The Steelcase Dragon Run
OUTRIGGER CONTACT outrigger@rhkyc.org.hk
Rowing
On Saturday 13 November 2021, more than 40 Club paddlers took part in the 15th edition of the Steelcase Dragon Run, an independently organised event that takes place annually in November due to favourable sea conditions created by the northeasterly monsoon. The event which welcomes outrigger canoe OC1s, OC2s and surf skis had three racecourses for paddlers to choose from, a long course from Clear Water Bay out to the Ninepin Islands and down to Stanley Main Beach, a short course (named Chicken Run!) from Stanley Main Beach out to Cape D’Aguilar and back to Stanley and finally a Novice Course that was in Deep Water Bay for the first time this year. I hope you enjoy experiencing each of the three races through the perspective of Club paddlers through the following articles!
Steelcase Dragon Run Long Course 2021 W O RD S: CHRISTIN A PA RK | IM AGES: ST EFA N O DI MI CHIEL
Seymour, who is an avid paddler himself, shared that he expects a steady flow of 100 overseas paddlers to participate each year and when Hong Kong opens up again, the race will look forward to accommodating a record number of participants. We look forward to our boarders opening up again and welcoming our paddle Ohana from all parts of the globe. I’d like to take this time to thank our captains, coordinators and volunteers for making this event and season possible. Paddling has provided a much needed outlet during these turbulent times and the paddling community has provided a steadfast family, in the absence of being able to visit our loved ones. Congratulations to Men’s captain Ryan Lopes (2nd), David Smith (4th), Tom Armistead (5th) and Sarah Wilson (2nd), Christina Park (3rd), Erin Juhl (4th) and Martina Redaelli (5th).
his internationally renowned premier paddling race was started in 2007 by a small group of passionate surf skiers – Andy Orr, Oscar Chalupsky, Rob Wall, Rene Appel and Jon Dingley. Thanks to the pioneers, every year local paddlers and international paddlers alike look forward to the beautiful downwind course starting from Hong Kong’s iconic Clearwater Bay and ending at Stanley beach. This year not only was the traditional long course’s title up for battle but also the titles for the short course and the inaugural novice course, to accommodate all paddlers of different experiences and interests. Conditions were smaller than previous years, which made for a more technical paddle that required steady endurance. Paddling requires reading the waves and swells and being able to connect opportunities to surf continuously. VRC’s Nick Scott took home the OC1 men’s
34
| JANUARY 2022 AHOY!
title and for the OC1 women’s category, our very own women’s captain, Stephanie Tovoli, won the coveted first prize. Generous prizes and bragging rights were handed out to the top 5 of each category. Of the 10 OC paddlers who podiumed, 8 were RHKYC paddlers, marking another achievement and milestone for the club. Due to continued challenges with COVID and travel restrictions, the race entrants were all from Hong Kong for a second consecutive year. During the past races, the number of local Hong Kong entrants averaged around 70 athletes with a split between 25% Outrigger Canoe (OC) paddlers and 75% Surf ski paddlers. However, this year there were a total of 170 entrants with about 50% being Outrigger Canoe paddlers, reflecting just how much the paddling community has grown in Hong Kong. Race organizer Bruce
From top: Ryan Lopes; Stephanie Tovoli women's OC1 long course winner
