Children love playing with water, whether it’s splashing around in the tub or pool. For those more adventurous, Hong Kong is a wonderful place for water sports with the young ones. While our beaches are far from pristine, they are in plentiful supply. Many are sheltered by mountains which make for safer swimming currents, especially for children. In addition, our mild yet windy climate
provides the perfect setting for water sports, while offering plenty of thrills.
Water sports are great for kids. Not only do they help improve coordination and motor skills, they’re also loads of fun and look so cool – at least, when done right! In Hong Kong, many classes
are available for children from eight years old and most classes require participants to be able to swim at least fifty metres. This is because water sports require somewhat greater strength and coordination than other activities, such as swimming or soccer. There are advantages to starting early, as Darren the owner of Splash Hong Kong explains. “Children learn much easier and faster than adults. Their innate fearlessness is also a big plus, although
that might add a few grey hairs to parents watching from shore.”
According to Fesco, an instructor at Aqua Bound, “sailing, kayaking
and wake-boarding are good introductory activities for younger
children. Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) require more strength and power, and are therefore more suitable for early teenagers.” While not compulsory, he adds, “children who have had experience swimming in the sea are much more confident when encountering waves and low water visibility.”
Making waves
Hong Kong has many water sports centres, both publicly and privately run, offering a rich variety of activities for children. The Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has set up five centres, offering beginner classes in kayaking, sailing and windsurfing for children aged eight to 13-years old. As these classes are affordably priced, around $30 for a group kayaking class, they are in high demand with places allocated through a balloting system.
1 Located in the Sai Kung Country Park, Chong Hing Water Sports Centre has a large lake, ideal for young beginners. Kayaking, sailing and windsurfing courses are available for children from eight to 13-years old. The centre also organises races and competitions for children. The Leisure and Cultural Services
Departmnt (LCSD), High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung. Call 2792 6810.
2 Stanley Main Beach Water Sports Centre is ideal for children and
beginners with its popular beach and calm seas in summer. In addition to equipment rentals, junior windsurfing, kayaking and sailing courses are available. And if your kids get hungry? Just take your pick from the many family-friendly restaurants nearby. LCSD, Stanley Link Road, Stanley. Call 2813 9117.
3 Tucked in a quieter stretch of Stanley, the St Stephen’s Beach Water Sports Centre offers kayaks, dinghies and windsurfing rentals, in addition to junior kayaking lessons. Autumn is the best time for beginners here, with much calmer sea conditions and a slightly less fierce sun. LCSD, Wong Ma Kok Path, Stanley. Call 2813 5407.
4 Looking to do some biking in addition to kayaking? The Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre is set between beautiful green hills and blue seas, with BBQ pits conveniently on hand. Junior kayaking
and sailing courses are available. LCSD, Main Dam, Plover Cove Reservoir, Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po. Call 2665 3591.
5 Equipment rentals for kayaking, sailing and windsurfing are provided at The Jockey Club Wong Shek Water Sports Centre. A wide range of classes are also available for children such as the two day beginner’s windsurfing classes and the junior kayaking classes. LCSD, Wong Shek Pier, Sai Kung. Call 2328 2311. There are also several privately operated options offering a wide choice of courses and equipment rentals for families.
6 Situated on Cheung Sha beach, the Long Coast Sea Sports Centre offers rentals and activities such as windsurfing, sea-kayaking, surfing and body-boarding. A two-day camp gives children, aged eight years onwards, a “sampler” of different activities. This centre also provides kite-surfing classes with three-day beginner courses from $4,500. 29 Lower Cheung Sha Village, Lantau Island. Call 2980 3222.
7 Aqua Bound Centre offers classes for windsurfing, kayaking, SUP and wakeboarding for children from eight years old. Membership fees start at $1,800 per person, with members getting discounts on courses and equipment rental. In summer, they offer a five-day, water sports “Fun Camp” for children aged eight years and above.
Stanley Main Beach, Stanley. Call 8211 3876.
Boats
8 Since 2007, over two thousand children have participated in the
Aberdeen Boat Club’s (ABC) popular junior sailing scheme, where kids from seven- to 11-years-old learn to sail on specially designed dinghies. These junior courses offer great value as they are subsidised by the ABC to promote sailing. Courses are also open to nonmembers. 20 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen. Call 2552 8182.
9 The Royal Hong Kong Yachting Club (RHKYC) offers a Youth Sail Training Scheme for kids from six-years-old, as well as courses for the whole family. In addition, the Youth Rowing Development Program is offered to coach and mentor school-aged rowers. Courses are also open to nonmembers. Kellett Island, Causeway Bay. Call 2832 2817.
Boards
10 Established in 1975, the Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre is the training ground of Olympic gold medalist Lee Lai San. While this centre specialises in windsurfing, rentals for kayaks and SUP boards are also offered. Courses are taught by certified coaches with beginner classes starting from $1,500. On site is an outdoor cafe with amazing views and a family-friendly menu, offering the perfect way to end an action-packed day. 1 Hak Pai Road, Cheung Chau. Call 2981 8316.
11 The Hong Kong Windsurfing Centre puts on one-day courses for children aged nine-years-old and above, from $450 per person. Students cover the basics from safety to balancing and tacking, and are issued a certificate from the Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong. Boards and kayaks are available for rent. Shop 13, 1/F, Ko Shing Building, 9 King Man Street, Sai Kung. Call 2792 5605.
12 At The Wakeboard Centre classes are available for wakeboarding, wake-skating and wake-surfing. Several schools have also held educational learning activities here. Courses start at $850 for weekdays and $900 for weekends and holidays. 101 Tai Tam Tuk Village. Call 3120 4102.
13 Close to Tai Po Market, The Wakeboard School provides courses for all levels of riders. Their focus is on building core fundamentals for their students with the added incentive of “learning new tricks with fewer falls”. G/F, 7 Yue On Street, Sam Mun Chai, Tai Po. Call 8202 3669.
14 Treasure Island Group organises surf camps for children, from beginners to intermediates. The Grommet Surf Camp for beginners aged five to nine years old, is priced from $3,980. Pui O Beach, Lantau. Call 2546 3543.
Bubbles
15 Diving in Hong Kong might not seem like the best idea given low water visibility. However if you take the plunge you might spot some clownfish, seahorses or even parrotfish! At Splash, kids familiarise themselves with the equipment and learn some basic diving skills in the safety of the pool, before heading into open water. Their introductory courses, such as the Bubble Maker and PADI Seal Team, are available for children from eight years
old onwards and cost around $1,600. 58-72 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung. Call 2792 4495.
The post Water wonderland appeared first on Playtimes.