First major regatta away from the shores of Singapore:

SSR was damning experience. We didn't clinch first place but I genuinely learnt a lot from the people around me. I think that was eventually what we wanted. Every race was a brand new start to make amends and we learnt to sail our own race and do it for ourselves instead of looking out for the speeds of other boats out at sea. Well, besides the fresh cuts and bruises that blossomed under my skin, I got way darker and maybe more muscular (note: not buff). But I would do it all over again despite the struggle to fall back in pace with school work after missing a week of school when the semester just kicked off. Not to mention those withdrawal symptoms we all had from SSR, complaining in the library that we wish we were back at Nongsa. 

Anyway, so we started out by delivering our boats from Raffles Marina to One Deg Fifteen. Then another delivery to Nongsa Point at Batam. We had an average of four races each day for 2 days and we sailed/raced back to Singapore's One Deg. Short respite back at the comfort of our homes for that night (much to the dismay of my parents who felt that their daughter was so burnt and bruised) and then we went back to One Deg for our final two races on Saturday.

At One Degree Fifteen (near Sentosa Cove).

Team Collin and his crew.

Everyone doing their last minute checks before heading off.

"Slow is smooth and SMUve is fast" was our motto for the regatta.

Freshies (missing Andrew that burden).

Boat deliveries on motor are kinda my favourite although we bake under the scorching sun.

Flying the Indonesian flag while delivering our boats to Batam (I had no idea it was so near to Singapore...)

Bel being a good bow and testing the choppy waves.

SMUve playing card games (and snacking) while on our way to Batam.

At Nongsa Point (our chalets were right behind) and unloading our bags.

Sam fixing the bow of SMUmad.

Seafood meal of the night.

A round of Monopoly Deal before our post-race debrief.

Judith's "all-girls" crew.

The platus united on our last night at Nongsa.

Vic smiling the widest because JMM won first overall.

So this is how sailors celebrate their victory with the chalice,

and this is what happens afterwards... (Elliott claims he's a sleepy drunk)

Year 4s

Year 3s

Year 2s

Year 1s

Belbel my doppelgänger

Back at One Degree for the final awards presentation and (a loooot of) food.

So that sums up the five days of going through choppy waves with these sailors. (Mushy bit: warning to the sailors who are reading this you know who you are) Despite my ruined skin, bruises and all that in between, I don't regret joining this team. I think it has been the perfect way to get away from schoolwork and all that because SMU Sailing isn't just a CCA, we're family.