Our new boat has arrived and we have taken it out [...]]]> Overwhelmed by several weeks of busy work schedule does make one forget in updating the blog. Big thanks to Adam for reminding me where the photos were and its comforting to know that my team members do watch out whats happening on this space.

Our new boat has arrived and we have taken it out for a few paddles including Mardi Gras and our all NEW “SUNDAY” Training (despite the body aches we get from back to back training with our Coach Marcin) Check out our new ride which I’m so proud of.

Big welcome to our new comers

Great Job done

Keep it moving, peeps….

Familiar faces we have not seen for a while

Our new boat 8-p

We are proud Ma Ma’s and Pa Pa’s

smoke got in my eyes…. “ouch”!!!

With beers in 1 hand…

Some new faces

A BIG Welcome to Ben

Everyone enjoying themselves

Mel & Unai

Filip, Pierre & Haz being caught on CAM!

Bran, who is always ready for a pose

The Banner TEAM

Fabian & Roman engrossed with the [...]]]> Lets check out all the faces during Singapore River Regatta 2011. It’s always fascinating to be caught by “The Paparazzi” of Spanish Armada!

Filip, Pierre & Haz being caught on CAM!

Bran, who is always ready for a pose

The Banner TEAM

Fabian & Roman engrossed with the on-going race

Sylvia, The Coach & Unai, aka “The CAPTAIN of the ship”

Mario & Andrew (who is making faces)

Ron, Sylvia & Churchill (Strategist)

Enzo & Marcin

The Boys… “8 .. 9 .. 10″

Tami setting up the tent

3 Gals, 1 Guy & a coffee place

Briefing before the Race

More Photos of the Regatta Race 2011 can be found in our Gallery. Cheerios

Firstly a WARM welcome to [...]]]> Yo yo yo… Everyone. It has been a very eventful 2011 and before we bid the Rabbit year goodbye and welcome the year of the Dragon with the upcoming festive celebrations (this is the actual 2012 marker for Sylvia and I as we are Chinese), Let’s recap 2011 happenings with Spanish Armada!

Firstly a WARM welcome to all new members who joined us last year. It’s been real fun paddling with you all and we are gonna paddle even harder to breathe some fire in the year of the Dragon. So drink up and “Paddles Up”!

As 2011 drew to an end, the season also ended with the last race of the year which was the Singapore River Regatta 2011. It was definitely an inspiring and motivating event for us to work harder towards our 2012 goals.

Our “Lovely” Boys, will have to excuse Maki (in the center) as she was the drummer in this particular race

Land Simulation before the Race!

“Viva La Armada”

The Armadas getting ready,  smiley faces and “Strike a POSE”!

Check out More Pictures of the Regatta 2011 in our next Post & in Our GALLERY. Don’t forget to keep yourselves updated with our weekly paddle schedule!

The race site for [...]]]> Spanish Armada has come quite a long way from where we started. It was very apparent when the team arrived at the race site on time … and some even before the appointed meeting time! We were all roaring to go … and couldn’t wait to get wet and wild!

The race site for this year was at the scenic Marina Reservior (a.k.a Marina Barrage).

Our first race of the day was in the category ‘Inter-Club Open’. This category allows the team to decide on the number of male or female paddlers to put in the boat. Thus, almost all the teams had all-men crew for this race … barring us, of course! We are the Armadas … we have to stand out … and we do have some really strong and fierce women in our team. Go Chikas!!!

The race starts … and after a few seconds, our boat veers off course … we bump into the Austchamp (2010 Singapore River Regatta Champion) … TWICE. Nearly capsizing! The official disqualified us … but we appealed (faulty equipment – rudder) and was allowed to re-race against the mighty Aussies.

The third race of the day was our re-race … and it was the best of all the races. We were ahead of the Aussies throughout the race, until the very end when they caught up with us. We both finished with the same time … and yes, the Spanish Armada rejoiced.

We are a bunch of happy people … and we celebrate each and every victory – whether they are big or small!

Viva la Armada!!!

I have to admit, the race this weekend was very very interesting. There were a lot of first for us!

[...]]]> Hello All …

I have to admit, the race this weekend was very very interesting. There were a lot of first for us!

• First time to win a race, beating the Germans, Canadians and Americans. We were no.1 in the heats, but couldn’t make it past the semi-finals.

• First time to send down an all-women team. Yay … super Armada Chicas!!!
• First time to have our boat capsized!

I am really proud of the team. We did very well. After we won the heats, there were people from different teams coming up and congratulating us … and telling us how impressed they were that we have come a long way in such a short time. Yes. I am quite impressed too

The finals was quite an eventful time for us. We were all pumped up and roaring to go. We paddled hard … all the way into the water. I think we were still paddling when the boat was turning over! I loved that spirit in us … not willing to give up. I hope this spirit will continue and soon … very soon … we will have our own medals and cups

See you all at the training this Saturday.

Paddlezup!
Sylvia

Coach – Spanish Armada

Our best time was 1h 8.5mins … and we completed the race in 57.5mins! There were 25 boats racing – and we came in at 22nd position.

The last 1K was the BEST. We were spurred on to chase boat no.11, which was 2 boats’ length ahead of [...]]]>

The Spanish Armada did it!!

Our best time was 1h 8.5mins … and we completed the race in 57.5mins!
There were 25 boats racing – and we came in at 22nd position.

The last 1K was the BEST. We were spurred on to chase boat no.11, which was 2 boats’ length ahead of us … that would be about 25m. At the last 500m, we were half a boat’s length behind them, and we charged! At the last 200m, we were neck to neck and they started their last charge at this point. They started to pull away. They were tired, so were we! We had been charging for the last 500m, but we really REALLY wanted to finish ahead of them.

The last 100m charge by the Spanish Armada was a sight to see. We were poetry in water! Beautiful synchronisation, amazing hard pulls, lightening fast recovery. Oh … just visualising it again bring tears to my eye! :p

We did it! – we beat boat no.11 and came in 22nd position, in 57mins 34 seconds!!!
Amazing job, guys … I feel indescribably proud.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together for the racers -
Keith / Chun Onn – the main pacers
Zhen Yi / Jon / Yus / Monica – the supporting pacers
Ling Sim / Venice / Jehanna / Edu / Russel / Marcin – the middle pack (engine)
Teresa / Ignacio / Unai / Jing Kang / Sylvia / Alex – the last pack (power house)
and of course, Chris – our coxswain

Cheers!
Sylvia
Coach – Spanish Armada

[View with PicLens]

12345►

By 3:45 PM our boat should already be in the water. This will give us enough time for team updates, stretching, and other pre-training activities prior to the actual paddling. Please comply accordingly.