G6 Interview: Ray “Mr Happy” Hirang

This week, we be asking our third G6, Mr Ray “Mr Happy” Hirang his experience with the Windy’s so far, his likes and dislikes of Dragon Boating and who should play him in a film…

Q: How did you find out about the Windy Pandas and who/what made you join the team?
A: I recently started learning salsa early this year where I met Edith “The Jukebox” Kwok, so happens she joined this dragon boat team. She mentioned she knew a Filipino on the team. Such a small world it was Pol “Dancer” Tumalaytay whom I knew for donkeys. Anyway, she suggested I should join the crew and the rest is now history.

Q: How is your experience so far? Is it what you expected so far? or not at all…
A: So far so good, Team Windy Panda seems to be a good bunch. Everyone seems to be fun and chirpy, but during a race stone cold Steve Austin. I made really good friends within the team and always look forward to the next training session.

Q: What are your goals/objectives with joining the Windy’s?
A: It started out I need to participate in a team sport, meet new friends, take up a new activity and look goood! Windy Pandas pretty much fits the bill. As for goals, I have yet to receive a medal this year, something to aim for the rest of the season.

Q: What are your likes and dislikes about Dragon Boating??
A: I love Dimsum after training, I would probably not get up that early in the morning to train if there was no Dimsum. I dislike those plastic paddle, how can I put it?? They are heavy, do not enter the water as smooth as wooden paddle. As if you were paddling with a heavy, plastic food container from a Chinese take away.

Q: How is your technique coming along?
A: I think I am getting better at it. I recently got the twisting action which baffled me for months. Wearing this coke bottle contraption on my elbow and sitting in front of Ting really helped, the sudden panic I feel when she shouts make me more wary of the twist and the technique. I find the trick is to think about earning your dimsum.

Q: What are your fondest memory so far? Any interesting stories to tell?
A: Semi-final at Marlow regatta this year, had to race against people from the team. Friendly competition wouldn’t hurt. They won the race but Hey!! We are better looking half of the whole team.

Q: Who’s your favourite Panda whom you didn’t know before you joined the team?
A: Karen “Shower gel” is funny as hell. I thought Canadians are goofy and funny in general but this one takes it into a whole new level with quirky dance moves and funny impressions.

Q: Any advice for those that are looking to take up the sport?
A: If you’re a girl make sure you buy your gear in tandem colours. That seems to be becoming a common thing now. If you’re a guy, don’t forget to bring the baby oil.

Q: Moving onto other topic, if you can visit any in the country in the world, where would you go and why?
A: For now I would say Beijing China, to see the panda sanctuary and dwarf village. Oh! And the Great Wall of course!

Q: What are your most embarrassing moment?
A: I have too many. Let’s digress, shall we?

Q: And your proudest moment?
A: I used to work in Southwark where I would take a bus to work everyday and I would go acrossLondon bridge and have a view of Tower bridge. Each grey cold cloudy morning was a proud moment for me and I think to myself “I made it!! Working in the great city of London.. What a magnificent city this is!!”

Q: What did you grow up wanting to be? Your childhood dreams and ambitions?
A: “When I was young. I’d listen to the radio…” first thing came to mind reading the question,I think you know this song. 😀
Joking aside, I wanted to be that guy in the cinema who puts on the reel for people to watch the film. That dude gets paid to watch movies!!!.

Q: Tell us something interesting about yourself or unknown fact?
A: As active and cool I may come across, the actual fact is I am a Geek?! I work in IT as a programmer and I can play computer games 24/7. Deep inside I am a bit competitive, I like to be good at what I do even if it’s paddling or salsa dancing.

Fact!! my surname “Hirang” if translated to english means  “My darling” or “My sweetheart”

Q: What’s the best/worst practical joke anyone’s ever played on you? And vice versa?
A: My first job was working on a fast food restuarant, anyway there was this new guy who just started. As a practical joke we asked him to find the rubber ducky in the manager’s office. The poor guy spent the whole afternoon looking for it. Or maybe that was me?? I shall keep you guessing :

Q: If your life was to be made into a film, who would play you and why?
A: That guy who did Kung fu hustle, I tend to talk with my body and try to make people laugh. *Think he means Stephen Chow*

Q: Finally, when is your birthday?
A: It’s off season. March 20.  On other note, foreigner really do talk funny.. Innit blud??