Big Splash...was big.

What is the Big Splash? The Big Splash is an annual occurrence in Cempaka times, call it a tradition if you may, which involves many people (most of them being seniors) regardless of race, gender (or size) to take a harmless ‘dip’ into the local swimming pool here in Cempaka Damansara.

It’s done as a means of recognition, marking the end of the co-curricular term of seniors. The Big Splash marks the edge of the cliff for the five-year road. It’s as far as the seniors go. As far as we go. It happens every year after the i-Movie screening in Damansara Hall followed by the presentation of the most coveted First House Cup.

The losing house has its captains – male, female and also senior captain – thrown in by the captains of other houses, each sporting one member of his or her body. He and she are swayed back and forth and let loose on the third swing. Captains of the remaining houses followed in the order of last to first.

Following tradition, all seniors and captains gathered on the far side of the swimming pool with ties absent and smiles present. After a few (not so) short words by Dr Rizal, the event began with the losing house’s male captain, Nik Afiq, and then lady captain, Farah Diyanah, from Seladang, being thrown into the pool.

Okay, I lied. It’s not a harmless dip. It’s a full-on, all-out self-hurl into the pool. And it was fun. Knowing that in that split-second, you spent suspended in air would be the last moments spent as a Helang (whoops), knowing that your five years of contribution has surmounted to a momentary pause in mid-air, those precious few cries of joy and laughter with friends you have come to know from all of this; you begin to appreciate the slaving and work poured into making your sports house what it was.

The yearning for a sense of achievement presents itself and you are semi-sad, semi-happy that it’s all over... In short, it’s a marvellous way to go out. Win or lose, tears or smiles, that solitary jump means one heck of a big deal.