My Coach (this was my first blog, end 2007)

Bestest coach I had ever had. Being a volunteer coach, he has done more than anyone could have. His passion for ROWING is above anything else. He had been rowing coach since SEA games 1997. And coaching continues till today. Sad to say, but we could not at least repay him with a single medal.

I got to know coach in PISA e-rowing championship.Emerging 3rd as a first-timer, I accidentally got involved with the national rowing team.That was when it began. Manila Seagame 2005 was my ever first SEA game outing for rowing. Paired with my partner, we took part in lw2x, w2x, w1x, lw1x; however got last placing for all the races. We had trained hard, but was not enough for that race. Back to Msia, we were full of determination to train even harder for next time."She is not experienced enough for this sea game. Give her another year to buck up".. that was what coach’s word.

BATU DAM - true enough, 2007 was tougher preparation for SEA game. 5 girls, 7 guys… we trained regularly.. battling monthly ergo tests, water tests.. Coach comes down to monitor us, his children. His weekends are wasted on coaching us. Coach’s SMS: Ergo test this saturday.. Us : ~~scared of test~~.. Performance recorded, skills polished. Coach is not stern, and us children are like frens. However, once training instruction comes out from him; we eventually follow. As time comes nearer towards SEA game, monthly tests became weekly tests. More intensity, more speed, more fatigue. We still continued. Athlete students needs to struggle between exams & trainings. Working athlete between work & training. But working coach, within coaching (12 children-5boats), career, family & his new born(a super lightweight women single sculler).

Coach’s schedule: Weekday, without fail, 6.30am on water, 9am-8pm in office, sumtimes evening coaches at UTM/dam, night with family. Weekend : 8am on water, 10am on water, 1pm back to home, 4pm on water, 7pm back to home.. My schedule: weekday, 6.30am on water, 9am-5pm office, 7-9pm jog/weight training/ergo. weekend: fulltime athlete at dam. His hope: a bronze at least, Our result: into finals, but no medal. For my case, I was near there, but others were super strong. Felt so bad for not performing as I should be. Other boats performed their best, but still not good enough.

Last quarter of 2007 was pure training & speedwork. We worked hard towards Seagame, but failed. We, all of us really hope that at least a medal, to repay what he had poured out for rowing this far. Own money forked out to support us children. Food, shelter, sometimes provided by coach when sports politic turns bad. There is no end if to list what he had done.Just that I am so sorry for not getting near to that medal that we desperately want.

Beginning 2008 will be the next chapter of coach’s life. New place, new career, new environment, new people. Frequent travelling. Of course, we here will be like anak ayam kehilangan ibu. Rowing means so much to us. Coach means as much as well.. He is not only a rowing coach, his coaching covers triathlon, adventure racing as well. He encouraged us to participate outdoor race during off season(well.. like all other stubborn child, guess I was the most stubborn of all, goin for illegal races without him knowing during on season… going for races with possible injury threats although rowing comp is near).. My origin was an adventure racer, I had rowing as my second sports at first. But, i felt in love with rowing so much, that I miss that splash of water when oars hit the water.. the feeling is so addictive.. He had introduced me the whole book of competitive rowing. Groomed me from nothing to a competitive rower.We wish coach all the best in future.. Once a rower, always a rower. Once a coach, always a coach in our heart..