Around Lamma Island Race

We finished the final in 06:48.35 and placed us at 17th this time. I have no doubt we will reach a higher ranking in the future because we are determined and will persevere!

Chiu Hin Chun

From 8 to 15 September my partner, Chan Chi-fung and I participated in the World Rowing Championships (WRC). It was surreal to be able to row alongside top rowers from other countries. We had a tough time trying to keep up with the international standards because training and competition plans in the Hong Kong team have been disrupted by COVID-19. It was wonderful to see many friendly faces in the Labe Arena and it filled me with joy knowing that the rowing community stays well, active and safe despite the pandemic.

The racing experience was overwhelmingly remarkable. I was looking forward to it so much and I needed the adrenaline rush. The tension, the wind, and current all made me feel alive. In the past two years, being confined to training on our own, I felt lost from time to time when the training got rough and showed little progress. The WRC delightfully reminded me of my love for rowing- it’s my sport and my passion!

My partner and I trained hard to prepare for the lightweight men’s double sculls events. We wanted to test whether we are training efficiently and to locate room for improvement so that we can be better prepared for the Asian Games next year in Hangzhou. We felt that our performance in the WRC was not our best, and there is still more in our barrels to give! We now know what we can improve and will put our mind to it to perform stronger.

The experience in the WRC interestingly resembles how I feel when I row in the Shing Mun River in Hong Kong. The thrill, the sensations, and the heart that beats so fast, are strikingly similar. Not to mention, the race preparation and hard work too. I think the true competition lies within ourselves. It is the self-doubt we must conquer, the pain and injuries we must endure, as well as managing the hopes and expectations on us. I always am grateful for the trust from the coaches and support from my teammates. I give my very best in races so that I do not to let anyone down.

A special thanks to our fellow members at the Club, for cheering and supporting me and my partner Chi-fung Chan, Peter Lam and his partner Jack Wong, and the ladies in the team: Sheung Yee Wong, Winnie Hung Wing Yan, and Wing Wun Leung, who represented HKG in the women’s events. I look forward to seeing you cycling along the river or shouting from the pontoons! It would be even better if we could row together someday.

As the saying goes, “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going”. It is not always smooth water that we row on, what matters is that we keep rowing. I’ll see you on the water!

Men Unlimited

Around Lamma Island Race

WORDS: EKATERINA LUKYANETS | IMAGES: AMY DE VERA

OUTRIGGER CONTACT outrigger@rhkyc.org.hkThe beginning of October traditionally brings one of Hong Kong’s most challenging and exciting outrigger races of the year. On Saturday, 8 October, Hong Kong paddlers tested their endurance and paddling skills in the Around Lamma Island competition hosted by Lamma Paddling Club. This year, RHKYC entered 8 OC6 crews – setting a record for the highest number of entries from a single club in the history of the race!

Despite the strong competition and unusually hot weather for the time of year, RHKYC’s outrigger paddlers triumphantly brought home five sets of medals in multiple categories: three Gold, one Silver and one Bronze.

The race started at Power Station beach and headed clockwise around the picturesque Lamma Island, ending back where it started some 24 kms later. The races were split into two heats, with slightly more breeze in the morning and more prominent ama side waves in the afternoon. Part of the course took racers straight under the power station's loading facility, with only a couple of metres between the bridge's supporting structure, greatly testing steerers' focus and skills under pressure.

In the first heat of the day the Standard Men and Unlimited Men’s crews took 1st and 2nd place in their respective categories. In the afternoon, the Standard Mixed crew was awarded a Bronze medal and the Women's Unlimited team won Gold whilst also setting a race record for their category (previously held by RHKYC and set in 2017).

A second record was broken on the day by the Gold winners of the Unlimited Mixed team beating the previous record by more than 5 minutes. All in all, the 2022 Around Lamma Island Race was a very successful day for the Club’s Outrigger section!