HPB Voices Reloaded
May - June 2008
A sneak peak into the unique pursuits of HPBians.
Berni and Nicholas share with us their other love.
Name: Berni Ong
Her Love: Rugby
“Rugby? Why would a girl want to play rugby?” That is one of the many exclamations I have heard when people find out the sport that I have chosen to be such a big part of my life.
People often relate rugby to bloodied faces and broken bones, thus, unsuitable for women. So what draws me to this “rough” sport? It will be difficult to describe what an amazing sport it is in a short write-up, but here are 5 reasons that would hopefully change the way you think about rugby:
1. It is a fun way of developing your aerobic and anaerobic fitness - A full game of rugby union requires players to last through two 40-minute halves of running, tackling, pushing, jumping and lifting.
2. It is a great way to release pent up stress - After a day at work, the friendly tussle triggers an adrenalin rush and endorphins (or “happy hormones”). A great way to unwind!
3. It teaches the value of teamwork – There are fifteen players on each team. Every player has different strengths and very distinct roles in the game. Each player must work hard to fulfill his/her role. The team is only as strong as the weakest link.
4. It reinforces the value of commitment and diligence – When you’ve played a good game, you know that the love-hate relationship you have endured with all the fitness and gym sessions pays off.
5. It is an excellent way to meet new people and make friends – With the amount of time spent training with your teammates, some strong friendships are forged. You also make friends from other teams through local and overseas tournaments.
Name: Nicholas Koh
His Love: Scuba-diving
Divers will tell you that SCUBA diving is very addictive, and I must say that I definitely agree! I am sharing my love affair of diving with you hoping that you will take up this amazing sport and join me in my underwater quest.
My first experience with the underwater world was in Redang in Malaysia in 2003. I rented a pair of fins, mask and snorkel and fell in love immediately with the life under the deep blue sea. Soon after, I signed up for a diving course in Singapore and went for my maiden dive in Pulau Hantu, one of the Southern Islands. Big mistake! The water was murky, and I could hardly see anything. But if I could survive Pulau Hantu, I can survive anywhere in the world.
Later, I went to Pulau Tioman in Malaysia for my first diving trip outside Singapore, and for the first time in my diving history, I was able to see my hands in front of me! The water was crystal clear. I was hooked. A few years later I went through the Advanced Open Water certification, which would enable me to go for night dives and deep dives. To date, I have clocked over 50 dives in Pulau Tioman alone. Pulau Tioman has beautiful corals around the islets as well as fascinating deep sea creatures underneath, such as a resident black-tip shark.
I was so fascinated with diving that I actually bought my own dive gear instead of renting them (cost me so much but it’s worth it!). My wish is to go to Pulau Sipadan, which is an island in Sabah, famed for its beautiful waters and plenty of turtle sightings!
Hope to see you 30 feet underwater soon!