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A Day On The Dragon Boat, 13 July 2024

A Day On The Dragon Boat, 13 July 2024

dragonboat paddling photo
On 13 July 2024, CaringSG and volunteers from the Kallang Water Sports Centre organised a fun-filled afternoon on the Dragon Boat for 14 caregivers and 9 care recipients.
 
Being able to participate in an inclusive family activity with other caregivers and families was an event that many caregivers were looking forward to. The weather on that day was sunny, and everyone was excited to get on the dragon boat!
 
Before they started the dragon boat activity, there was a short briefing on how to paddle and safety procedures to note. The 23 participants, followed by volunteers, then carefully boarded two dragon boats and paddled around the Kallang River for almost two hours!
 
While in the middle of the Kallang River, caregivers and care recipients were further taught the techniques of paddling well, such as keeping our leading arm straight, and not paddling past our mid-thigh. Some care recipients took the training very seriously and diligently reminded their caregivers to practise good arm posture during the paddling!
 
The participants also learnt how to position their legs (one stretched out and the other at right angles to the floor) and twist their torso during paddling, using their core muscles instead of depending on just the biceps to pull the paddle through the water.
 
The volunteers, positioned at the front and back of the boat, provided extra thrust to support the caregivers and care recipients during paddling. During the activity, the participants counted the number of strokes together, with adequate rest in between sets of anywhere between 30 to 80 strokes.
 
During these rest breaks, participants admired the scenery, against a 360-degree backdrop of the National Stadium, Merdeka Bridge, Tanjong Rhu and Kallang Park.
 

Not only did they get to feel the lovely sea breeze and sun on their faces, they were also treated to sights such as watching hawks circling overhead, kingfishers swooping into the river to catch fish, and watching different groups of professionals who were dragon boating nearby.

The instructor also took time to let each pair of caregivers and their care recipients paddle at a time, while the rest of us counted to ten and heartedly clapped to show our appreciation for their teamwork and effort.
 
Towards the end of the activity, the two boats took a group photo before competing in a mini race for 220 metres.
 
As the participants rowed back to the dock, there was a sense of achievement and camaraderie among the participants, many of whom were meeting each other for the first time. They had paddled for almost 2 hours, learnt new dragon boat skills together, experienced the sunny sights of Kallang River, get a good breath of fresh air, and completed a good whole body workout!
 
We are glad to organise such a fun inclusive outing for the 23 participants, and look forward to seeing more caregivers and families in our future events.
This CAREconnect event was also organised and supported by 4 CaringSG staff and 2 CAREchampions (caregiver volunteers).

Stay tuned for more CaringSG events that you can attend!

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Paddle & Clean with Singapore Paddle Club on 8 October 2023

Paddle & Clean with Singapore Paddle Club on 8 October 2023

Instead of the usual land activities, CaringSG partnered with 10 volunteers from the Singapore Paddle Club (SPC) on 8 October 2023 to bring caregivers and their care recipients out to sea!

Spending Sunday afternoon immersed in nature can be a rejuvenating experience, especially for caregivers who are always busy with their usual routine and caregiving duties. The excited group first met at the Ola Beach Club at Sentosa where the SPC volunteers conducted a safety briefing as well as a quick training session on how to use a paddle to propel the outrigger canoe effectively.

Many caregivers had not paddled with their loved ones before and therefore it was indeed a refreshing and new experience for them. Paddling together as a family not only fostered cooperation, communication, and shared enjoyment, it also provided them with the mental refreshment that came from being outdoor at sea. The sea, with its vastness and tranquillity, has a way of quieting the mind and reducing stress levels.

Even though the weather was extremely hot on that day, everyone had tons of fun interacting with one another and having a good body workout!

A total of 19 caregivers and their care recipients turned up for the event, which was run with the support from 3 CAREkakis from the Telok Blangah Grassroots Organisation, 3 CaringSG staff and 1 CAREchampion.

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