A lifesaver
Lye Hock (far right) with the NUS University Lifeguard Corps
A dedicated coach and mentor to the NUS University Lifeguard Corps, Mr Sim Lye Hock has devoted his time and expertise to the University for nearly 33 years. But his career could have panned out very differently.
Lye Hock started off as a Steel Fitter for a ship repairing firm, a position he held for five years before being called for national service. However, upon returning to the workforce, he found himself in an industry slump making it difficult to find work. Thereafter came the turning point in his career. Lye Hock decided to train professionally as a lifeguard.
With his new-found skill, Lye Hock was offered positions with both the Singapore Sports Council and NUS. Fortunately for the University, he chose to go with the "more prestigious NUS brand and joined as a lifeguard at the tender age of 26, later becoming a Pool Supervisor. These days his job as a Management Assistant Officer with the Office of Student Affairs entails overseeing sports facilities which includes assisting with bookings and guiding students on the usage of the facilities. It is a job that he enjoys. He believes his students enjoy working with him as well, since his experience puts the young athletes at ease when preparing for their events.
It is also one of the reasons he has chosen to stay a part of the NUS community for so long. "It's a very good place to work. The staff and students are very friendly, courteous and helpful, said Lye Hock.
Lye Hock was the team manager for the NUS Swim Team and the NUS Table Tennis Team at the 1994 ASEAN University Games and the 2004 ASEAN University Games respectively. He also handled the sports facilities administration work during the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games.
But his eyes lit up when discussing his other passion, coaching the NUS University Lifeguard Corps as a dedicated volunteer.
The NUS University Lifeguard Corps is a club made up of student lifeguards that aims to promote the knowledge of lifesaving and resuscitation skills in the NUS community. The club regularly participates in both open water and still water lifesaving competitions with ongoing training sessions four times each week ' thrice at the pool and one weekend at the Sentosa beach. Under Lye Hock's devoted leadership, the team has clinched 20 champion titles since 1988 at the annual National Lifesaving Championships organised by the National Sports Association and Singapore Life Saving Society and more than seven champion titles since 2000 at the annual NUS Lifesaving Invitational.
Although an avid sportsman himself, Lye Hock admits that he has had to cut back on some of his favourite hobbies such as squash, tennis and swimming as age catches up. He now prefers to focus his time on helping the Lifeguard Corps win more medals.
"NUS is a great place to be and I'll always cherish my time here, said Lye Hock nostalgically. "There will only be one NUS 110th anniversary and SG50 so this year is extra special.
Sim Lye Hock is one of NUS Everyday Icons ' people who have shaped the University in unique ways ' to be featured in a monthly series to mark NUS' 110th anniversary.
