Windsurfing!
Managed to join up with Shingles and several other True-Blue ACSians for a combined "first time effort at windsurfing". It was a great experience despite all the nonsense and feelings each of us had to go through. I guess its always a great feeling to meet up with people from my batch, or even former ACSians a few years older or younger than us. There like, this common identity, this common bond.
The best thing is that more or less everyone is on the same wavelength. The jokes are always on the same topics: "What we did when we zaoed school that time" and all the hilarious and funny incidents that we more or less can relate to. Some jokes never change. Like Daniel Khor's physics lectures, or else Mass PE as well as to catching up on the current state of our lives.
Funny thing was that I though I ought not to wear an AC shirt. So I just packed it into my bag. When I met up with everyone eventually. Everyone had either worn an AC Shirt or had packed one into their bags as well! And even though my CCA shirt is way too small for me to wear outside, I still often just wear it at home, as a form of memory. Even the Reverend Norman Wong has his hockey jersey from 30 years back. Another interesting trait indeed.
At first I wasn't particularly keen on windsurfing. Especially since it isn't so cheap and at the same time figured that saving the money for photographic equipment was better. Yet, I guess the necessary outdoor exposure in one's youth does benefit the mind and the body in all ways. As much as I am more or less a more theoretical and office bound person, all the more I ought to expose myself to more outdoor activities.
One of my good friends on the short trip was Mark. He's now probably one of the most successful NSmen in the whole school. When people talk about going to OCS, he has already gardnered a contract from the Air Force to be a Fighter Combat Pilot. Prestigious indeed. This joker passed his driving test a little less than a month ago and so he was the guy to pick up everyone else in his 20 year old "Ferrarri" from all over the island and bring us to our destination.
Besides all the guys from my batch that have just passed their driving and have that ugly P-plate on their front and rear windscreens. I notice the similarities in the driving style: They simply love to speed. An average of perhaps 25 to 40 percent above the speed limit on the highway. Maybe its them. Maybe its just everyone. After all, if you did 90 on the PIE, you'd probably be the slowest vehicle on the road after the 10 tonne truck who is doing 80. It was fun, because we missed the turning off the PIE and spent about half an hour trying to navigate our way back! Hahahaha!
Once we arrived, more or less it just took some time for us to get pass the safety briefings into the technical details of windsurfing. And after taking and assembling the various surfing equipment, we eventually started our feeble attempts at attempting to master the wind to ride upon the waves. If I could summarise everything I learnt. It would be this: Get your balance right and have a great ride! Its not easy to even balance on the surfboard. Plus, its rather slippery too. All of us fell into the water within 5 minutes of launching our surf boards into the sea. It seemed that none of us had this inert ability to balance on the surfboard. This doesn't even account into raising the mast with the sail yet!
Everyone else we saw on the beach was simply launching and having a great time going out into the open sea. As beginners, it looked so deceivingly simply and easy. Eventually, Mark was the first to get the hang of the balancing and managed to sail off for about 10 meters before realising that he doesn't know how to execute a turn and loses his balance whilst doing so and falls into the water.
I feel so many times into the water that I lost count. Almost felt like a recollection of my Mount Ophir climb where I just kept losing my footing and ended up falling over. Its a funny feeling crashing into the sea with the mast and all and waking up in an air bubble created by the sail. Actually, it was hilarious at first, since we mocked at each other's feeble attempts to set sail. Eventually, all that falling into the sea and climbing back up onto the surf board really tired us out and then we didnt' feel like windsurfing anymore.
After additional "lessons" on how to execute a turn in the water. The weather became really dark and a heavy downpour ensued. Just before the heavy downpour, the wind was so strong that we could see expert windsurfers clocking in at 60 to 70 km/h. We were in the water when I saw a bolt of lighting strike the sea. Strangely, we didn't feel anything. After that we all just went ashore to seek the safety of shelter. As it was a passing shower, very soon, ideal surfing conditions returned and we were back into the sea. This time, with slightly better results.
I managed only to surf about 50 meters in total throughout the whole day. Very often, it would be a 2 or 3 meter surf and then I would lose my balance and end up in the sea. It was ok falling into the sea. Although a little bit more discouraging each time. Eventually after a while, almost all of us except Mark gave up and we all just sat at the shore, enjoying the scenery. Then just lying on the surfboard and drifting until the waves crashed us onto the shores of the beach. I guess its not really how great the activity really is, but more towards how much quality time is spent with good friends.
