is one of the dragonboat clubs in Singapore with the longest history, tracing its roots to year 1993, when it comprised mostly paddlers from graduates of National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) dragonboat teams. The word Kiyah (pronounced as kee-yah) comes from the Hokkien pronunciation of “起呀”. In the1980s and 1990s, Hokkien was a major dialect widely use
d in Singapore. During the final burst of dragonboat races, paddlers from diverse clubs would shout “KI-YAH! KI-YAH!” at the top of their lungs in sync with every stroke, like a battle cry. Anyone in the thick of the race could not help but feel the pinnacle of thrill and adrenaline rush – this is what makes this sport so addictive. Race spectators would also be electrified by the thunderous roar and palpable atmosphere filling the air, especially for the final 50m to the finishing line. Over the years, Team Kiyah-Splashh! has evolved to welcome all paddlers, new and seasoned, who are interested or passionate about dragonboat to join the team. Today, the team comprises members from all walks of life and of various ages and nationalities. Members share a common interest in dragonboat and train competitively to participate in both local and overseas races (such as in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, China and Korea). With a long history and a strong tradition, Team Kiyah-Splashh!
