Paddle Events

Long distance paddle challenge for those who can't get enough.

This one is for mad dogs and other paddle animals. Participating teams paddle a 20-crew-boat over a distance of 10 kilometers, trying to reach the finishing line within less than 60 minutes. Teams coming in within the 50+ minutes range won't be among the first, for that you need to be in the 40+ range. The race course is set up at the Marina Reservoir, so one paddles from Kallang towards the Merlion, from there towards the Barrage and back to the finishing line somewhere in Kallang again. It is a tough job not only for the cox but for the paddlers as well, as it requires serious stamina and endurance. Participants have been seen throwing up when getting off the boat and people talk about numbness in the face, dizzyness and other rewards, while trying to recover after this race. There is a reason why one of the after-race-t-shirts carries the line "i survived the 10K challenge".

However, once you have regularly paddled over a period of say 6 months and more, you really should take on this challenge. It sounds more scary than it actually is. Consider this: a common 2 hours of water training already mean some 8 kilometers of distance done, even if there were breaks in between. At the end, doing 10K in one go is a matter of an adjusted stroke rate, good hydration beforehand and continuous focus on the boat and the boat captain's commands. So, if you haven't done it yet, sign up for it this time round. You can do it too.