By Zhong Ruoxi (25A01D), Elizabeth Ong Kai Ning (25S03C), Tan Xing You (25S06I), Kua Hong Rui (25S03M), Dylan Lie (25S06M), Wong Teng Yi (25S06R) (2025 EXCO members)
“Last charge!”
The team’s adrenaline fuels their powerful, synchronised strokes as their heartbeats follow the unwavering pulse of the drum. The boat surges forward through the final 50-meter stretch. As every paddler shouts with all their might, the cheers and cries of your teammates push you to paddle even harder.
Threatened by fatigue, you fight on, willing your muscles not to give out on your team and yourself. And before you know it…
“Easy!”
You have crossed the finish line. An overwhelming sense of pride and joy washes over you as you beam at your teammates.
Welcome to Raffles Dragonboat! RIDB is more than just a sport. We are a close-knit community who paddle together through the hardest waters as one team and one family.
Dragonboating is a water sport that originated in China over 2000 years ago. As part of rituals to honour the poet Qu Yuan, it involved paddling long, narrow wooden boats adorned with dragon heads and tails. Today, what began as a ceremonial ritual has become a global competitive sport, where teams of up to 20 paddlers race against each other to the beat of drums, over race distances ranging from 200m to 10km.
In Singapore, we have a vibrant local paddling scene which holds several dragonboat races throughout the year. As a school team, we take part in both the annual National Inter-Schools Championships and the Pesta Sukan races, which are 200m sprint races. Currently, we hold the titles for National Inter-Schools A Division Girls 12 crew and 24 crew champions, as well as the silver medal for A Division Boys 12 crew.
Here at RI, Dragonboating is a developmental sport, which means that there are no prerequisites for joining the team. We are not looking for those with the strongest arms, but rather, those with the strongest hearts – the passionate, the resilient and the committed. We believe that every paddler plays a role in driving the boat forward, bringing out the best in each other as we push each other to our limits.
Or, as some of us say: we train through the rains and pains in order to make gains.
Our team trains 3 times a week, with land training on Monday, and water training on Wednesday and Fridays. Our training sessions usually last for at least 2 hours each. Land training is held at the school gym and we complete circuit workouts consisting of cardio and weight training. Water sessions take place at either Kallang Water Sports Centre (KWSC) or Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA), where we practice our techniques and synchronisation on the water.
If you are committed to join DBest team, Raffles Dragonboating has a seat for you in our boat. PRESS PRESS PRESS, RAFFLES!
