The Harbours from Before: Just Snippets

Some memories from the good old Yio Chu Kang days ...

Heavyhands
Yup, that was how we got fit. We did heavyhands after every training session (there was training at YCK 4 times per week and RGS once) unless there was instructions for a 2.4 km run or 400m sprints. I definitely preferred heavyhands. We would gather in a court and start the 45 - 50 min aerobic workout where some crazy seniors would go at a maniac pace.

I guess I love the cool-down song most. With 'Together in Electric Dreams' playing, the entire group would go through a routine of energetic steps in a co-ordinated fashion, jumping and singing along. =)

Day Camps
We would have a 2 - 3 full days training camp every June and December. The day would start at 9 am with court runs, court runs and more court runs. And through the day, we would do all sorts of routines and drills. Training was surely tough but fun with its occasional perks. A $10 note lying in the deepest forehand corner for straight drives, a M&M dispenser right behind the box for cross-courts etc. Those were the nicest M&Ms I had ...

Lunch was kept simple ... chicken rice, duck rice or wanton mee ... I don't think there was much a change in menu over the years. However the best was always saved for the last! Yummy strawberries with whipped cream, yoghurt, bananas, chocolate, tarts from Olive Tree ... blueberries too, which did not go quite well with chicken rice. Yup, once I puked big time after the lethal combination. Guess I did not wash the blueberries clean. =(

Day camps always ended with a race between the guys and the gals. The most fun part of it was the gals always won! yah, we had some handicap ... i admit.

Court Runs
There was this period we were building our anaerobic capacity. We started with 8 sets of straight runs, 1 min each and slowly built up. The final showdown, I remember, was one Saturday at the West Coast courts. 18 sets, 1 min each. 9 sets, a 5 min break and then another 9 sets. Well, I think I spent my Sunday in bed.

Court 6
Court 6 was the most 'sacred' court. The best seniors only used this court and the juniors would tremble as we stepped into it. Well, it was one of the two glass courts then and it was 'the' central court where everybody would gather, watch the demos and receive instructions. And I guess all eyes were usually on this court. While we were not in court, we would be outside this one watching the seniors train. As a junior, there was a mixture of fear and pride when given the chance to play in there.

As I went on to be a senior ... well, it was like it's the seniors' court! Do not come near. Yup, we hogged it like the previous batches. Not that Ansari was pleased with that.

Playing Doubles
The gals I trained with contributed to the wonderful times as well. Weiwei, Minmin, Yanjun, Liling, Chinwee ... We always had fun playing doubles in a single court. The stake was usually a can of 100 plus ... On many occasions, we ended up rolling on the floor, laughing over some stupid shots.

We had a doubles tournament once. It was a great experience! For once, we played doubles on an actual doubles court. I guess the most fun part of the tournament was the mulling over our attire to ensure that each pair would wear the exact same thing from head to toe, and not clash with the rest. Luckily we had plenty of common Head shirts and shorts. I remember Yanjun and Liling with their pink ribbons in an effort to look different ... Well, it was just too silly looking. Haha.

Yah, I do miss those times.

Too bad, none of them are playing now.

The Ride Home
Chinwee, Yanjun, Liling and I were staying very near to each other. We would take the train and then 190 home after each YCK session. Stinky, dirty and tired, we would clamour onto the train, throw our huge squash bags in one corner and then occupy the area besides a door. Gosh, what a din we usually made. Chatting and laughing away ... RGS always had complaints about the girls misbehaving in the public and I guess our rowdy behaviour then did deserve some letters to the principal. Ha, but we were smart to be in our Head t-shirts instead of school uniform. ;-)