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COASTAL ROWING
INTRODUCTION
Coastal rowing, the adventurous side of the sport, involves rowing on different bodies of water - from rowing out into the sea, resting by the beach, or touring along the coast and so forth. It is one of the fastest growing rowing communities as it can be conducted over various water conditions.
Moving forward, it will be included at international games at the fourth Youth Olympic Games in Dakar in 2026.
| Coastal Rowing | Classic Rowing | |
| Condition | All kinds of conditions | Flat water |
| Boat Features | Wide, stronger build but heavier, stable but can cope with rough water condition | Streamlined & light, tippy yet good at cutting through water |
| Technique | Choose the best line of rowing & racing, adjust rowing strokes and technique at the right time | Going in a straight line, look for consistency and the ‘Perfect Stroke’ |
| Race Format | Varies, international formats include 4 to 6km races or beach sprints | Standard 2000m straight course |
DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG
Hong Kong is a very suitable city for coastal rowing, given its extensive coastline, geopark and its many beaches, bays and islands. The first known record of using a rowing boat to go around Hong Kong Island dates back to 1904. Before the establishment of HKCRA, various rowing activities were organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) in the Victoria Harbour and the southern waters of Hong Kong. In addition to RHKYC being one of the active sports clubs organising coastal rowing outings and races throughout the year, we look forward to more clubs and organizations organising coastal rowing in various waters around Hong Kong.
Courses
Since 2018, HKCRA has introduced courses to promote coastal rowing and nurture rowing talent. The Association is also actively collaborating with various organisations, and is helping them develop and deliver coastal rowing courses at their activity centres.
Venues
| Association / Club | Area | Facebook Page | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| HKCRA |
|
https://www.facebook.com/hkrowing | coastalrowing@rowing.org.hk |
| Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club |
|
https://www.facebook.com/RHKYCRowingSection | Rowing.Manager@rhkyc.org.hk ; coastalrowing@rhkyc.org.hk |
| Lantau Boat Club |
|
https://www.facebook.com/LBCRowing | rowing-chair@lantauboatclub.com |
| HKUST |
|
https://www.facebook.com/hkustwsc | wsc@ust.hk |
| Hong Kong Water Sports Council |
|
https://www.facebook.com/Hong-Kong-Water-Sports-Council-949581355157611 | info.hkwsc@gmail.com |
| Hong Kong Coastal Rowing And Paddle Sports Society Limited |
|
N/A | hkcrpss@gmail.com |
BOAT CLASSES
The World Rowing (WR) standardized the specifications for coastal rowing boats to ensure fairness in international competitions, and to enhance safety of coastal rowing outings. The boat classes include Solo, Double Sculls and Coxed Quadruple Sculls.
Solo
Max Length: 6.00m
Min Weight: 35kg
Coastal Events: CW1X, CM1X
Double Sculls
Max Length: 7.50m
Min Weight: 60kg
Coastal Events: CW2X, CM2X, CMix2X
Coxed Quadruple Sculls
Max Length: 10.70m
Min Weight: 150kg
Coastal Events: CW4+, CM4X+
EVENTS & RACES
With the increasing popularity of coastal rowing around the world, there are more events and races at both the local and international levels.
World Rowing Coastal Championships
Started in 2006, the pinnacle event on the coastal rowing racing calendar is the annual World Rowing Coastal Championships. The length of the race is typically 4000m for heats and 6000m for finals, with a number of buoyed turns included. The Hong Kong crew made its first appearance in 2013, represented by rowers from RHKYC and LBC.
In 2019, HKCRA organised “The 2019 World Rowing Coastal Championships presented by Dah Sing Bank”, which was the first recognised “M” Mark rowing event. For the first time held in Asia, the championships drew around 460 local and overseas competitors from 28 countries and regions who raced in the Victoria Harbour. The Hong Kong Team clinched a gold medal in coastal women’s coxed quadruple sculls and a bronze medal in coastal women’s double sculls.
Hong Kong Rowing Coastal Championships
To provide rowers with coastal racing experience and promote coastal rowing, HKCRA has organised the HKRCC since 2014.
Around the Island Race
Organised by the RHKYC, the Around the Island Race is a 45km race that goes around the whole Hong Kong Island. The race is notable by its long distance and very scenic course along the coastline of Hong Kong Island, featuring the metropolitan skyline on one side and tranquil nature on the other side. There is also a land-based 45km ergo challenge relay race running alongside to raise money for marine resource protection.
Coastal Rowing Tour (HONG KONG COASTAL ROWING TOUR)
The Tour suits all rowers of all ages and abilities. With the coastal rowing boats, rowers can enjoy and discover the natural beauty. In 2019, 54 rowers participated in the HKCRA first rowing tour to the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (印洲塘海岸公園). Many more outlying islands and beautiful coastlines are waiting for our exploration over the Hong Kong water.
# Credit to the Event Page of Around the Island Race https://www.atirhkrowing.com/ # Information from the Rowing Around the Island Race page https://www.atirhkrowing.com/
COASTAL ROWING BOAT RENTAL APPLICATION
If you would like to rent a Coastal Rowing Boat, please contact the Facilities Officers at 2699 7271 for any enquiries.
| Location | Type & No. of boats | Fees | Application/Bookings | Related Information |
| RHKYC – Kellett Island | Coastal Coxed Quads (4x+): 2 | – |
All bookings require at least 7 working days’ notices and are subject to availability. For bookings please email facilitiesmgt@rowing.org.hk |
Available days : Every Saturday & Sunday Morning Session (starting from 0900) Every Wednesday Night Session (starting from 18:30) (All sessions are “fleet” rowing with RHKYC) |
| YMCA – Wu Kai Sha | Coastal Doubles (2x) : 4 Coastal Coxed Quads (4x+): 4 |
YMCA Camp fee : $100 / person | Notice for using facilities at YMCA WKS | |
| YMCA – Wong Yi Chau | Coastal Doubles (2x) :2 | YMCA Camp fee : $100 / person | Notice for using facilities at YMCA WYC | |
| LBC – Lantau Boat Club | Coastal Doubles (2x) :2 Coastal Coxed Quads (4x+): 1 |
– | TBC | |
| Hong Kong Coastal Rowing And Paddle Sports Society Limited – Mui Wo Water Sports Centre | Coastal Single (1x) :10 | Camp fee : $100 / person | TBC |
| Location | Type & No. of boats | Fees | Application/Bookings | Related Information |
| RHKYC – Kellett Island | Coastal Coxed Quads (4x+): 2 | – |
All bookings require at least 7 working days’ notices and are subject to availability. For bookings, please email facilitiesmgt@rowing.org.hk |
Available days : Every Saturday & Sunday Morning Session (starting from 0900) Every Wednesday Night Session (starting from 18:30) (All sessions are “fleet” rowing with RHKYC) |
| YMCA – Wu Kai Sha | Coastal Doubles (2x) : 4 Coastal Coxed Quads (4x+): 4 |
YMCA Camp fee : $100 / person | Notice for using facilities at YMCA WKS | |
| YMCA – Wong Yi Chau | Coastal Doubles (2x) :2 | YMCA Camp fee : $100 / person | Notice for using facilities at YMCA WYC | |
| LBC – Lantau Boat Club | Coastal Doubles (2x) :2 Coastal Coxed Quads (4x+): 1 |
– | TBC | |
| Hong Kong Coastal Rowing And Paddle Sports Society Limited – Mui Wo Water Sports Centre | Coastal Single (1x) :10 | Camp fee : $100 / person | TBC |