Row, Row, Row Your Canoe

SGT Abigail Chen(R) and her double partner Ms Yeung Xintian(L) proudly showing off their hard earned Asian Championship medal in the event

SGT Abigail Chen, a Jurong Fire Station Paramedic, represented Singapore in the 2011 ICF (International Canoe Federation) Canoe Marathon World Championships 19^th edition, which was held for the first time in Asia at Marina Reservoir from 21 – 23 October. SGT Chen participated in the K2 Women’s Senior (Doubles) event, which comprised six laps and six portages (carrying a canoe) totalling 25.6km. Fourteen teams including seasoned champions competed for the world title in this event, with Japan and Singapore as the sole Asian competitors. SGT Chen and her doubles partner Ms Yeung Xintian managed to come in at a respectable ninth placing with a timing of 2:17:47, beating the Japanese to win the Asian Title. Having taken up the sport only in 2008 and with some competitions under her belt, this was the best result thus far for SGT Abigail Chen.

To train for the world championships, she adhered to a strict and tough training regime. On her off-duty days, or even prior to her duty, she would be at the Kallang River or MacRitchie Reservoir to train with the national team. Training included paddling sessions, weight training, running and swimming. The intensity and distances varied from short sprints of 15 seconds to endurance training for 30km. The race planning involved having the necessary nutrition and fluid intake during the race to maintain an optimal energy level.

All the training paid off in style for SGT Chen, whose goal is to qualify for the next championships in Rome next September. Her doubles pairing is also training hard for a timing of 2:05:00 to stand a chance of finishing among the top few in the event.

SSG Shahrul Nasry is a Section Commander in Jurong Fire Station. (Credit: Singapore Press Holdings Ltd for The Straits Times article).