A Celebration of Life to Wrap-Up the Year

Singapore Regatta WaterFest 2025 is a race like no other and not only because it is the last race of the year. The daytime 200-meter event also saw a tragedy on its last day that rendered it unforgettable.

On Friday night it held Singapore's first night race after many years. The one-hundred meter dash had attracted teams young and not-so-young to paddle in between lighted buoys recycled from the Halloween paddling event. The rest of the geography has to be from memory as the darkness was not alleviated enough to see your hand by the gunwale.

Saturday saw the big boats making an appearance. It's been a while since Team Kraken raced in a 22-crew and therefore this is a good chance to see how we would fare. As usual, Coach GW reminded that ,"A race is not only about how good you do, but also about how least mistakes you make." The first heat saw our Mixed boat started a beat late. A lesson learnt for being on Lane 1, the farthest lane from the loudspeaker. Voice travels.

Saturday night carried another round of sprinting in the dark. Fiffy, a Kraken member commented, "It's a great experience for everyone but not as bright as the first experience (at Singapore River back then). Or maybe because my eyes were younger then (haha)." Teething problem such as missing lightstick for the handheld buoy also happened, but we took it in our stride.

On Sunday it was back to small boats. Team Kraken sent in Women, Master, Senior and PA GRO Mixed boats today. Lunchtime Cat1 interrupted the race and just as well, as everyone was busy digesting the shocking news concerning one of our own.

One of our members who was racing for his corporate team fell unwell, went unconscious and sadly never came back to us. Zaffis had been with Team Kraken for six years and was looking forward to be in our Master boat next year as he was turning 50 in February. He was a very active person and instead of looking back with regret, we would celebrate his life where he was main character. He had paddled in his first 10K just last month, as a pacer no less. Hopefully we all be able to adopt his cool calm collected mannerism and quiet strength, inside and outside the boat.

Annie, a member of Team Kraken concluded the teamwork and spirit were outstanding. She said, "It was a fantastic race. Although the weather wasn't great, with rain throughout, and it was an emotional weekend for Team Kraken due to the sudden passing of our teammate, the energy and camaraderie were still there."

Appreciation is in order for Punggol Coast CSN, Exco and Coach GW. Thanks also Coach Zul and his team of ladies who represents Team Kraken in the Women boats. As the year is coming to a close, we are also thanking each member for supporting the team and sending up prayers for our fallen paddler. May he rest in peace.

Next stop is our AGM & year-end gathering!

Best timing:

DB12 SRW Night Mixed 00:32:938

DB22 SRW Women 00:54:165

DB22 SRW Mixed 0:53:818

DB12 SRW Night Mixed 00:33:289

DB12 SRW Women 01:00:303

DB12 SRW Masters Open 58:151

DB12 SRW Senior Mixed 01:01:494

DB12 PA GRO Mixed 01:01:000