Tired of your weekly tennis match, or has the thrill of the treadmill lost its appeal? Do you harbor desires of adventure or to once again feel the wind in your hair (or gliding around your aerodynamically balding head)? If you’re feeling guilty about spending another weekend on the sofa, tucking into another large bag of crisps, or want to work off that beer gut, here are some great outdoors sports that will push you to the limits and get more than your hands dirty. Just don’t wear your best shoes to do it.
Paragliding
Hong Kong might seem an unlikely place to find people kitting up to go paragliding, what with buildings, pylons and airplanes all vying for valuable air space. Yet despite its relatively small area, Hong Kong has eight approved paragliding sites, the tallest of which is Pat Sin in the New Territories, at 2,500 feet. From there you can soar above the stunning Pat Sin Leng Country Park, with downtown Shenzhen right behind you.
Other popular gliding sites include Pak Tam Au, which boasts breathtaking views of the Chinese coast, and Shek O, the most frequently flown site in the region, where gliders float down the Dragon’s Back ridge towards the tiny dots sunbathing on the beach below. Local veteran paraglider Yuen Wai-kit recommends the long beaches of Lantau Island for a truly memorable experience. “First time gliders can try the tandem glide to get a taster,” he says. ”We have all kinds of people doing the sport, rich guys, professionals, and poor guys like me! We all just love to fly.”
In order to paraglide in Hong Kong, you’ll need to get your license and permission from the
Hong Kong Paragliding Association (2543-2901,
www.hkpa.net), the local regulating body. Lessons are available but pricey, and the association recommends that you learn abroad where it’s cheaper and less crowded. It’s worth the effort, however. Indeed, it’s such an addictive hobby that the association warns that many who get involved put themselves at extreme risk of AIDS (Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome)
Hashing
Hashing began in Kuala Lumpur in 1938 when a group of British colonial officers and expats began laying paper trails through the countryside each Monday evening (put down by the “hare” and followed by the “hounds”). They would run the course as a team before a ceremonial meal in their “hash house,” the Royal Selangor Club, in order that they might, in the words of their own venerable constitution, “get rid of weekend hangovers.”
It wasn’t long before they caught on abroad and since the 1970s hashes have been popping up all over Hong Kong. Many of the hashes have military backgrounds—the Australian, British and American troops posted to Siu Sai Wan Intelligence Centre formed a hash with their family and friends in 1979. Mark Hope, current grand master of the
Little Sai Wan Hash House Harriers (
www.datadesignfactory.com/lsw), explains: “hashing is open to one and all, with groups made up of local Chinese, expats and just about everyone from different backgrounds and ethnicities as well as visiting hashers in town looking to socialize.” A high fitness level helps but is not essential—the stronger runners sprint ahead and mark off the “true trail,” ensuring the hares aren’t leading the hounds down any dead ends. Besides weekly hashes, there are a number of special runs, such as the white-knuckle “T8 Hash” and yearly Hong Kong-wide “Santa Hash” in aid of Operation Santa Claus. Despite its military beginnings, hashing is a family-friendly hobby with no booking or equipment required, simply check out this site: home.netvigator.com/~hasher/ to find your local Chapter—and get your shorts on!
Paintballing/Wargaming
Paintballing is truly one of the dirtiest sports and beginner paintballers will almost certainly leave the site dripping in different colored paint. For some unique fun, head over to
Island X (6/F, Creative Mansion, 6-8 Chatham Court, Tsim Sha Tsui, 6177-5844), which holds sessions on Cheung Chau providing indoor and outdoor venues perfect for parties and weekend excursions. Another adrenaline sport offered by Island X is wargaming (a variation played with airsoft guns and fake bullets instead) which offers the same adrenaline pumpin’ fun without the messy paint experience. For a more exciting time rent the space for an overnight session.
Paintball Headquarters (3106-0220,
www.paintballhq.com.hk) offers paintballing for up to 60 people and provides all the equipment you’ll need, such as jerseys, gloves, pants, up to 150 paintballs, and even your own bandana.
YSO Wargames (9837-5764,
www.ysowargames.com) offers Sunday sessions of wargaming at the extremely low price of $280 for a full day of gaming (10am-4:30pm), a price that includes transportation to and from the site, lunch, and full equipment rental. For all your paintballing and wargaming equipment needs, visit online store
Camotree (9463-3687,
www.camotree.com).
Mountain Biking
This increasingly popular sport involves navigating a variety of terrains and having nerves of steel. Bob Smith, chairman of the
Hong Kong Mountain Biking Association (
www.hkmba.org), recommends that beginners go on a skills training course to learn basic handling, safety and to get all the pearls of wisdom from the experts. As with all outdoor sports, there are some risks involved, as trails often go through rocky terrain and up steep hills. However, it’s a great form of exercise, allowing you to get into great condition pretty quickly, while taking in the fresh mountain air and breathtaking views. Your best bet is to buy rather than rent. Helmets are required and you should get kitted out with elbow/knee/shin pads and protective gloves. A good mountain bike will cost at least $5,000, but renting to start with is fine.
