Ms Agnes Chan
From February 29 to March 3, CDNIS had the honor of hosting the SEASAC Swimming Championships, marking a special milestone for both our school and students! After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, the 2024 SEASAC Swimming Championships signified the return of international competitions, with a total of 15 participating schools from countries across South East Asia.
With the atmosphere at CDNIS filled with excitement, the anticipation for SEASAC was unmistakable. Participants were eager to be in the pool, competing against their peers and proudly representing their respective schools. Despite the competitive environment, the goal of many swimmers was not just to win. Instead, they aimed to bond with old friends and make new ones. With a limited number of swimmers representing each school, swimmers were all eager to meet individuals who shared the same passion and to exchange tips to improve their swimming ability.
Significant amounts of hard work were done behind the scenes. Before the competition, swimmers trained rigorously, ranging from four to eight times a week. Swimming specialized sets for their own events would often leave swimmers breathless and exhausted. Aside from training, swimmers also had to balance their schoolwork and personal lives, challenging their time management skills and perseverance over time.
As the end of the competition approached, swimmers were satisfied with their own achievements. Personal best times were shattered, medals were awarded, and most importantly, new bonds were created and existing ones were strengthened. In spite of the grueling four days, swimmers maintained their energy and motivation with the support of the school atmosphere and their peers. For many swimmers, SEASAC Swimming at CDNIS marked their first experience at a SEASAC competition; CDNIS has indubitably set a positive precedent in the years to come.
Our school has seen a multitude of achievements, ranging from swimming awards to the success of our staff members and coaches. The significant milestone of CDNIS hosting its first international competition required extensive effort and dedication. From installing new scoreboards and touchpads to managing logistics, the Aquatics and Athletics department has been working tirelessly to ensure a seamless competition for all. Our swimmers also established outstanding accomplishments, with Natalie Ho achieving 3rd place in 200m butterfly and 4th in 50m and 100m butterfly, Ethan Muller achieving 2nd place in 400m individual medley, and Jasper Yam achieving 5th place in 400m freestyle. All swimmers have broken at least one of their personal best times. As Head of Aquatics Mr. Darren McHugh says, “Like most things in life, you need to put in the hard work and hours to get results. This is especially true of swimming.”
Thanks to the hard work of staff and student members, notably Head of Aquatics Mr. Darren McHugh and Athletics Director Mr. Geoffrey Slade; SEASAC swimming was a huge success. Congratulations to all the swimmers for their hard work and achievements; we look forward to the next SEASAC event hosted at CDNIS!