Testing the waters: Coastal rowing can find mass appeal as a spectator sport on Victoria Harbour, say rowers
- Sport can gain wide popularity as more spectators can watch the race according to Hong Kong Asian Games rower Lee Ka-man
- Coastal rowing held the Asian Championships as a precursor to next year’s world championships at Victoria Harbour
With abundant facilities and Victoria Harbour serving as a spectacular backdrop, coastal rowing has been given the thumbs up as a new sport that could really take off after organisers tested the waters at the Asian Championships over the weekend.
For many years, Hong Kong rowing has been restricted along the calm waters of Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, but coastal rowing is breathing new life into the sport with Asian Games medallist Lee Ka-man saying it could appeal to a much wider audience in the city.
Lee Ka-man, along with her sister Lee Yuen-yin, won the women’s double sculls at the regional championships that took place at Victoria Harbour and they enjoyed the unique experience.
It’s the first time the event was held in Hong Kong as a build up towards the world championships that will be held here next year.
“Coastal rowing is very challenging for the crew but has a strong potential for future development as a spectator sport,” said Lee, who claimed a single sculls bronze medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta and also silver medals at both the 2006 and 2014 Asian Games. “The competition is held along the coast which will appeal to more fans and we have many vantage points in Hong Kong that are suitable for the sport to be held here.”
