Swimming is a sought-after life skill in Singapore. Like many kids here, Ng Xin Hui started taking swimming lessons before she began primary school. In just five years with Pacific Swim Team, she won her first medal in 2021 – a 200-metre breaststroke bronze at the Singapore National Swimming Age Group Championships – and has just represented Singapore in the 44th South East Asian Age Group Championship held in Kuala Lumpur in December 2022.
We asked Xin Hui, 13, some questions about her amazing swimming journey:
Interview with Ng Xin Hui, Swimmer from Pacific Swim Team
When did you start swimming and how did you fall in love with this sport?
I started when I was six, as I was watching television when a swimming advertisement popped up. I signed up with local swimming club Pacific Swim Team and felt that swimming was very fun. That was how I started going regularly and enjoying it a lot.
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In three words, describe what it feels like to be in the pool.
Cold, light and free.
What made you decide to stay with Pacific Swim Team from beginner level all the way to competitive level?
I think that it is because it is the most convenient for me since it is very near my house and the coaches I have met along the way are very friendly…, which is why I like Pacific Swim Team.
I decided to swim competitively when I was handed a form for the National School Games for swimming in 2019. My goal was to win a medal for my primary school.
What is your training routine like now?
It is six to seven times a week, for two hours each session.
2021:
- 200m Breaststroke Bronze medal, Singapore National Swimming Age Group Championships
2022:
- 3rd place in 200m Breaststroke, Singapore National Swimming Age Group Championships
- 4th place in 400m Individual Medley, Singapore National Swimming Age Group Championships
- 6th place in 200m Individual Medley and 200m Breaststroke, Singapore National Swimming Age Group Championships
- Qualified for the 44th South East Asian Age Group Championship that will be held in Kuala Lumpur in December 2022 (Events: 200m Individual Medley and 200m Breaststroke)
How do you think swimming has made a difference in your life?
I think that swimming has taught me patience and perseverance, which are values that are important… in life.
What are some of the best moments in your swimming journey?
One of them was when the entire team went to Malaysia for a camp and stayed together at a hotel before going for training with another reputable club in Malaysia. We had lots of fun together and I will always remember it.
What are some of the challenges that you’ve faced? How did you overcome them?
There was once when I was not training well for a period of time but I thought of ways to improve myself after learning from the mistakes. My coach encouraged me to try and try each time I failed.
Who are you thankful for in your swimming journey?
I am thankful for my coaches and parents for supporting me for the entire journey.
Any dreams or goals for the future?
I hope that I’ll be able to win a medal for Singapore.
What are some tips you can give to others who are considering taking up swimming?
Just do it!
Excel with Pacific Swim Team
Xin Hui’s encouragement is so simple, yet so true. Just do it! Give swimming a shot! Pacific Swim Team not only provides a fun and supportive environment, but also takes the safety of its students very seriously. It is the only swim school in Singapore that employs additional lifeguards whenever possible during lesson times!
Whether students want to learn for leisure or take the competitive route, Pacific Swim Team is committed to helping every swimmer reach his or her full potential. The school hopes to make swimming an affordable sport, with fees starting from $25 per lesson. Find out more about Pacific Swim Team.
This feature is brought to you by Pacific Swim Team.
