At the Singapore Swimming Club, circa 1975. John and I with our
maternal cousins Wendy and Angela
Palma Qui Feruit - the motto of Singapore Swimming Club. Our parents signed up the family membership with the Singapore Swimming Club in late 1974. We (my brother and I) still continue to be members (thats a total of 43 years including 2017!). My Dad Geoffrey very soon after that (1975) was elected into the Management Committee of the SSC and appointed as its then legal convenor, first under the President of Mr. Henry Chan, followed by Mr. Cheong Boo Hong and finally Mr. Teo Khiang Hwee.
I was 12 and John was 9 then. We signed up for the swimming programme under the well known coach, Mr.Neo Chwee Kok. The other assistant coaches were Mr. Mohammed Salleh and Mr. Chan. Mr. Neo very sadly passed away in the late 80s due to cancer while the other 2 I have lost contact decades ago. Mr. Neo was an Olympian representing Singapore in the 1950s and early 60s and was known then as the 'Flying Fish'. High praise for such a warm hearted and humble man. I remember him as a strict coach who would yell and sometimes beat out heads with a kick board (styrofoam) if we did not swim according to the speed required or do something stupid like swim against the stream of swimmers
Mr. Neo had a much gentler and kinder side to him and he would always offer to drop my mother and us back on days when Mum's car was in service or when she didn't opt to drive.
Regarding swimming training the schedules were such :
Monday 5.30 - 7.00 am or 5.00 - 7.00 pm
Tuesday 5.30 - 7.00 am or 5.00 - 7.00 pm
Wednesday - Off day
Thursday 5.30 - 7.00 am or 5.00 - 7.00 pm
Friday : 5.30 - 7.00 am or 5.00 - 7.00 pm for either the morning or evening children
Saturday : 6.00 - 7.30 am
Sunday : shorter training from 6 -8.00 am in mornings and then followed by water-polo (friendly) ; only morning sessions on Sat and Sundays
My mother was an extremely active member of the swimming club, she would be very active in many activities. After work on weekdays, she would go for the following : swimming (first) and perhaps a game of badminton (after the swim) while waiting for us to finish the training.
Mum, Anna and me, 1964
Over the years she was an active member taking part in the following ; badminton, swimming, kong chian (some Chinese martial art), tennis, jogging, jazz ballet (the group even performed overseas at some stage) and squash. I owe my massive interest to sports and many outdoor hobbies to my mother's insatiable interest in the 70s right up till the last few years of her active life.
Mum's Jazz Ballet friends from SSC
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