National Runway Cycling & Skating 2010

On the 20th June 2010, YAH members head down to the Paya Lebar Airbase to help out and do some advocacy work at the ” Live it up without Lighting up” booth. Basically, what we did at the booth was to take pictures of people’s faces and get a projection of how they would look like when they’re 72 years old as a non-smoker versus as a smoker using the April Software.

The faces of people when theyre not smoking VS when theyre smoking!

Apart from that we also distributed “Live it up without lighting up” badges containing the 4 smoke free messages and did some advocacy by pointing out the advantages of not smoking to people (who are mostly families, cyclers and skaters)

We were also privileged to meet Jeremy, who is an inspiration to us!

Mr Jeremy kindly allowed us to post his photo on our website:)

Jeremy is currently a smoker, but aims to quit smoking by this year in order to be fit to participate in a Standard Charter Marathon!:)) Go JEREMY!

There were also many performances held at the event and one of the highlights include freestyle skating!

Cool dudes doing freestyle skating! Proves that exercise can be fun!

At the end of the event, all of us YAH members felt that we had gained a lot from the event. Here are some of their views!

“It was quite meaningful to advocate to the participants there about effects of smoking via the April software. Many of them were interested in using the software to find out what they would look like when they’re 72 if they are a smoker vs non-smokers. I hope this would show the negative impact of smoking (i.e. more wrinkles and gaunt looks) to the participants.” - Louis, YAH Advocate

“This event was meaningful as I was in charge of utilizing the April software (age progression). I viewed countless of pictures created by the software that compares the differences between the looks of a non-smoker and a smoker. And not surprisingly, a smoker looks much older (1.4 times) than a non-smoker. I saw a lot of the participants’ flabbergasted expressions when they stare at their much older looks especially for the smoker section. Moral of the story is: Stay smoke free!” – Goh Mei Xing, YAH advocate.

REMEMBER! BEING SMOKE FREE WOULD TRANSLATE INTO:

  • Better looks! ————–>Smoking is very glamorous, if you like deep wrinkles!
  • Better environment!—–>Trash the Ash!
  • Better fitness!————->Breathe healthily, live happily
  • Better spending power!—>Too much smoke will leave you broke!

For more photos, do go to Youth Advolution for Health facebook page!

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NTU Sports Club Event: Bike Rally 2010!!!

The preparation phase for this event was definitely a tough one. I had a goal in mind when I signed up for this event – to complete 168km. It came to a point that I put on my road bike and cycle twice every week on weeknights along mandai road, conquering the slopy roads, going up and down. Gearing myself up for this fateful day. Overcoming this 168km was going to be my greatest achievement in my life thus far, but I only completed 128km. SADNESS.

The Bike Rally 2010 organising committee had a pre-event brief this year at two different locations; Toa Payoh CC and NTU. Lucky for me, I stay near NTU but sadly, I wasn’t able to make it for the briefing. Fortunately, the committee had the slides uploaded on their website. www.bikerally.ntusportsclub.sg

21st Februaury 2010 is finally here. I arrived at the event ground, hoping to be one of those earlier participants, but to my astonishment, the queues at the registration counter were as long as the stretch of the corridor from my unit to the lift. (That’s very far, mind you) The registration officers were helpful and nice in dealing with participants of the event. I got myself registered quickly and brought my bike to the helmet collection point. It was a fast and swift process, I got my helmet in a while. I was given an event tag and a singlet and was told to wear it. This was one of their ways to identify cyclists on the roads. Yellow, was the colour they used, bright enough to be spotted while cycling along the roads of Singapore. Just then, at about 6.45am, there was a warm-up conducted by one of their personnel near the holding area, I joined them to get myself ready for the cycle. Their guest of honour was Mr Hri Kumar Nair, he flagged us off at the start point with a very long horning sound. At that moment in time, I was wondering, am I ready for this?

I followed the crowd and cycled towards our first checkpoint. On my way out of East Coast Park, I realised there were a few cyclists in red singlets and they were our safety cyclists. I was quite impressed by the number of safety cyclists who cycled with the pack. A while later, I noticed a few AETOS Personnel on motorbikes. What can I say! Our safety is guaranteed. Although there were no road closure for safety reasons, I felt safe enough as there were more than sufficient safety cyclists along the way as well as AETOS Riders to guide the traffic. I was comfortable while cyclist towards the first checkpoint.

The route is indeed long, the pack was rather slow. I cycled fast enough to catch up with the front cyclists, hoping to make it for the cut for the first extension.

