Sailing with a Champion's Dad – An interview with AYG gold medallist Darren Choy’s father

Story by Alan Chiang/Red Sports, Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

"What's best for him is to let him be independent."

You wouldn't often hear that from your dad if you are only a tender 13 or 14 years young. But Calvin Choy, the father of Asian Youth Games sailing gold medalist Darren, is one who thinks that his son would mature with paramount freedom.

Calvin Choy spoke to Red Sports with regards to his son's love for sailing.

Q: When did your son discover the passion for sailing?
Calvin: He has always been active in sports since young. He only started sailing after trying out at St Hilda's Primary School (where they have programmes with the National Sailing Centre), when he was only 9 years old (Primary 3). He had complained that he couldn't swim but I encouraged him to take the swimming tests to try it out.

Q: Does he spend more time at home or out at sea (for training)?
Calvin: He's definitely having more time outside. After school, he has to head straight to the National Sailing Centre while his classmates have to stay in school for extra lessons. I guess, as a national sailor, he has to fulfill the requirements, especially in terms of water time. We also missed him when we sent him to the boarding school at Singapore Sports School.

Q: Why did you send your son to Singapore Sports School?
Calvin: Actually, my wife was not keen on that idea as he was accepted by Anglo-Chinese School (Independent). But I told her to take a look at what Singapore Sports School was offering then. The school can actually help him to juggle between studies and sports and I think it has paid off so far.

Q: Is it difficult for you in terms of logistics?
Calvin: I am used to fetching him from home (in Bedok) to the National Sailing Centre. It's my duty to help him along the way.

Q: Your son has been travelling often for overseas training without your company. How do you think he or you are coping with this?
Calvin: Initially I missed him but I understand that he needs to learn to be independent, which is best for him. At first, he called back often to update us. We also get the chance to chat online (MSN) if there is internet connection. But we are okay now. I know that if he doesn't call back, he is well-taken care of. I have absolute confidence in the coaches.

Q: How do you watch your son's races at the Asian Youth Games since there is no "live" broadcast on TV?
Calvin: I have been reading the live blog on the official website and I will try to catch him from the beach, as I can cycle from my house in Bedok to the National Sailing Centre.

Q: Your son has been leading in the competition at the Asian Youth Games. What do you think of his chances to take home the gold medal? (Darren was leading after 4 days of racing when this interview was conducted)
Calvin: Well… it is still too early to say. But he has never been over-confident. I guess he is also influenced by us (he and his wife) to always be modest no matter what comes ahead.

Red Sports also had a chance to catch up with Singapore's team manager, Serena Wong, as she talked about the popularity of sailing in Singapore.

Q: Are you disappointed with the ‘no-show’ for TV broadcast?
Serena: Well, I guess it's always good to have visuals as that would actually improve the profile of sailing among many in Singapore. But the current live blog (on AYG's official website) is quite good and the number of comments from the public was amazing.

Q: St Hilda's Primary School seemed to produce many national sailors like Darren. Is the National Sailing Centre working closely with the school(s)?
Serena: Yes! We are happy to work together with the school(s) especially St. Hilda's Primary. The National Sailing Centre has been working hard to help the school(s) to move in sync with our training schedules.

Q: What else is the National Sailing Centre doing to promote the awareness of the sport?
Serena: There is a new programme called "SailSmart" which is also known as "Sailing Science". It is partly to educate primary school students, which are our targeted age group, on being "green" to the environment as well as to gain knowledge of sailing. It is a four-day programme in which students are exposed to the ´sailing environment' - the sea, waves, coasts, wind and weather through hands-on activities.

The future of sailing is bright as the National Sailing Centre reports of at least 1,000 new sailors every year, and that there are at least 600 of them who race regularly. Many of them begin sailing as young as 8 years old, with the optimist boat as the stepping stone.

Although this sport doesn’t promise you that everything will be plain sailing, it is still never too young to begin!

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