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
Department (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.
For those focused on a particular sport,
there are several places in Hong Kong
specialising in activities such as sailing,
windsurfing or diving.
March 2016
49
Photos: Aqua Bound Centre
