Canoeing

Hwa Chong Canoeing. Experience, journey, family — it’s hard to put a finger on any one characteristic that defines HCanoe, because there’s an unparalleled richness to this team that we’ve come to hold close to our heart. Beyond just being a CCA, canoeing is a lifestyle. The discipline, tenacity and rigour required may seem daunting to many: training from the break of dawn while keeping up with academics and maintaining a good sleep cycle seems almost impossible. Yet, this is what it means to be a canoeist. Embracing challenges, pushing our limits and achieving excellence. At the same time, it is precisely these challenges that make it all worthwhile.

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Canoeing is arguably one of the most therapeutic sports Hwa Chong has to offer — slicing through the tranquil waters of Macritchie as you watch the sun gradually illuminate the sky is truly as cathartic as it gets; the camaraderie of being part of a team of one mind is a bond like no other. Canoeing is a sport that rewards hard work and resilience. It teaches you life lessons beyond the classroom. Not only is Hwa Chong Canoeing a traditional powerhouse in the canoeing scene, we are also one of the most formidable Hwa Chong CCAs, both on land and on water. Yet, we are champions not by mere merit of “superstar”, experienced paddlers, but rather the dedication and spirit of the collective team. (You may be surprised to find that the majority of the girls’ team have never taken up a sports CCA before!)

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Each and every single Hwa Chong canoeist has a vital role to play in our narrative and in the HCanoe legacy. Unlike the heavy and bulky sit-on kayaks and paddles you might have tried in your OBS, we get the privilege of using a fleet of lightweight, Olympic-grade boats and paddles. Afraid that you won’t be able to use such equipment properly? Well, fret not: because the skills needed to use the equipment can be mastered within the span of a year so newcomers can excel in this sport too! Additionally, you’ll find that many canoeists hold on very strongly to their identity. Because when you go through so much together as a team, you forge the strongest bonds that you’ll probably ever find and HCanoe becomes a second family. Check out our Humans of HCanoe series on Instagram at @h.canoe, to catch a glimpse of the lives of our team members. Contrary to common perception, HCanoe isn’t just about building muscle or fitness — holistic personal growth holds equal weightage in our CCA journey. Pre-COVID, we were the proud organisers of a myriad of activities — from our SL project, the 24hr Static Kayaking Challenge (one of the biggest student run SL in Singapore), to camps, Past Versus Present, and even a team OCIP trip, creating an eventful and meaningful journey for us. With the advent of COVID-19, our team embodied the spirit of 自强不息 and came up with a plethora of initiatives — from our very own HCanoe Run Challenge, to alumni sharings and even HCanoe Shares (a series of engaging presentations prepared by our own A div members) — to ensure the continued holistic and intellectual development of our members. 

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So come and give us your best shot! Joining canoeing may seem daunting, but what you will experience and discover about yourself may very well shape your entire Hwa Chong story. The HCanoe family welcomes all who are willing to try, willing to strive, and willing to fight.