Hong Kong China Rowing Association

First time in over 60 years, on 11 March, 2017, we saw again Rowing Regattas returning to our iconic Hong Kong Victoria Harbour waterfront.
Organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC), co-organised by the Hong Kong China Rowing Association (HKCRA) and, endorsed by the Hong Kong Water Sports Council (HKWSC), over 150 junior and senior rowers from schools, universities and clubs took part in this full-day competition, highlighting the suitability of Hong Kong Victoria Harbour for rowing. Also, students from our community with local charity Project WeCan also took part in this event, to gain more experience in rowing and, to explore the opportunity to participate in coastal rowing activities in future.
The introduction of international level standard-design coastal rowing boats, specifically designed for open water, means that rough sea water conditions in the harbour are no longer a barrier to rowing competitions. Several clubs in Hong Kong have acquired such boats and coastal rowing is a growing trend in Hong Kong, across Asia and everywhere globally.
Hong Kong is bidding to host the 2019 World Rowing Coastal Championships and we aim to, have this major international event on our Hong Kong Harbour.
The competition yesterday was organised in a knock-out format with crews racing two at a time over a 600-metre course with one turn around a buoy at the half-way mark. This formed the basis for exciting racing, requiring not just good rowing technique, but the ability to race in rough water conditions. The challenging race conditions always produced surprising results, and the best women (and men) will come out of the top.
We were honoured to have friends observing this historic occasion. Some of our guests who will also show their support in getting on the water to join the victory parade to name a few:
– Miss LEE Yuen Yin, Hong Kong Rowing Squad Member and Rio Olympian
– Mr. CHAN Chi Fung, Gold Medallist in Asian Junior Championships and the 2016 Sports for Hope Foundation Outstanding Junior Athlete Awardee, Gold Medallist in 2016 Australian Open Regatta under 21 Lightweight Event
– Mr. WANG Shi, President of Asian Rowing Federation (ARF)
– Ms. Louisa MAK, Miss Hong Kong
We would like to thank everyone that made our event today happened, in particular,
– Hong Kong Marine Department
– Asian Rowing Federation
The 1st Asian Rowing Coastal Championships will be held in Shenzhen in December this year and is likely to attract a big entry from many Asian countries and regions.
We hope to see rowing will now become a regular scene along the waterfront, attracting interests from our community for participation in this life-long healthy water sport activity.