I realise that the seawater was really really salty. And after a while understood why. Just next to the sailing center was two large pipes that brought treated effluent to be discharged into the sea. I don't understand why can't the pipes be built further out to release the dirty water into deeper sea, instead of polluting the shallow water were people congregate. The beach wasn't exactly in good condition either. It was strewn all over with dirt as well as the mud underwater was mirred in plastic bags of all kinds. Singapore beaches are really a disaster. Its great to go cycling, running, jogging or even having a barbeque by the beach. But do not swim. The water just cannot make it. I can't even see my feet through 40 cm of water.
As surfing was a whole day event. And by the end of the day, we were all so tired out from all repeated action to climb back onto our surfboards after falling into the sea. We all just washed down and changed into all manners of AC Shirts! Then Mark decided to drive us all back. The weather was really nice. I do notice, that the heat is slowly receeding and our evening skies are looking nicer.
Nevertheless. Somehow, we ended up racing with another car. A Mazda MX-5. So we had Marks 20 year old beat up Ferrari with 5 people inside. And we were racing against a two seater MX-5. This happened all the way down the ECP and the PIE. I don't know what's with guys and speed. But I do know that its probably all about ego and personal pride. As though who gets a headstart first from a red light is better than the other. Anyway, Mark's a great driver. Since he's a pilot and he routinely his take off speed is at 290 km/h and above. Doing half of that in a Ferrari really isn't and issue.
We only got overtaken once by that silly MX-5. Anyway, I was too busy taking photographs (as usual) to notice that it was actually quite far in front of us when I was busy snapping the scenery of the City from the expressway. In the end, Mark attempted a dangerous 4 lane change just to overtake them. With the rest in the back cheering madly. Ah. I hope I don't become a speedster driver when I pass. Safety is paramount. No point saving a few seconds only to put the lives of others in danger.
Overall it was a great time. I enjoyed myself very much even though it was nothing more than falling into the sea from a surf board and that it burnt a small hole into my pocket. Maybe next time we'll do more sea activities like scuba-diving, sailing, motorised sailing, fishing, kayaking and swimming. I think I'll have to invest in an under water camera soon as well.
Managed to join up with Shingles and several other True-Blue ACSians for a combined "first time effort at windsurfing". It was a great experience despite all the nonsense and feelings each of us had to go through. I guess its always a great feeling to meet up with people from my batch, or even former ACSians a few years older or younger than us. There like, this common identity, this common bond.
The best thing is that more or less everyone is on the same wavelength. The jokes are always on the same topics: "What we did when we zaoed school that time" and all the hilarious and funny incidents that we more or less can relate to. Some jokes never change. Like Daniel Khor's physics lectures, or else Mass PE as well as to catching up on the current state of our lives.
Funny thing was that I though I ought not to wear an AC shirt. So I just packed it into my bag. When I met up with everyone eventually. Everyone had either worn an AC Shirt or had packed one into their bags as well! And even though my CCA shirt is way too small for me to wear outside, I still often just wear it at home, as a form of memory. Even the Reverend Norman Wong has his hockey jersey from 30 years back. Another interesting trait indeed.
At first I wasn't particularly keen on windsurfing. Especially since it isn't so cheap and at the same time figured that saving the money for photographic equipment was better. Yet, I guess the necessary outdoor exposure in one's youth does benefit the mind and the body in all ways. As much as I am more or less a more theoretical and office bound person, all the more I ought to expose myself to more outdoor activities.
One of my good friends on the short trip was Mark. He's now probably one of the most successful NSmen in the whole school. When people talk about going to OCS, he has already gardnered a contract from the Air Force to be a Fighter Combat Pilot. Prestigious indeed. This joker passed his driving test a little less than a month ago and so he was the guy to pick up everyone else in his 20 year old "Ferrarri" from all over the island and bring us to our destination.
Besides all the guys from my batch that have just passed their driving and have that ugly P-plate on their front and rear windscreens. I notice the similarities in the driving style: They simply love to speed. An average of perhaps 25 to 40 percent above the speed limit on the highway. Maybe its them. Maybe its just everyone. After all, if you did 90 on the PIE, you'd probably be the slowest vehicle on the road after the 10 tonne truck who is doing 80. It was fun, because we missed the turning off the PIE and spent about half an hour trying to navigate our way back! Hahahaha!
