Dragonboating and the lessons of a Chinese statesman
Singapore International Water Festival (SIWF) provided a platform for me to find out more about Singapore’s development and future plans on water. The exhibits at the gallery served as a great help to aid me in the understanding of what alternatives Singapore has achieved (e.g. NEWater’s developments).
I was also captivated by the Dragonboat competitions held at Marina Barrage during the SIWF. Dragonboating is a sport that requires great teamwork and leadership skills. It has also become one of the most popular sports among young people. Several successful dragonboat coaches and sportsmen even shared with me how they have applied the principles and skills learnt from dragonboating in their daily lives. Hwa Chong Institution’s coach talked about how he would constantly remind his students about Qu Yuan’s determination and perseverance (Qu Yuan was a famous poet and statesman who lived during the Warring States Period in China about 300 years before the birth of Christ. Though he loved his country, the state of Chu, he was often sidelined because of slander by a jealous colleague and he often worried about how he could not save Chu even though he tried his best. He wandered around the country and wrote poetry and was much respected by the people. He fell into a river and died. The common people made rice dumplings to feed the fish so that they would not eat him. This is how the Dumpling and the Dragonboat festivals began.).
They should learn to be like Qu Yuan in everything they do in life, instead of giving up easily. Overall, it was definitely a fulfilling and educational trip for me.
Posted by Bettie Teo, School of Film & Media Studies, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Benson Tan
Thanks, Bettie for explaining the legend! Some of us seem to have forgotten the story…
Black & Veatch professionals discovered the fun and ‘aches’ of dragonboating for a while now, as part of company team-building. Since 2007, the Recreational Committee has organised our very own in-house ‘regatta’ annually (almost) at various waterbodies around Singapore – ie Kallang River (2007), Lower Seletar Reservoir (2008) and Jurong Lake (2010) – thanks to PUB’s ABC Waters’ programme to bring people nearer to the water!
Everyone in the office is divided into teams weeks before the Event. Enthusiastic members contribute at team strategy meetings, and ‘rigourous’ practice sessions during the weekend, ahead of the races. Judging is based on the efforts of the team through attendance, cheer, flag, banner, t-shirt & uniform design and the races). It’s a great form of exercise, teamwork and collaboration.