Kayaking 2007
On 24 June 2007, our cadets participated in the one star Kayaking course and here is one of their reflections.
一
One of the milestones in our NPCC life is marked with our first one star kayaking course. In order to fill up our June holidays with bustling activities, O.C Miss Poh organised a one star kayaking for all secondary 3 cadets. Both kayaking sessions were held on warm sunny Saturdays which one would enjoy getting tanned by the sun. We had two kayaking instructors, Patricia and Valerie, qualified kayakers.
Before the actual activity started, both our kayaking instructors introduced to us the different parts of the kayaks, i.e. bow, stern, thigh braces, cockpit etc.; and also the parts of a paddle. Basic safety issues were raised too. We were then taught the theoretical methods to paddle a kayak. We were tasked to carry a kayak for everyone to the jetty; before choosing suitable paddles for each of us. Soon, having brought our food items and drinks along, we were ready to set off!
It was a scary first experience as we had to get ourselves on the kayak admist the choppy waters of Kallang River, seeming fun yet frightening. Initially, being greenhorns, we did not succeed in paddling ourselves forward together with the instructor, Patricia. Nevertheless, we got the hang of it and overcame our first fears of kayaking. We advanced to deeper waters with the aid of our instructors.
We were taught the proper way to forward paddle: just like drawing the outline of the kayak with a big pencil (the paddle). We were taught to "raft up" and we did so with the help of pulling each other's paddle :D Soon we were taught how to backward paddle. In the midst of practicing, one of us accidentally capsized head-down into the water. Everybody was shocked and at a lost of what to do. Fortunately, our experienced kayaking instructors managed to "save her" and help her re-enter the kayak again.
We kayaked to shore and had a break there. We were thankful that we could get to land and not face the dangers of the choppy waters. Time flew quickly and we had to resume our kayaking practice.
Since we were near the shore, we were taught the capsize drill which involved an overturn of the whole kayak, tapping on the hull three times and holding the paddle to attract attention for help. We were also taught the appropriate conditions to as to perform the capsize drill such as the depth of the water and without the presence of another person near. I did the capsize drill two times as I had forgotten one of the major steps during the first try. -.-'''
The following session, we had more confdence in kayaking and we took a quicker time to "raft up" as compared to the first session. Both instructors imparted the skill of "J-draw" and "Classic draw"; which was a skill to aid us in moving sideways in the kayak. These two skills proved useful in helping us to "raft up". We were even more efficient in rafting up this time round.
Our instructors proceeded to teach us how to rescue a victim; so that we would not feel at a lost of what to do if somebody capsize. Types of rescue methods included the "rafted t-x"; there were 3 roles: main rescuer, assistant rescuer and the victim. The victim and the assistant rescuer would have to listen to the main rescuer's instructions., allowing for the rescue excercise to be smooth. As the victim, I had to learn how to re-enter my kayak; while being the assistant I had to help hasten the process; and being the main rescuer I was the one taking charge of the rescue exercise.
The course taught me some life skills in which I may use in future; for instance, to persevere on, teamwork was essential in achieving many things, self-confidence was the most basic of all. If the main rescuer had no confidence in giving clear instructions to save the victim, the victim will never be saved. Also, if teamwork and rapport was not displayed, the rescuers will not be able to save the victim.
- CPL (NPCC) Ng Ray Seen
一
One of the milestones in our NPCC life is marked with our first one star kayaking course. In order to fill up our June holidays with bustling activities, O.C Miss Poh organised a one star kayaking for all secondary 3 cadets. Both kayaking sessions were held on warm sunny Saturdays which one would enjoy getting tanned by the sun. We had two kayaking instructors, Patricia and Valerie, qualified kayakers.
Before the actual activity started, both our kayaking instructors introduced to us the different parts of the kayaks, i.e. bow, stern, thigh braces, cockpit etc.; and also the parts of a paddle. Basic safety issues were raised too. We were then taught the theoretical methods to paddle a kayak. We were tasked to carry a kayak for everyone to the jetty; before choosing suitable paddles for each of us. Soon, having brought our food items and drinks along, we were ready to set off!
It was a scary first experience as we had to get ourselves on the kayak admist the choppy waters of Kallang River, seeming fun yet frightening. Initially, being greenhorns, we did not succeed in paddling ourselves forward together with the instructor, Patricia. Nevertheless, we got the hang of it and overcame our first fears of kayaking. We advanced to deeper waters with the aid of our instructors.
We were taught the proper way to forward paddle: just like drawing the outline of the kayak with a big pencil (the paddle). We were taught to "raft up" and we did so with the help of pulling each other's paddle :D Soon we were taught how to backward paddle. In the midst of practicing, one of us accidentally capsized head-down into the water. Everybody was shocked and at a lost of what to do. Fortunately, our experienced kayaking instructors managed to "save her" and help her re-enter the kayak again.
We kayaked to shore and had a break there. We were thankful that we could get to land and not face the dangers of the choppy waters. Time flew quickly and we had to resume our kayaking practice.
Since we were near the shore, we were taught the capsize drill which involved an overturn of the whole kayak, tapping on the hull three times and holding the paddle to attract attention for help. We were also taught the appropriate conditions to as to perform the capsize drill such as the depth of the water and without the presence of another person near. I did the capsize drill two times as I had forgotten one of the major steps during the first try. -.-'''
The following session, we had more confdence in kayaking and we took a quicker time to "raft up" as compared to the first session. Both instructors imparted the skill of "J-draw" and "Classic draw"; which was a skill to aid us in moving sideways in the kayak. These two skills proved useful in helping us to "raft up". We were even more efficient in rafting up this time round.
Our instructors proceeded to teach us how to rescue a victim; so that we would not feel at a lost of what to do if somebody capsize. Types of rescue methods included the "rafted t-x"; there were 3 roles: main rescuer, assistant rescuer and the victim. The victim and the assistant rescuer would have to listen to the main rescuer's instructions., allowing for the rescue excercise to be smooth. As the victim, I had to learn how to re-enter my kayak; while being the assistant I had to help hasten the process; and being the main rescuer I was the one taking charge of the rescue exercise.
The course taught me some life skills in which I may use in future; for instance, to persevere on, teamwork was essential in achieving many things, self-confidence was the most basic of all. If the main rescuer had no confidence in giving clear instructions to save the victim, the victim will never be saved. Also, if teamwork and rapport was not displayed, the rescuers will not be able to save the victim.
- CPL (NPCC) Ng Ray Seen
