“I looked like a human submarine in the pool.”
That’s how Suzanne Seah, a former TeamSG national kayaker, remembers swimming while six months pregnant. Her husband, Lucas Teo, also a former national canoe sprinter, is now a coach at ActiveSG Canoe Academy. While their days of elite competition may be behind them, their passion for sport is still very much alive, especially in how they’re raising their two young children.
If you’re a Singaporean parent juggling career, kids, and, well, life, you’ll find Suzanne and Lucas’s story incredibly relatable. From sweaty playground adventures to shared climbing classes and even surviving pregnancy through a pandemic, they’ve found a rhythm that works.
And you just might want to copy it.
Here’s how this sporty duo keeps their kids active and engaged—and how SportSG’s Academies and Clubs can help you raise your own sporty kids without needing to be an Olympic athlete yourself.
From National Team to Family Team
Source: TODAY
Suzanne raced for Singapore for nearly a decade, from age 18 to 26. “I really enjoyed being an athlete,” she says. “It was one of the highest points in my life… full of energy, full of freedom.”
But things changed when she stepped into corporate life as a tax senior manager at PwC Singapore. “I don’t believe in doing things halfway,” she explains. “If I’m in a sport, I’m all in. If I’m in a job, I’m all in.”
So she left elite competition behind—but not the core values she gained from it.
Lucas transitioned from competitor to coach. Today, he’s shaping the next generation at the ActiveSG Canoe Academy—yes, the same one that you and your kids can check out if they’re curious about the sport.
Their shared sporting history gave them more than medals. “Because we both came from the same sport, raised in the same environment, we have a lot of shared values,” Suzanne says. “There’s not much argument on how we want our kids to grow and develop.”
Juggling Career, Parenthood, and Still Raising Sporty Kids
Photo from Suzanne Seah
Let’s be real. Parenting is a sport in itself. “It’s difficult, for sure,” Suzanne says. “There are only so many hours in a day.”
Her secret weapon? Lucas is the primary caregiver at home. “I don’t ever have to worry,” she says. “He takes care of the children, the home, everything. So when I’m at work, I focus on work. When I’m home, I focus on being present with the kids.”
And yes, while Suzanne’s job is demanding, their team-like parenting setup helps them stay grounded. Their son is 5, their daughter is 3. And both are growing up in an active, loving environment.
Sporty Kids Start with Sporty Habits—Even if You’re Not Sporty
So how can everyday Singaporean parents, ones without medals or marathon medals, raise sporty kids?
Suzanne is clear: you don’t need to be sporty to raise sporty kids. What matters most is your involvement. “Parents don’t have to be overly sporty,” she explains. “Nobody is born sporty. Not even the child.”
Photo from Suzanne Seah
Her advice? Learn with your kids.
“Nowadays, classes allow parent-child combos. Like my daughter goes for climbing class—and I sign up with her. I’m not great at climbing, I’m not a climber. But we learn together.”
The takeaway? Let your kids see you try. Let them see you make mistakes. That’s how you model confidence, not perfection.
How They Stay Active as a Family (No, It’s Not Always Fancy)
One word: water.
“Our go-to family activity is going to the pool,” Suzanne says. “My children love being in the water. And let’s be honest—Singapore is really hot. It’s refreshing for all of us.”
When they’re not splashing around, you’ll find them at the park or playground. “We climb up, climb down, climb up again—it’s not glamorous, but it’s joyful.”
Their other go-to? The Singapore Zoo. “We go for hours and hours, round and round.”
They never present these activities as “learning” or “fitness.” Instead, they focus on fun. “Children seem to be allergic to learning anything,” Suzanne jokes. “They want to learn it organically.”
How Kayaking Shaped Their Parenting
Photo from Suzanne Seah
The sporting values Lucas and Suzanne picked up are now core parts of how they parent.
The first? Dexterity. “It’s about being agile, bending when life throws you something unexpected,” Suzanne says. “Instead of reacting with frustration, you adjust your plans.”
The second? Resilience. “Sport was never smooth sailing. There were six-month slumps where it felt like nothing was working. But we learned that the dip is part of the journey.”
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They’re now instilling that same mindset in their kids—one where it’s OK to fall, as long as you get up again.
Want to Raise Sporty Kids? This Is Where It Starts
If you’re hoping to raise sporty kids who are confident, active, and having fun—not just chasing medals—SportSG’s Academies & Clubs is your go-to. These programmes are designed for real families, just like yours, who want their kids to move, grow, and fall in love with sport.
Since 2016, A&C has created space for every kind of kid—shy ones, wild ones, water lovers, ball chasers, even little dancers. From canoeing and football to tennis, water polo, basketball, athletics, and more, there’s something for every passion. And yes, they grow with your child, from first-timers to more serious young athletes.
It’s not about perfect form or podiums. It’s about resilience, fun, and learning to show up. And no, you don’t have to be a sporty parent to raise sporty kids. Just be present. Be game to try. That’s where the real magic happens.
Join the Fun
Raising sporty kids isn’t about personal trainers or protein shakes. It’s about being willing to get sweaty, silly, and sometimes a little lost in the moment. It means showing up, falling off the monkey bars, and saying, “Let’s try that again.”
As Suzanne says, “It’s OK to not know, because even mummy doesn’t know.” And honestly? That’s half the fun.
So dive into the pool, climb that jungle gym, or sign up for that parent-child class you’ve been eyeing but avoiding. And if you’re looking for a place to start? SportSG’s Academies and Clubs make it ridiculously easy to get moving—as a family.
Because sporty kids don’t come from perfection. They come from parents who show up in sneakers.