Once we arrived, more or less it just took some time for us to get pass the safety briefings into the technical details of windsurfing. And after taking and assembling the various surfing equipment, we eventually started our feeble attempts at attempting to master the wind to ride upon the waves. If I could summarise everything I learnt. It would be this: Get your balance right and have a great ride! Its not easy to even balance on the surfboard. Plus, its rather slippery too. All of us fell into the water within 5 minutes of launching our surf boards into the sea. It seemed that none of us had this inert ability to balance on the surfboard. This doesn't even account into raising the mast with the sail yet!
Everyone else we saw on the beach was simply launching and having a great time going out into the open sea. As beginners, it looked so deceivingly simply and easy. Eventually, Mark was the first to get the hang of the balancing and managed to sail off for about 10 meters before realising that he doesn't know how to execute a turn and loses his balance whilst doing so and falls into the water.
I feel so many times into the water that I lost count. Almost felt like a recollection of my Mount Ophir climb where I just kept losing my footing and ended up falling over. Its a funny feeling crashing into the sea with the mast and all and waking up in an air bubble created by the sail. Actually, it was hilarious at first, since we mocked at each other's feeble attempts to set sail. Eventually, all that falling into the sea and climbing back up onto the surf board really tired us out and then we didnt' feel like windsurfing anymore.
After additional "lessons" on how to execute a turn in the water. The weather became really dark and a heavy downpour ensued. Just before the heavy downpour, the wind was so strong that we could see expert windsurfers clocking in at 60 to 70 km/h. We were in the water when I saw a bolt of lighting strike the sea. Strangely, we didn't feel anything. After that we all just went ashore to seek the safety of shelter. As it was a passing shower, very soon, ideal surfing conditions returned and we were back into the sea. This time, with slightly better results.
I managed only to surf about 50 meters in total throughout the whole day. Very often, it would be a 2 or 3 meter surf and then I would lose my balance and end up in the sea. It was ok falling into the sea. Although a little bit more discouraging each time. Eventually after a while, almost all of us except Mark gave up and we all just sat at the shore, enjoying the scenery. Then just lying on the surfboard and drifting until the waves crashed us onto the shores of the beach. I guess its not really how great the activity really is, but more towards how much quality time is spent with good friends.
I realise that the seawater was really really salty. And after a while understood why. Just next to the sailing center was two large pipes that brought treated effluent to be discharged into the sea. I don't understand why can't the pipes be built further out to release the dirty water into deeper sea, instead of polluting the shallow water were people congregate. The beach wasn't exactly in good condition either. It was strewn all over with dirt as well as the mud underwater was mirred in plastic bags of all kinds. Singapore beaches are really a disaster. Its great to go cycling, running, jogging or even having a barbeque by the beach. But do not swim. The water just cannot make it. I can't even see my feet through 40 cm of water.
As surfing was a whole day event. And by the end of the day, we were all so tired out from all repeated action to climb back onto our surfboards after falling into the sea. We all just washed down and changed into all manners of AC Shirts! Then Mark decided to drive us all back. The weather was really nice. I do notice, that the heat is slowly receeding and our evening skies are looking nicer.
Nevertheless. Somehow, we ended up racing with another car. A Mazda MX-5. So we had Marks 20 year old beat up Ferrari with 5 people inside. And we were racing against a two seater MX-5. This happened all the way down the ECP and the PIE. I don't know what's with guys and speed. But I do know that its probably all about ego and personal pride. As though who gets a headstart first from a red light is better than the other. Anyway, Mark's a great driver. Since he's a pilot and he routinely his take off speed is at 290 km/h and above. Doing half of that in a Ferrari really isn't and issue.
We only got overtaken once by that silly MX-5. Anyway, I was too busy taking photographs (as usual) to notice that it was actually quite far in front of us when I was busy snapping the scenery of the City from the expressway. In the end, Mark attempted a dangerous 4 lane change just to overtake them. With the rest in the back cheering madly. Ah. I hope I don't become a speedster driver when I pass. Safety is paramount. No point saving a few seconds only to put the lives of others in danger.
Overall it was a great time. I enjoyed myself very much even though it was nothing more than falling into the sea from a surf board and that it burnt a small hole into my pocket. Maybe next time we'll do more sea activities like scuba-diving, sailing, motorised sailing, fishing, kayaking and swimming. I think I'll have to invest in an under water camera soon as well.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home