Commodore’s Message

Commodore Lucy Sutro

It was with such great sadness that we learned the news of the passing of our Vice Patron, Robert Wilson, on 4 November. Bob was a member of the Club for nearly 57 years and did more than most to further the sport of rowing at the Club and of sports in general in Hong Kong. A guiding principle of Bob's was that "Sport must be an enjoyable social activity that brings people together to enhance their lives" and these wise words remain very true today. A full tribute written by Mike Tanner is inside this issue.

The third race of the 2022-2023 Coastal Race Series will start on Friday 9 December, the race will be sailed in Hong Kong waters with the course being issued once weather information is better known. The Swiss Re YMC Alma Mater race will take place on Sunday 18 December and at time of writing the hard-working Youth Members Committee are close to their goal of 50 boats.

October and it was particularly gratifying to see many more university and local teams entered. Also in attendance was Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Clarence Leung and the Club certainly put on a fantastic event to showcase what we are all about. My thanks to everyone involved and there is a write up on the event in this issue.

As we catch our breath after a busy Autumn of race events, the rowing and paddle sports section is already gearing up for 2023 and with the expectation that we will start to see more international teams coming back to race in Hong Kong; we’re looking forward to more teams and bigger race events next year. This month is a chance to take stock and carry out repair and maintenance work on our now sizeable fleet of Rowing boats, Outrigger canoes and Dragon boats so we’re all set for 2023.

I would like to wish the RHKYC Charity Foundation at very happy 10th Anniversary. A special celebratory and fundraising event to mark this milestone was held at the end of November and I can share how successful the Foundation was in next month's Ahoy. Since its inauguration, the RHKYC Charity Foundation has helped over 3,000 underprivileged children, youth and old needy old mariners. It has provided financial and intangible support to 43 charitable organisations and engaged over 100 RHKYC members and staff volunteers on various charitable activities. Support is offered through various initiatives, be it through fundraising for donations to causes or delivering positive experiences to those less fortunate either on or off the water. My thanks to the RHKYC Charity Foundation Board, volunteers and all members who have contributed financially or with their time in this very worthwhile endeavour.

Remembrance Day Observances

To solemnly mark the sacrifice made by Club Members during the war the Club observed Remembrance Day on 11 November at 1100hrs when Commodore Lucy Sutro fired the cannon at the Turning Circle to signal the start of two minutes’ silence and fired a second cannon to signal the end.

Then at the official Remembrance Sunday Ceremony at the Cenotaph on 13 November, the Commodore laid a wreath on behalf of the Club.