long distances. We have included a FAQ page to address such issues. So please do visit this page. Attention ladies, if you are worried about having to carry weights, this FAQ page is a must see! We hope this page will address all your doubts and questions that you might have you mind before joining the team.
A glorious moment! The Team Captain, Tan Hai Kang (right) giving out medals after the guys won the IVP (Inter-varsity Polytechnic) championship in the June Race '98.
Dragonboating will provide the opportunity for participants to experience the
sense of teamwork and achievement in paddling 'baby' or full sized dragon boats. At the
same time, it provides students with an opportunity to get away from the routine study. As
the saying goes : All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So come join us!
The Big Family of the Men's Team -- all seniors and juniors together! Our very 'Ong Elders' (most standing at the back of the row) are still into paddling even after they have graduated from NUS.
Play hard and work hard! :)