65th Head of the Bay Regatta W O RD S: A BI WAT T A ND CHRIS KN O L L M A N | IM AGES: RHK YC
CONTACTS Rowing Manager rowingmanager@rhkyc.org.hk Coastal Rowing coastalrowing@rhkyc.org.hk Shatin Men’s Racing shatinrowingmen@rhkyc.org. hk Shatin Women’s Racing shatinrowingladies@rhkyc.org.hk
Rowing
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s the summer heat descended upon Hong Kong, competitors in the coastal rowing scene spent the month of May preparing for the 65th Head of the Bay regatta. Held on 22 May, the Head of the Bay was the first race of the year to take place under proper summer conditions; testing crews’ speed alongside their ability to navigate turns and obstacles in Deepwater Bay – either over a short course of 2,500m or a long course of 4,200m. The morning dawned after a night of showers and the water was flat and calm with little wind. Volunteers arrived at 0730hrs to prepare for what
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would be a long day of directing crews, wrangling boats, timekeeping and keeping competitors safe on the course from RIBs. There was much to be done before the racing kicked off at 0900hrs. 91 boats were entered into the Head of the Bay, rowed by more than 180 competitors from eight different clubs, ranging in age and experience from middle school students to seasoned masters rowers. The racing started off strong with the Open C4x+ setting the fastest time of the day on the long course in the first race. As the racing continued, juniors, novices, university and masters rowers competed in boats of
