PROGRAMMES | LUMEN 11
Strength of Brotherhood - One For All , All For One
By Brayden Chang and Werner Lee , B and C Division Canoeing Captains
Canoeing is a rough and demanding sport that favours determination and hard work , not only talent . Just like every sport or performing art that often requires lots of dedication and time spent , your ability to do well is entirely measured by the amount of effort you have put in . It is not only about how well-built or talented you are when you first begin , it is also about how much passion and belief you have to continue to strive for excellence . So just like the sport itself , it ’ s not about how strong you start , but how you end at the finishing line .
Canoeing as a team sport has always created strong bonds of friendship among the members . Forged through hardship , labour and triumph amid umpteen training sessions , canoeists have potent connections and faith in one another . After all , we share the sweat and tears , setbacks and victories as a team . Members spur each other on to greater heights , and intense competition within the team pushes members beyond their limits . Canoeing teaches us that we must always find a way to face challenges and adversity head-on . These values transcend the CCA and apply to our studies , relationships , and personal goals . It is this spirit of resilience that has allowed our CCA to continue to prevail and thrive in our 33 years of paddling .
The hiatus of lockdowns and the untimely examination breaks wholly disrupted our ability to train in 2020 and 2021 . Many of our teammates felt frustrated and immensely disappointed as the skills gap became increasingly noticeable due to the lack of physical training opportunities . We were forced to rely on home-based training to pull through . Undeterred , we did not reduce our training intensity when we were stuck at home , with training sessions reaching up to 4 times a week , pushing ourselves harder than before , with a sense of urgency driving us . At the end of 2021 , we finally resumed our regular water training routines during the school holidays . This was a period of struggle and determination , being the last stretch before the major competitions , where we were finally allowed to train on the water . It was a period where our canoeists were able to showcase their dedication to the sport , honing their strength in the water almost daily .
Despite the significant advantage our competitors from other schools had in terms of the time they had to train on the water , the SJI canoeing team performed exceptionally well in the National School Games ( NSG ) this year . Obtaining the most gold medals by achieving first in K4 500m , C1 500m , C2 500m , and the JK2 500m events , we were able to defend our topfour National title by clinching the Overall Runner-up Position in the C Division and Third Position in the B Division . Throughout the NSG , we supported and cheered each other on , and there was not a single athlete who fought alone during those four days . This year , our NSG competitions were full of excitement and close races , such as when our entire Year 3 team nearly defeated the Hwa Chong team that was made up of Year 4s in the B Division K4 500m event , losing only by a quarter of a boat length . None of us would have believed we could have achieved these results a year ago , if not for the firm belief in each other as a team . We are proud of the hard work that the team has put in and are also highly grateful to our dedicated coach , Huang Chun Jian , and our supportive teachers for their willingness to go the extra mile to make this happen .
The SJI canoeing team has grown in the past three years under immense pressure and setbacks . The team is even more united and motivated to excel . Canoeing teaches all of us that it is never about how strong we are when we first enter the CCA , but rather it is about the passion and commitment we have for the sport that ultimately decides our fate . This is reflected both in our training style and in our relentless commitment to the sport in spite of the challenging situation over the past three years . The SJI Canoeing team is the embodiment of tenacity , resilience and camaraderie ; the will to stand together and persevere in the midst of obstacles and challenges .
This sporting spirit lives on in Josephians long after they have left SJI and moved onto other pursuits in their lives . Our predecessors have shown us the way , by embracing these values and continuing to pursue their passion in the sport against the best on the international stage . Three of our SJI Canoeing alumni recently represented the country at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi , Vietnam . Lucas Huan ( IB Class of 2020 ) and Gereon Chan ( Class of 2016 ) in the C2 1000m category obtained sixth overall , and Jovi Jayden ( Class of 2017 ) achieved a Bronze medal in the K4 500m category .
Lucas reflects that : “ SJI canoeing ignited my passion to pursue the sport when I was in secondary school . It gave me a goal and with the support of my teachers , coaches and peers , I ’ ve pursued my passion . Competing under SJI colours I have also inculcated a drive in me to be the best and to fight with pride . With the support from SJI , I ’ ve participated in multiple competitions overseas . These invaluable experiences and the drive to further improve are what have kept me going strong in canoeing . The SEA Games was undoubtedly an interesting and eye-opening experience . Racing with the best in the SEA Games and in challenging conditions was tough . However , we have proven that we can compete at that level , and next time we will come back stronger .”