Outward Bound Hong Kong has a new training boat to replace the retired Ji-Fung.
The 67-foot Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong is the largest training yacht in the SAR. She took part in the BT Global Challenge Race, the renowned 10-month round-the-world ocean race, in 1992-93 and 1995-96. Both local and overseas Outward Bound courses will be conducted on board. With a capacity of 16 people, Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong is equipped with 14 air-conditioned berths.
Among the first batch of participants using the new vessel will be the Hong Kong national rugby 15's squad, who are preparing for the Asian Championships in October.
'We are planning to spend a weekend on board in September, so that the players can get experience in handling unfamiliar situations for team building,' said team coach Terry Hart.
Hart, national head coach Ivan Torpey, players Brett Forsyth and Lalhlin Miller joined Outward Bound's honorary president Sir David Akers-Jones and executive director Jon D'Almeida at the launch ceremony for Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Founded by German educator Kurt Hahn in 1941, Outward Bound is a non-profit organisation that helps people discover and develop their potential in unfamiliar settings. It has been in Hong Kong since 1970. More than 130,000 people have taken part in its courses here.