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I remember
the times when our family used to go
to the Inya Lake for a swim on weekends.
Although we had a lot of fun in the
water, we couldn’t help but notice
the beautiful sailboats far out in the
lake. They looked like they were dancing
silently to the gazed wonderingly at
the boats for a long time, and every
time he did that I’d say, “Daddy,
can we go and sail on the boats?”
Every time he heard me say that he’d
take me by the hand and we would walk
a couple of paces towards an entrance
to a little wooden bridge. We would
stop at the end of the bridge where
he would point out to a sign that said
“Members only” and explained
that we could not pass this bridge because
we were not members. For a six year
old, the only thing that came into my
mind was the thought “that’s
not so fair,” and every weekend
when we went swimming I would mentally
try to “will” the sign away. |
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One weekend however, just after we finished
swimming as usual we held hands and proceeded
to walk pass the entrance where the bridge
was. But only this time, to our surprise my
Dad led us to the bridge. We were so afraid
that people would kick us out but my dad just
smiled as we walked over the bridge and said
“how does it feel to be the newest members
of the Rangoon Sailing Club?” I will
never forget the shouts of joy me and my brothers
made as we walked towards one of the most
beautiful places in Yangon, “The Rangoon
Sailing Club,” a place which would later
become a most significant part of our family’s
life.
There were not
many members at the time. I remember playing
with a couple of boys and girls my age.
We were too young at the time to sail. Although
we were already eight or nine years old,
we did not have the privilege to sail on
boats like “Optimist” for children
our age. As far as I remember there were
Sharpies. Raters and a big family boat called
the “Dugong” and one boat for
beginners called the “OK Dinghy”.
Whenever I think
of the very first time my father took us
on a ride on the family boat called the
“Dugong” I can’t help
but feel shivers of pride. I was proud of
the way my Dad learnt to handle the big
boat, proud of being able to feel the sensation
of the wind blowing through my hair, and
most of all proud to see that the people
swimming far away turn to gaze at us as
we sailed by.
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Since the sailing
club had regular races on Saturdays and Sundays,
it became our regular meeting place. While
fathers and mothers participated in the races
youngsters played, ate and played all day.
Although we were allowed to play, there were
certain rules we had to follow. We were not
allowed to run on the clubhouse, we were not
allowed to go behind the bar and most importantly,
we were |
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not allowed by on the
boats. Of course we tried to break these rules when
ever we had the chance but thanks to the ever keen
eyes of “Ismail” the Club Manager and
“Sultan” the bar tender-cum-nanny-of-the-children,
we always got caught and were always shooed away.
Little did I know that learning to abide by these
rules later helped me to respect other rules in
life as I grew older? Thank you Ismail and Sultan.
During my teen years, taking part in the weekly
and monthly races became the major event of my life.
I and my brothers and all our friends were old enough
to sail now and we loved it. There were a lot of
good-humored shouting in the water as we sailed.
For some who were very serious in sailing these
shouts were bothering, for others who liked to sail
for the fun of it, couldn’t care less. After
enduring countless numbers of being protested and
protesting others, I must say that I’ve learnt
how to live my life as an adult knowing when to
be aggressive and when to accept defeat and try
my best again. This, I think, is a very valuable
lesson which helped me to be successful later in
life. All of the social events held a the sailing
club such as the Annual Prize Giving Ceremonies,
the weekly picnics, the moon light dinners and dances,
the many after race dinners, the countless birthdays,
anniversaries and wedding receptions has taught
me that no matter what, the families of our club
has always been, and will always continue to be
supportive to each other in our lives, both in or
out of the sailing environment for many years to
come.
Society
has led us to believe that only if we go out our
way to donate things, or only if we are involved
in special charities and associations that we are
doing something good in our lives. I, for one, am
very proud that my parents and all the other parents
took their time to create and take care of us within
the environment of the sailing club. Because of
them, I’ve learnt a lot, I’ve seen a
lot and I’ve made friends that will always
be a part of my life. Growing up within the environment
of the sailing club has opened my eyes in many ways,
I was loved, I was challenged, I was rewarded and
most of all I had a lot of big brothers and sisters
of my own. ( Ko Thiha, Ko Gerald, Ko Sandow, Ko
Ni, Ko Georgy, Ma Maysi, Ma Rosi, Ma Maureen, Ma
Su, Ma Mu ) to mention a few and last but not least,
Ko Khin Nyo for permanently stamping the name “Miss
Piggy” on me ( Which by the way, was very
well earned. ) For your information, Ko Khin Nyo,
I am still proudly living up to that name. (Remind
me to kill you when I see you!)
Today, I have a family
of my own, and I am proud to say that we are still
active members of our sailing club. Keeping in
mind what our parents have done for us, we are
now trying to keep our club as happy, as busy
and as “prestiges” as it always has
been. I am happy that my daughter is a part of
this life, and I hope that all the other family
members feel the same way too. So, on behalf of
my family I would like to say, thank you Y.S.C
families for your support, thank you committee
members for your hard work, thank you staff for
your loyalty and service and most importantly,
thank you sailors for your individual and team
work.
To all members old and
new,Y.S.C welcomes you The whole year through.
If you don’t have a chance. To come spend
some time, Keep in touch, drop a line, and see
if we’re fine. If you still care. For our
club’s affairs, Check your bills, Pay your
fees, and keep on supporting us, please!!!
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