PLANNER

JUL 4 Kayak n Run

Enjoy a picturesque kayak along the coast of Tai Tam Bay followed by an on-foot race across Dragon’s Back. 8am. Family race $450, adult race $900. Tai Tam Tuk, Tai Tam Bay. actionasiaevents.com

THROUGHOUT JUL

Bowling League

Tikitiki Bowling in Sai Kung will host a league every Tuesday throughout July. 6-10pm. $99 for two hours of bowling and free-flow drinks. 4/F Centro, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung.

tikitiki.hk

UNTIL JUL 18

SummerFest 2021

This year’s installations include a Monetinspired art garden, a light/shadow maze, onstage performances, handicraft workshops, a lifestyle market and pet-friendly activities. Times vary. Free. Central Harbourfront Event Space. summerfest-centralharbourfront.hk

JUL 1

HKSAR Establishment Day

JUL 1-4

The Jockey Club Heritage Education Programme

An exhibition featuring over 500 artworks by master trainers and students. 10am-10pm. Free. Art Space, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. ichplus.org.hk

JUL 3

Boundless Tempo Outdoor Yoga

Enjoy a complimentary outdoor yoga session in Stanley upon spending over $500 at the plaza. 10.30-11.30am or 3-4pm. Free. G/F Amphitheatre, Stanley Plaza. linkhk.com

JUL 3

Midsummer Race

Participants compete in a race across Shing Mun Reservoir. 3pm. $220. Shing Mun Reservoir Main Dam, Lower Shing Mun Road, Kam Shan. xterace.com

JUL 3

4th of July Showcase

Laugh the night away with eight of Hong Kong’s finest American comics. 8pm. $250. The Hub, 1/F Fortune building, Wan Chai.

thebackstagehk.com

JUL 3-16

Retykle Pop-up

Drop off your children’s unwanted clothes and shop for preloved and new designer children’s clothes, shoes and accessories at this twoweek pop-up. Free. 10am-7pm. 54 Yung Ping Road, Causeway Bay. retykle.com

JUL 8

Boozy Bliss Balls & Low Sugar Cocktail Class

Shima Shimizu of Sesame Kitchen demonstrates how to make her popular boozy balls and cocktails. $680. 11am-1.30pm. FoodCraft, 16/F, Yiuga Factory Building, 62 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town.

foodcraft.hk

JUL 9

Sustainable Australian Wines & Spirits Tasting

Sample cocktails made from food waste and a selection of sustainable wines. Members $200, non-members $250. 6.30-9pm. The Hive, 33-35 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan.

thehivesheungwan.com.hk

JUL 9-18

Jazz rhythms for kids

A 90-minute workshop for kids to learn about jazz with local musicians. $225. 2pm and 4.30pm. The Room, Freespace, West Kowloon, 18 Museum Drive, Tsim Sha Tsui. westkowloon.hk

JUL 10-11

Hong Kong World Champs

Those at the top of their game compete in activities including yoyo, kendama and jump rope. Families can join in the fun. Free. Freespace, Cultural District, West Kowloon, 18 Museum Drive, Tsim Sha Tsui.

westkowloon.hk

JUL 11

Young Theatre Makers 2021

A bilingual learning programme for middle school students which focuses on analysis of scripts and group discussions. 2.30pm. $120. Sai Wan Ho Civic Center Theatre. aftec.hk

JUL 11

Discovery Bay Sunday Market

Head to DB for this popular monthly market. Free. 11am-6pm. Discovery Bay Main Plaza, Discovery Bay. handmadehongkong.com

JUL 14-20

Hong Kong Book Fair

Enjoy literary workshops and seminars at this annual book fair. 10am- 10pm. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. hkbookfair.hktdc.com

JUL 27

Indoor Cinema: 101 Dalmatians

The Hive Sai Kung projects the original release of 101 Dalmatians on a big screen. Free (with drink purchase). 7-9pm. The Hive Sai Kung, 5 Tai Mong Tsai Road. thehivesaikung.com.hk

Dad about town

New dad on the block, Oliver Corrin broaches the subject of ‘Dad bods’

Let’s hear it for the boys. If you’re not flat out at the office, or on a call to New York in the early hours, chances are that your wife is kicking you out of bed at 5am to deal with the kids. So who can blame us for sneaking in a few cheeky pints and a bag or two of pork scratchings at Pier 3 having just ‘missed’ the DB ferry.

The problem is that with every ferry missed and every pint consumed, that belt needs to be loosened ever so slightly. That’s where ‘Dad Bod’ groups come in. Whether you want to lose the beer belly, meet other dads, or just have a bit of ‘me time’, there are plenty of groups out there to provide support, guidance and refuge from our usual daddy duties.

In Discovery Bay, we have DB Dad Bods, members meet every week for a 45-minute MetCon (metabolic conditioning) session - a mixture of strength and conditioning exercises. It’s pretty grueling but let’s be honest, if you’re not breaking a sweat, it’s probably not doing that much.

If time is tight, you can stay fit with an outdoor home workout. Grab a heavy dumbbell or kettlebell, some resistance bands and head down to the parking lot. There are thousands of free workout guides on YouTube, my personal favourite to follow is JTM_Fit, a former drug addict and Type 1 diabetic who is a complete beast and most importantly, not annoying to listen to.

Now, I’m not saying stop the pints and salty treats, but I promise that doing a little bit of regular fitness does wonders for the mind, body and soul, meaning you can reveal in a guilt-free ‘missed’ ferry from time to time.

If interested, check out DB Dad Bods Facebook page, they’re a great bunch of guys who would be happy to put you through your paces and share a pint at the end.