Over 300 take part in dragon boat initiative

SINGAPORE - Minister in the Prime Minister's Office & Advisor to Yuhua Grassroots Organisations Grace Fu took part in a special dragon boat event organised by students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Welfare Services Club (WSC) on Sunday.

The 12th Challenge ur Limits (CurL) initiative was held together with the People's Association (PA) Water-Venture, and saw over 300 participants from beneficiaries, volunteers and corporations.

"Initiated by students, Challenge ur Limits (CurL) aims to create opportunities for the community to interact with special needs individuals and participate in exciting activities that will challenge both their mental and physical limits. This also creates a platform for the public to have a deeper understanding of people with special needs, to see past their physical limitations and appreciate their mental determination and strength they have for life," said NTU Associate Provost (Student Life), Associate Professor Kwok Kian Woon. ​

Ms Grace Fu joined the special needs participants to the waters, paddling alongside them in the race. "It is remarkable to see the determination and passion displayed by the special needs participants and I am truly humbled to be paddling with them," said Ms Fu.

This year's CurL saw participation from Singapore Disability Sports Council, Special Olympics, Pathlight School, Delta Senior School and Christian Outreach to the Handicapped, along with corporations from the public and private sector such as Land Transport Authority, Housing Development Board, DSO National Laboratories, Hewlett Packard and Tiong Seng Holdings Limited.

A total of nine dragon boat teams, formed by a mix of the above beneficiaries and corporations and volunteers from NTU, worked together to push their limits to cross the finishing line.

Mr Foo Zhan Wei, 23, an athlete with Down Syndrome from Special Olympics, said: "CurL allowed me to challenge my own limits and it teaches me to be brave when attempting new things. My interest for dragon boating has grown since my recent participation at PA PAddleFest and I'm glad that CurL has decided to bring dragon boating back this year. Through such events, I got to know my teammates better and also made new friends with other volunteers and participants."

ljessica@sph.com.sg