NUS Lifesaving

i remember 10 years ago, i was a little 12 year old boy, swimming for school. Half hour before my event, we would be called to the shallow pool to do our warmups. then, some fierce looking teacher would command us to sit in rows, about 5 heats before.

There, we would wait for our event to come. Competitors would be shaking legs, hands, heads, looking nervous but trying to look ZAI so that the others would be scared. Everyone would have their own rituals. Some would sit quietly, stare into the sky and start murmuring gibberish. personally, i would juz try to appear nonchalant wearing only my trunks!

"Pee-Pee-Pee!!! "

Up we went on the starting block. heart pounding, i could barely hear my mum shout my name.

"Take your mark! POOOOORRRR"

Off we went, and for that 1 minute, all i could see was the wall in front of me. all i could hear was the roar of water past my ears. all i could feel and smell was the flow of cool chlorinated water. all i wanted was to finish it as fast as i could.

10 years on, i'm back on the starting block.

to all who are going to climb up the starting block (or start below), rest well tonight and good luck!