Updated: 7 Sep 2005 by Yiling
I would give the MR 500 reasonable points for relevance, but thumbs down for ?excitement? or ?adrenaline factor?. I?m not being critical. For a mid-scale race (since it attracted most of the usual teams but had less categories), it was a subdued affair. There were scant spectators except for regulars who go there to exercise (rowers don?t count cause they are competitors right?). Many of the earlier races went unnoticed (even by the competitors). Somehow there seemed to be a tacit agreement - the Macritchie grounds were milling with rowers but remained quiet. There just wasn?t that kind of energy level that we typically get at the year end Regatta at Boat Quay. I think it is an issue of location. Now, I believe things might have turned out differently if it were held at the Bedok Reservoir. (Bedok Reservoir had many superior recommendations such as its symmetrical layout, its regular shape and open design is more spectator-friendly, its proximity to many top-notch hawker centres etc. )
Still, we cannot deny the relevance of MR 500. As an ?in-between? race, it was a productive way to soak up the restless energies of rowers between Jan and the June race (this year it?s going to be held in July). We could benchmark ourselves against our competitors. New rowers got to experience a race before their time. And Racing together is one of the best ways to bond with your teammates. For there is nothing more gratifying than rowing together in the same boat, towards the same finishing line and beating your competition. Suddenly, the guys you barely knew became seasoned teammates. Dragonboat rowing IS the new solidarity.
So this inaugural MR 500 race was still fruitful for the following reasons:
a. Our Men?s team got into the Open finals, ending a 3-year drought (starting from 2002);
b. The mixed team put in a good showing too, narrowly losing out to our rivals in a very competitive semi-final;
c. And newcomers got to experience a competitive race
Of course, I did wish that the women?s team had lived up to expectations. Well, there were other heart-warming observations that almost made up for it. Like hearing and seeing your teammates cheering loudly from the shore regardless if we won or lost. Ex-rowers turning up to lend their support even though Macritchie is not exactly central or near to an MRT station. Teammates slipping into leadership roles effortlessly, getting more seasoned with each race. It?s great to see your friends maturing nicely. Fellow rowers who continued to be ?anchors? in the boat, boosting morale just by their very presence (& poise & confidence). New rowers shaping up nicely (& I dunch mean those hot bods only ;-D)
Thanks for choosing this BOAT, this team, SAFRA. The seat may not be comfortable at all times but we do the best we can!
Trivia
? The MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore?s first reservoir and was commissioned in 1867. It?s past monikers included the Impounding Reservoir, Thomson Road Reservoir (1907). It was named MacRitchie Reservoir in 1922, after James MacRitchie who was the Municipal Engineer who supervised its enlargement between 1891 and 1894.
? A Regatta is a boat race, or a series of boat races. The word means ?contention? in Italian dialect and possibly had its source from a Latin word that meant ?to contend? or ?to catch?.