SUSS Dragon Boat Team Builds Momentum at SDBA Century Race 2026

On 8 March 2026, fourteen athletes from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) Dragon Boat Team competed in the SDBA Century Race 2026 held at PAssion Wave @ Jurong Lake Gardens.

Race day began early in the morning, as the team gathered at the venue to prepare for the competition. Athletes commenced their warm-up session before conducting several rounds of race simulations to familiarise themselves with race intensity and refine their race strategy. These simulations allowed the paddlers to synchronise their strokes and mentally prepare for the race environment.

SUSS Dragon Boat Team gathered for a pre-race briefing ahead of the SDBA Century Race 2026.

Before entering the boat marshalling area, Coach Bryan Koh Li Min gathered the team for a final preparation talk, reminding athletes of key technical points and strategies to focus on during the race.

SUSS Dragon Boat Team boarding the boat at the pontoon in preparation for the race.

In the first 100m heat, the SUSS Dragon Boat Team delivered an impressive performance, clocking 32.753 seconds and surpassing the team's previous record. This result placed the team first among three teams in their heat, securing direct progression into the Platinum Tier semifinals, where the top teams in the category competed.

SUSS Dragon Boat Team focused and preparing to launch for the 100m event.

During the semifinals, the team faced tougher competition against some of the strongest crews in the category. The SUSS team finished fourth with a timing of 33.742 seconds, narrowly missing progression to the finals. Despite this, the team remained proud of their performance, as the results showed clear improvement over the same race the previous year.

SUSS Dragon Boat Team paddling in sync during the 100m event at PAssion Wave @ Jurong Lake Gardens.

Reflecting on the race from a leadership perspective, Royston Liang Weng Howe (Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Year 3), Chairperson of the SUSS Dragon Boat Team, emphasised the importance of team spirit and collective growth. He noted that the competition highlighted the team's resilience and unity. "The team showed composure and focus throughout the race day, especially in high-pressure situations. Everyone stepped up when it mattered and committed fully to the race plan. I am proud of the effort put in and the standard we held ourselves to."

Isaac Lim Jein (Bachelor of Human Resource Management, Year 2), Men's Vice-Captain of the SUSS Dragon Boat Team, also reflected on the team's preparation and performance. Having trained alongside the team over the past three months, he highlighted the athletes' discipline and effort throughout their training. He shared, "This race showed that our boat is becoming more consistent in timing and rhythm. We were able to execute what we trained, especially in the heats. Moving forward, it is about refining the small details to make our race more efficient."

Similarly, Nada Tay Binte Roslan (Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Year 2), Women's Vice-Captain of the SUSS Dragon Boat Team, emphasised the team's growth on and off the water. She noted that the race highlighted the team's resilience and unity throughout the preparation period. "There was a strong sense of focus and intent going into each race. The team stayed locked in and supported one another throughout the day. It is encouraging to see that level of accountability, and we can build on that for future races."

SUSS Dragon Boat Team competing in the 100m heats at PAssion Wave @ Jurong Lake Gardens.

The race concluded with a short closing address by the coach, chairperson, and captain, where the team was encouraged to build on the progress made and continue striving for improvement in future races. Although the team did not advance to the finals, the improved timings and strong performance served as an encouraging milestone for the season ahead.

Overall, the SDBA Century Race 2026 marked a promising start to the SUSS Dragon Boat Team's competitive season. The experience reinforced the team's dedication, resilience, and commitment to continuous improvement as they look ahead to upcoming competitions.