By Marcus Choo (Captain), Lynette Some (Captain), Chin Xu Sheng (Vice-Captain), Liew Kate Lynn (Vice-Captain)
The Raffles Institution Swim Team (RIST) is amongst the oldest and most established CCAs in Raffles Institution. RIST consists of self-disciplined and resilient Rafflesians coming from different backgrounds that strive to give their best in the water for Raffles.
Coming to school with bulky swim bags and wet hair after morning practice, we swimmers are easily recognised wherever we go. Prominent swimmers in the Singapore swimming scene that are also alumni of RIST include Quah Ting Wen and Glen Lim.
Swimming at a competitive level requires tremendous hard work and dedication. While other CCAs have two to three training sessions weekly, swimmers hit the pool about six to ten times a week, often once in the morning before school and again in the evening after school. On top of our intense training schedules, we have to learn how to juggle our school work and social lives.
As swimmers, we face our fair share of problems that require unwavering persistence and grit to overcome. So, a valuable lesson that most swimmers will learn in their journey is the importance of time management and the need to be on task.
Although swimming is an individual sport, being in RIST allows us to be in a team where we encourage and push one another onwards, as we fully understand the challenges related to this sport. This fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, where every member feels a sense of belonging to a larger community.
Even though we train at our respective clubs, it is still crucial that we train together as a team to strengthen our bonds. From the start of the year until the National School Games, we hold combined training sessions every other Wednesday from 5:30 am to 7:30 am at the RI pool. These sessions allow RIST swimmers to practice as a group and participate in bonding activities like pool games.
Outside of training, we organize gatherings for members to catch up with each other amidst their hectic schedules. These gatherings also help us rest, recharge and most importantly, build stronger bonds with one another.
Swimming through this journey has undoubtedly forged many fond memories for us swimmers, and we can confidently say that RIST will play a significant role in our future life.
In the recent National School Games, our swimmers fought hard and managed to clinch both the Boys’ and Girls’ A Division championships, with the boys winning the championship for the first time in over a decade.
Several of our swimmers have also represented Singapore at various international competitions such as the ASEAN School Games in Da Nang, Vietnam, as well as the Junior Pan-Pacific Championships in Canberra, Australia.
Training six to ten times a week is definitely challenging, but fret not, as we welcome swimmers from all competitive levels. Even if you’re currently training only twice or thrice a week, you’re still very much welcome in our swim team. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how much time you want to dedicate to this sport.
There are no physical trials involved in the selection process; all you need is a competitive swimming background with official timings from past competitions. If you meet these requirements, don’t hesitate – join us.
See you in the pool!
