3,500 Take Part in Inclusive Dragon Boat Race at Bedok Reservoir

Two hours of racing a dragon boat across Bedok Reservoir on the morning of June 14 was a hot and sweaty affair, but Mr Ashwin S. Sheernali was happy to have done it.

- Goh Yan Han

It was a chance for the 26-year-old and his father, Mr Sheernali G. Sheshachala, 54, to compete in a sport they both love.

The pair have been rowing and training together for close to five years, after they found out about the sport through a support group for people with autism.

Mr Sheernali, an IT consultant, said it gave them an opportunity to have quality time together during a dedicated window each week. It has also improved his son's sleep quality and coordination, he added.

Mr Ashwin, who has autism, was among some 200 people with disabilities who took part in the Paddle As One North East dragon boat race event, which had more than 3,500 participants altogether.

The event had 64 teams of different abilities, ages and backgrounds, including individuals with special needs and children from low-income families. Fourteen of the teams were in the Adaptive Open category that included people with disabilities. It was Singapore's largest inclusive dragon boat race, said the organisers.