I reached the first checkpoint at labrador park. WOW. There were bananas, and buns, and even gatorade is provided. There were also isotonic drinks, like 7up revive. The people in red were very warm-hearted, offering us drinks and food, ensuring that we have energy to cycle for the rest of the route. Honestly speaking, after that first stretch, I was rather tired. I didn’t realise that I was cycling way above my comfort zone, got pretty fast and definitely, I got tired fast. I couldn’t help it but to stay at the check point to rest for a while.

It was about 8.45 am when I left the checkpoint. I definitely had a long rest. While I was resting, I was observing the people around me. I realised, there were proficient cyclists, perhaps maybe, they are triatheletes or biatheletes. They look really fit. There were also the special olympics people around. People of all ages were there too. I was really surprised with the turn out, especially the many different people of different ages. I decided to take my bike and cycle to the next checkpoint.

Well, it was really late, and I was definitely sure that I missed the first extension (There goes my 168km. =( ) And true enough, I checked with one of the event organisers, and he said the cut off timing has already passed. I continued cycling to the next checkpoint. Along the way, there were many signages and marshals to guide us to the next checkpoint. All I can say is, it is definitely helpful and carefully thought. There will be marshals are crucial points to direct you the on the route and signages to tell you which way to go. The route is really long! I was actually quite tired mentally to cycle alone along this long stretch, but I told myself, this is a test for me, to test my patience and endurance.

I reached the next checkpoint, which is at NTU. It was located outside the Sports and Recreational Centre of NTU. The tracks and the field were all NEW! The basketball courts were NICELY DONE UP!! Well, I took this chance to rest at NTU Checkpoint and fill up my waterbottle. My legs were actually wobbling already. I think i didn’t stretch enough. I took some rest.

I then left NTU and proceeded on to the next checkpoint – Kranji Dam.

At this part of the route was the greatest challenge of my life. There was this stretch of road, it was long. It feels as if I was crossing a desert by foot, a never ending route to the next checkpoint. To my surprise, there was a car in the middle of the road. To my realisation, it was the safety car. The organisers were there cheering us on and taking pictures of us cycling at this stretch of the road. It was really encouraging at that point in time. When I cycled passed them, they were shouting like “persevere!”, “you can do it!” and “nothing is impossible!”. It was a morale booster. I continued cycling and managed to overcome this obstacle of the route. There I was, I reached the next checkpoint.

This was where i did not take a break and decided to have a slow ride to the next checkpoint which is at yishun stadium. I filled up my water bottle, took a breather and then I left for the next checkpoint. From here on, I cycled at a comfortable pace. I knew I was reaching my limit, for now, I was hoping that I would not be swept by the sweeping bus. There is this bus, that follows the pack at the back. This bus will pick up slower cyclists who are not able to meet the sweeping timing and also catered to those who could not proceed further to the next checkpoint, and at that checkpoint, they will continue cycling from there. I would not want that to happen to me as I wanted to finish this whole race by wheels, not on buses. Of course, I was a little bit ahead of time, I then took my time and cycle a my own speed.

I reached Yishun Checkpoint and subsequently, I also arrived at Serangoon Checkpoint and Changi Beach Checkpoint without getting swept by the sweeping lorry. Changi Beach Checkpoint is the last checkpoint of the route. I was so excited that I completed cycling all the 6 checkpoints and all that is left is the End point. My muscles were already aching, but no fear, there was counterpain provided by the organisers and medics were planted at each checkpoints to look after us. I was relieved and I was more than energetic to finish this last stretch of the route as this marks the 128km that I have cycled.

Along this last stretch, I enjoyed the seaside scenery as well as looking at faces of the people who jogged or cycled pass us. It was quite a sight. It was an opportunity for me to observe the beautiful seaside scenery. It was a calm scene. As I cycled, I counted people the number of dogs I see along the way. People bringing dogs to the parks to jog or to take a walk. It is nice. After a while, I saw signages such as “You’re getting there”, “almost there” and “really almost there”. At first, I saw quite a few “almost there” and I really thought I am reaching. After a while, i realised, they have alot of that signage along the way. It was quite lame but it was abit entertaining, at least it takes off my mind about cycling. The last stretch, when the “FINISH” banner was feasible, I started to increase my speed. I can’t wait to finish the race. As I crossed the finishing line, all I could think of is ”OH MY GOD, I finished this 128km”, it was hard to believe that I finished it without much help from anyone. The feeling of finishing it on my own is indescribable. I quickly returned my helmet and proceed to the stage area. There were lucky draws. I was back in time for the first round of lucky draw. Well, I didnt win anything from both lucky draws. Really unlucky. Then I saw the participants taking part in the stage games like the folding bike competition. Whoever who folds the bike faster will win. I can’t do it that fast!

