Rowing and Paddle Sports Sunset Series

WORDS: NICK CRABB| IMAGES: IRENE OR

n 2020, having seen the tremendous success of the sailing Sunset Series throughout the last several years and the incredible atmosphere resulting at Kellett Island on a Friday evening, the Club’s rowing and paddle sport community agreed that it was about time to join in! Sadly, after most of the preparation was put in place to hold the race series last summer, plans were shelved as the Hong Kong lockdown was back with sports being cancelled thanks to the third wave of Covid-19 infections.

Moving forward a year to summer 2021, we were more than prepared to host a ‘trial’ series that would encompass coastal rowing, dragon boating and outrigger canoeing over four Thursday evenings throughout July and August. Unlike the amazing spectacle of having 50 sailing boats on the Club start line, the rowing and paddling version had to adapt as we needed to reuse the same boats (four dragon boats, three coastal rowing boats and two outrigger canoes) several times throughout the evening to ensure that the demand to race for satisfied. It was therefore decided that two short racecourses would be used throughout the series to allow for multiple crew changeovers at the Kellett Island slipway.

The first course used was the Harbour Regatta course, with the rowers and dragon boaters going around the course twice (approx. 1200m) and the outrigger canoes going three times (approx. 1.8km). The second we named the ‘Wan Chai Triangle’, a course that was approximately 1.5km, provided challenging turns for each of the crews from the three respective sports.

Wan Ng, previous Club Rowing Captain and current Hong Kong, China Rowing Association Chairman had a cracking series: “It’s more than a competition! It’s total enjoyment overflowing with rowing friends, good food, fantastic music, the amazing sunset and the surreal HK skyline night view!”

With an average attendance of 120 competitors (all of whom were internal Club athletes), the series took shape with the first races being held at around 1815hrs and the final races being held at around 2000hrs each evening.

“The Sunset Series has been a great addition to the racing calendar. Great to see the three water sports, (rowing, outrigger canoe, dragon boats) competing and celebrating at the same event” shared Paul Kidman who has organised coastal rowing outings out in the harbour on Wednesday evening’s since last summer’s preparation for this Series.

John McLennan shared Kidman’s opinion: “The Sunset Series is the perfect event that brings together rowers and paddlers from all sections of the club. Where else can you row, outrigger, and dragon boat with the epic back drop of the sun setting over the Victoria harbour, and even have a swim if you’re not careful. A must do event.”

Hopefully next Summer, social distancing restrictions will be relaxed therefore allowing us to invite teams from other Clubs to participate in the on and off water fun!

Race Course Waiting Area