Kid-in-a-Kayak

Cheryl started sprint kayaking in 2006 with the then-Raffles Junior College Canoeing team. Over the years, she has represented Singapore in kayaking, canoeing, dragon boat racing and rowing. Her love for the sport has led her to pursue a Sport Science & Management degree at Nanyang Technological University, where she graduated in 2013 with the Lee Kuan Yew Gold medal for topping the pioneer cohort. Most recently in 2018, Cheryl was awarded her PhD also from Nanyang Technological University, and had graduated as valedictorian. Her thesis was on stroke synchronization, seat order and performance of crew boat sprint kayaking. She currently coaches the canoeing teams of Hwa Chong Institution and Bukit Panjang Government High School, and is the lead coach and programme manager for KIAK.

Cheryl hopes to give back to this sport through nurturing the next generation of paddlers in Singapore. She believes that canoeing/kayaking is a fantastic opportunity for character building and values education.

Deborah started sprint kayaking in 2009 with the Anglo-Chinese Junior College Canoeing Team and joined the National Team in 2014. She represented Singapore at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in 2015 and graduated from Nanyang Technological University with a Degree in Sport Science and Management in 2016.

By coaching with KIAK, Deborah hopes to pass on what she learnt from her coaches and to introduce canoeing to children. She believes that canoeing/kayaking is a unique sport that allows one to experience being on the water and to see the world from another perspective, and at the same time, learn respect, teamwork and perseverance.

Jonathan started kayaking in 2009 in Hwa Chong Institution. As a current member of the National Team, he has represented Singapore in local and overseas competition. He currently coaches kayak teams from Hwa Chong Institution, Gan Eng Seng School and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

By coaching with KIAK, Jonathan hopes to get more kids to like the sport and to continue paddling for a long time to come. To achieve this, the crucial paddling skills will be imparted in a challenging yet fun way.

Alvin began paddling in 2012 when he joined Canoeing as a CCA in Serangoon Junior College (SRJC). Since then, after graduation, he has been active in helping out SR Canoeing as an alumni. He went on to coach the sprint kayaking teams of Singapore Institute of Technology, Saint Andrew's Junior College and Gan Eng Seng Secondary School in 2018.

Alvin hopes to inspire the next generation of paddlers to be the best versions of themselves, not just as paddlers but also as individuals who would go on to give back to society. Alvin believes that a tough and rewarding sport like canoeing would inculcate values such as perseverance, patience and determination in the children who choose to take up this sport.

Lucas started canoeing as a co-curricular activity in secondary school when he was 13. At the age of 16, he was selected to join the National Canoe Sprint Team and has represented Singapore in numerous overseas competitions and major games since. He is mostly funny and approachable, yet serious enough to make you think twice about getting up to any antics during training.

Peng Miang began paddling in 2016 with the Raffles Canoeing Team. She is presently an undergraduate in the Nanyang Technological University, and a member of its Canoe Sprint Team. She has been volunteering with KIAK since 2016.

Peng Miang hopes to develop grit, discipline and respect in the children paddling with KIAK. She believes that kayaking is a unique sport through which paddlers can grow to be better people, and a means by which children can pick up many positive traits that cannot be taught in a classroom. She also hopes that the children enjoy themselves at KIAK and develop a passion for paddling.

Grace began paddling in 2012 when she took up kayaking as her co-curricular activity in Serangoon Junior College. She later continued paddling with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Canoe Kayak Sprint team as an undergraduate. She graduated from NTU with a degree in Sport Science and Management in 2018. 

Grace hopes to be part of the community that grows and sustains the development of kayaking by exposing more kids to the sport, and inspiring them to similarly give back to the sport in the future. Most importantly, she hopes that the children paddling with KIAK learn about mutual respect, teamwork and perseverance while having fun and keeping themselves physically active.