Singapore's (and Asia's First) UWR team in the news!

And the team takes the spotlight in today's local news (TWO page coverage!) (The Straits Times, Part D, pp 6 - 7)

And here's an interview on video with Captain Khee explaining the sport: http://vimeo.com/115802107

FATUWR featured on Yahoo Singapore!

Yup, this is my team! I don't have to say anymore, it's all in the write-up. Includes a video too! Click here:  https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-sports/singapore-and-asia-s-first-underwater-rugby-team-makes-a-splash-072018379.html

Underwater Rugby in Singapore, Season 2

After an exciting first season where the sport kicked off in Singapore, the schedule for the next few months of training is out! 

***********AUGUST******

- 2nd August 2014
- 9th August 2014
- 16th August 2014
- 30th August 2014

********SEPTEMBER****

- 6th September 2014

- 13th September 2014

- 27th September 2014

*******OCTOBER********

- 4th October 2014

If you are interested to join, check us out on facebook:  FAT UWR - First Asian Team Underwater Rugby (Singapore) and drop us a note! 

Doesn't matter what level you are, newbies welcome! Fins, mask and snorkel are available for

rent at a small fee if you don't have your own. 

Come join us! 

Back to UWR!

Today we had the first uwr mini-tournament within the team - DURIANS vs CUPCAKES!

Here's what we did in the 2-hour session:

8-845am: Warm-up, Scoring/Goalie drills
845-915am: Warm-up games
915-10am: Cupcakes (blue) vs Durians (white)

The Durians eventually won 7 (or 8) : 2, but it was a great game all around! Attacks by both teams were strong, but team Cupcake's defense had a few holes that the sneaky Durian's managed to slip through. Not next time though! There was a penalty (1-on-1) awarded to the Durians for an illegal move but the Cupcake's goalie (the-one-and-only Khee) defended the goal well for that nail-biting 30s! (Good effort though Kiat Han). 

Looking forward to the next mini-tournament! 

Pictures and videos will follow soon, so stay tuned! 

PS. This was the first session for me since THE CUT. It's good to be back!  

Third time lucky

Last Saturday (24 may) was the 3rd sesh of UWR in Singapore, and things were looking good !! (with no injuries!)  

Some words from Coach Khee: 

"Great Turn-out (15people) and superb Game play yesterday!
It was only the third session and I can proudly announce that UWR in Singapore has some good potential 

Both teams were scoring heaps and the game was intense and attacks back and forth were aggressive." 

Yyyeewwwww!!!!! 

Team shots! Under and above water.

More games to come!!

Underwater Rugby is in Singapore!

Last Saturday (10 May 2014), the first ever Underwater Rugby session in Singapore (and Asia!) was held, organised by a good friend of mine, Khee. There was a grand turnout of 18 people!

I first caught underwater rugby fever in 2011, when I heard from a fellow freediver (Mr Khee himself) about the sport. I thought it sounded pretty cool, so I travelled to Sydney to play with the only UWR team in Australia (at that time).

Things I love about this sport:

It's fast

It's 3-dimensional

It requires teamwork

And of course, it's underwater.

Since then, UWR in Australia has spread to other states and there are now teams in Canberra, Brisbane (kickstarted by yours truly), Tasmania and soon, Melbourne! 

This first game in Singapore was an important start for the sport in Asia. Hopefully, it will only get bigger and we can eventually travel to compete with teams from other countries. 

Unfortunately, I had a little accident that day, aside from the usual scrapes and bruises that come with a game. In the diving pool where we played, there is a little ledge jutting out at about 1m depth, useful for players to stand on while at the surface. Not so useful when you're ascending quickly to get some air. In the heat of the game (and need for air), I completely forgot about the ledge and crashed right into it. The result: a cut 7cm long, down to the skull. Thanks to the quick action of my team mates, I was sent to the hospital and underwent surgery that day to fix it. 

Sadly, this means I am out of the water for at least 2 weeks. I did think about doing some dry land static training for freediving, but figured my healing tissues would not appreciate the hypoxia. So, once I heal, back to training for me!