The End is the Beginning

Yesterday, Punggol Coast CSN a.k.a. Team Kraken sent down not one.. not two.. but six boats in five categories to battle it out at Singapore Regatta WaterFest 2023. This last race of the year for Kraken is also the team's first race under the tutelage of Coach Terence Kiew.

After weeks of hardwork the team was very motivated: teamwork was strong, everyone was supportive and spirits are up. During the 200 meter race, the water was not at its most predictable. Particularly with the weather laden with multiple Cat1s. There were near wins and a cancelled repechage. CK from Exco summed it up beautifully, that the painfully narrow margins do not mean the tenacity we have in us is any lesser - in fact it cements the fact that we can achieve much further than we initially thought.

TM and Exco earned the most praise with their work behind the scene, organizing our own people as well as building connections with other paddlers - some of whom raced for Team Kraken invitationally. Thank you also to Coach Zul, trainer of the Nanyang Polytechnic girls who paddled bearing our flag in Women category. These established networks work both ways, not only we are proud to have them in our boats, we will be their somewhere to belong.

A piece of fun fact: ex-Coach GW paddled with us in Senior boat. We are excited to have him back!

Meanwhile, current Coach TK wrapped up the debriefing on a positive note, "Team achieved their ever best timing in this race. Everyone did their best and I can feel the hunger from each and every member". Indeed this last race marks the first of many - ones with renewed vigor thanks to the hardworking Coach, TM and Exco.

Now, report card on best timing is as follow:

PA GRO Open - 0.56.051 minute

Masters Open - 0.59.534 minute

Senior Mixed - 1.03.228 minute

PA GRO Mixed - 0.57.868 minute

Women Team A - 1.01.095 minute

Women Team B - 1.03.796 minute