Ordinary people, extraordinary adventures

How do you change your clothes when stuck on a boat with a dozen other people perpetually around you?

“You don’t!” was former Uniquely Singapore crew member and Business Times journalist Vince Wee’s hilarious yet matter-of-fact response shared with some 100 adventure seekers who turned up at the Clipper Round the World 07-08 crew recruitment talk.

Sponsored by Keppel and organised by Business Times, the talk, held on 2 February 2007, drew participants from all walks of life, all of whom aspire to become Singapore’s next sailing ambassador onboard the yacht, Uniquely Singapore.

Addressing the flurry of questions from the enthusiasts were Mr Tony Siddique, Keppel Advisor and Chairman of the Uniquely Singapore Clipper Steering Committee; Mr David Cusworth, Crew Recruitment Manager from Clipper Ventures, as well as crew members from the Clipper 05-06 race.

Tan Thong Meng, who was watchleader on the boat, shared on how as a result of the experiences gained on the race, he was able to pursue his passion for sailing with a job as a sailing executive at Keppel’s new Marina at Keppel Bay.

Responding to a question on seasickness, Thong Meng quipped, “The 1st day of sea-sickness, you feel like dying. The 2nd day, you wonder when you are going to die. But by the third day, when the sun is out and you see dolphins playing, you feel great!

“Once you’ve conquered the challenges and finished the race, you look back and the great sense of achievement makes it all worth the while.”

In his early 60’s, crew member Mike Gray was living testament that age is no obstacle even for older folks planning on partaking in the race.

For the ladies, Lena Loh proves that size is not a factor too. One of the smaller-built females in the Race, Lena proved that technique and teamwork far outweigh individual physical strength.

Our very own Keppel Ambassadors Keith Teo, Keppel FELS’ Senior Project Manager and Tony Leong, Keppel Land’s AGM of Regional Investments (Indonesia), were also at hand to tell their tales. The former shared how one with no prior experience in sailing – essentially the ordinary man on the street – can also represent the nation on the international arena through the race.

On the spirit of adventure and inclusiveness that Keppel embraces, Ms Wang Look Fung, GM of Keppel Group Corporate Communications, shared, “Ordinary people can do extraordinary things, just as a small shipyard can grow into a global conglomerate today.

“This is the success story of Keppel, and just as our business excellence stems from our culture of inclusiveness and a Can Do spirit, we want to encourage Singaporeans and residents to experience and cultivate this taste for the unknown, to challenge themselves by venturing beyond familiar frontiers.

“As a homegrown multinational company, Keppel is proud to partner the Singapore Tourism Board in participating in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race that will give all Singaporeans an opportunity to represent Singapore on the international stage.”

Clipper 07-08 will set sail from Liverpool, United Kingdom, in September 2007. When the Clippers visit Singapore for the second time in February 2008, Marina at Keppel Bay will welcome them with its spanking new premises and world-class berthing facilities.