On the whole, I would say that, Bike Rally 2010 is well organised. I am impressed with how students from NTU who are studying full time managed to organise such a widescale event. Good job to them.

Bike Rally 2010 is a great success, and I really look forward to taking part of it again next year.

NUSSU Hotline Exhibition Cum Carnival 2010

Objectives

  • To emphasize on the importance of mental and sexual wellness to the NUS student community in lieu of Valentine’s Day.
  • To promote NUSSU Hotline as the “listening ear” for students.

Brief  Description

NUSSU Hotline wishes to emphasize the importance of mental health and well being by the means of a 2 day exhibition cum carnival slated for 11th – 12th February 2010. On the eve of Valentine’s Day, the celebration of love and happiness; NUSSU Hotline aims to spread the message and educate the NUS community on the significance of mental health, how they can better improve it and also caution them on the dangers of Sexually Transmitted Infections/ Diseases and HIV and to be careful not to carry out unsafe sex on campus. Apart from that, this exhibition/carnival is to also raise awareness of NUSSU Hotline’s services and what we can do for the benefit of the NUS community.

Post Event Remarks -

The event got approval from NUSSU just 2 weeks prior to the date due to which the initial plan that spanned over 2 months was crunched down to 2 weeks. With a lot of team effort and co operation the event was a successful one.

Initial setting up started on the 10th of February 2010 at 6:30 pm, when the contractors from HPB and the tables and chairs came down to the central forum to set up. The Organising committee stayed up all night to decorate the central forum with balloons and pack goodie bags. Two volunteers stayed over for the night to guard the equipment.

On the first day – 11th feb 2010, volunteers came down to man the booths in 2 hour shifts. Vendors came in and settled by 10 am. Art of Living also had successful registrations and demo classes were scheduled for 12th February 2010. Goodie bags were given out along lucky draw coupons. Outstanding money payments from vendors were duly collected and given back to NUSSU Secretariat in the evening. The HPB personnel manned their ONE Human Exhibit educating the crowd about mental and sexual well being.

On day 2 – 12th February, KR Inspire was set to perform from 1 – 2 pm. They brought their equipment in a van and ocomm helped them in set up. Rest of the chain of events was similar to day 1. AOL had successfully conducted its demonstration session in the YIH Student Lounge.

Date & Time

11th February to 12th February 2010                           10 am to 6 pm everyday

Venue

NUS Central Forum

Surf N Sweat 2010

Surf N Sweat is an annual event organized by NTU Sports Club at Sentosa.

Being in its 15th year of running this year, Surf N Sweat 2010 was held at Siloso Beach on 7 February 2010, from 0800hrs to 1800hrs.

Being the chairperson of this whole event was no easy feat – having to manage 20 event commers under me and an estimated 1300 participants. Thankfully, the journey was not alone. I had a lot of support from my committee and friends who in all made this possible.

For one thing, there was no rain this year – which made everything so much easier than previous years. Despite changing a new event ground in an attempt to make the event more vibrant, we overcame all difficulties to make this work.

I hope all participants were able to find this event a good opportunity to let their hair down and engage in a healthier lifestyle through our promotion of beach sports. Most participants enjoyed Surf N Sweat this year, and certainly, we feel happy hearing that.

With that, I hope to see more of you guys at Surf N Sweat 2011! Together, Let’s Get Wet!

More information about Surf N Sweat 2010 can be found at http://surfnsweat.ntusportsclub.sg.

Aargh!! I am going CRAZY!!

That day, we had our program implementation!
It was so fun when setting up the booth!
When the program starts, at first there were not much people as we do not know how to approach. After a while, there was a few students initiate to approach us. From there, we manage to share the knowledge of relieving stress in a correct method.
We made a big dice and set up hop-scotch to let the participants play and choose a question from there! If they manage to answer it correctly, they will get a chance to spin the wheel. There are many wonderful prizes like movie tickets, popluar vouchers and some yummy healthy snacks and drinks!
Many are attracted to the prizes and therefore they got to gain more knowledge about stress from there!
I have learnt a lot during the program like planning before program, also teamwork is very important. If we did not plan before hand, everything will be in a mess and we will not be able to share the knowledge to all participants.
One of the problem met is that, we intend to buy GV movie vouchers but due to the time constraint, we have to change it to Shaw organisations movie tickets as we can get it straight.
I think that such activity is meaningful and interesting!
I hope that such program can be carry out in the future but the time should extend longer! :D