Paddling Around the World

Dubai offshore sailing club

WORDS AND IMAGES: JOHN MCLENNAN AND ROB SERJEANT

Whilst Hong Kong has faced a tough fifth wave of Covid-19, some of our members have made the most of their time whilst traveling to paddle at various places around the world. John McLennan shares his experiences of paddling in Hawaii and Dubai whilst Rob Serjeant talks about his time paddling in Singapore and Sydney.

John McLennan

Hawaii is a week on the borrowed boat from Kamanu. Dealer perk. Unfortunately, it was a week without much wind. A first for me in Hawaii. I still had a chance to paddle at sunrise, saw a few whales with calves and did a bit of surfing with Jack Seymour at the Mokes off of Lanikai beach. It is always magical paddling at this spot.

Whilst, Dubai has a vibe all into itself, a core of epic hard-core paddlers forms the Dubai Outrigger Canoe Club, and they are always welcoming whenever I am there. Doug Woodring had a chance to paddle with them during his trip before Christmas. Onshore winds make for launching and coming back in an adventure.

The Dubai offshore Sailing club (has reciprocal membership with the Club and super welcoming) have a huge surf ski contingent. I was lucky enough to go out with Doan Weber and her husband Mark (formerly VRC members). Flat water but, just my style in a ski. No matter where you go in the world that is close to wave, there are usually paddle clubs around and the fraternity of paddlers as some of the most welcoming people you will ever meet. It is a bond through the love of paddling.

Rob Serjeant

Taking some time away to catch up with family and friends outside of Hong Kong is always a welcome diversion. The short break from training often has a good, energising effect. Sometimes though the time away must be a lot longer – like now. Catching up from years apart, needing a mental health holiday from the Covid malaise. It's good, but it can take a toll on all the hard work and development over the years. Fortunately, the global paddle community has been there to help.

First stop Singapore with the Singapore Paddle Club (SPC). RHKYC OC pillars Jeremy and Deane Young who moved there last year helped me get on to a Sunday training session. Social distancing at five in a canoe made it more of a workout in the OC6. Fitness, fun, and a chance to compare notes on technique made for a great bit of experience. Not to mention catching up with the Youngs and see some familiar faces who moved over from HK over the years.

Second stop Sydney with the Pacific Dragons club outrigger canoe section. The paddle spirit extends across and beyond our own club. A couple of Victoria Recreation Club (VRC) alumni living in Australia made the connection for me to join in some of the regular sessions. While there are no social distancing provisions I still ended up in crew of 5 in an OC6... this may be a theme for me this trip... and away we go through the Harbour. Fantastic endurance set to get right into the grind. Paddling past the city scape, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and into the inner bays during sunset made for a life memory. Paddling back in the night against the city scape and bridge lights took it up another notch. Will be back out with the crew again this evening when I finish writing this and look forward to a few more sessions down under.

John with Dubai Outrigger Canoe Club

Not sure yet where our next stop will be after Sydney. Still have a few more things to do and catch up on before returning to HK. Hoping that there will be the chance to connect with other OC clubs along the way. Looking forward to returning to the RHKYC OC section in good form and also enriched from the experience of new programmes, waters, and paddle mates. For your next break from HK consider looking up other clubs along the way, our community is wide and welcoming – and it’s a great chance to learn while possibly seeing familiar faces along the way!