Paddle Power
It’s the Tuen Ng Festival and that means one thing – dragon boat races! One of Hong Kong’s favourite sports, dragon boat racing is now popular throughout the world and many an overseas visitor will land in locally this specifically to be part of the dragon boat festival. A variety of organisations will hold dragon boat races around SAR this month – wherever you are, there is sure to be a race nearby. The HK Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship is one of the biggest but the following are some of the others, big and small.
Major dragon boat races:
June 17, Chaiwan Eastern District Dragon Boat Championship (www.buzzdragon.com); June 19, Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships (www.dragonboat. org.hk); June 23 and 24 HK International Dragon Boat Championship (www.hkdba.com.hk); June 22, The Second China University Dragon Boat Championship (www.hkdba.com.hk).
Local smaller dragon boat races:
June 15, Lamma Island (South) Dragon Boat Race (www.gov.hk); June 17, Cheung Chau Dragon Boat Championship (www.ntas.org.hk); June 19, Cheung Chau Dragon Boat Races (www.gov.hk); June 19, Shatin Dragon Boat Races (www.gov.hk); June 19, Tai Po District Dragon Boat Race 2007 (www.taipo.org); June 19, Tuen Mun Dragon Boat Races 2007 (www.gov.hk).

Midnight Fun
Runners can forget that early-to-bed routine on 30 June, when the Tai Po Sports Association will be holding a midnight run to celebrate the 10th anniversary of reunification. The association’s stated intent apart from the anniversary celebration is to help long-distance amateur runners improve to athlete level – we think you must be already three-quarters there if you’re going to do it at the witching hour! The deadline for applications is 16 June and the reception centre is at the Li Fook Lam Indoor Sports Centre. Application forms are available at www.tpsa.org.hk
What: 10th Anniversary of Reunification Midnight Run Where: From Hong Kong Science & Technology Park to the Lookout Tower in Tai Po Waterfront Park When: 11:30pm – 1:00am, 30 June How
much: $50 Enquiries: www.tpsa.org.hk or 2664 8661

Sails Ahoy
Victoria Harbour is still, after all, one of the most beautiful harbours in the world - so how does a brisk sail, or drift, on its blue waters sound in the hot weather? The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club thinks the answer to the summer work blues is the Sunset Series - 12 races every Friday early evening throughout the summer. This is no America’s Cup although prizes will be dished out to the first four place getters every Friday night and the overall winner will receive the Sunset Cup. The RHKYC is a members club, but if you’re interested in sailing then give the Sailing Office a call and they can usually help you find a boat. Not to mention having a spot of fun with other sailors. Results, rules and instructions are on the RHKYC web site.
What: Sunset Series 2007 When: Twelve Fridays, from June 1 until August 17 Where: Victoria Harbour How Much: $200 per boat for the series
Enquiries: www.rhkyc.org.hk

Wet Games
The Hong Kong Water Ski Association (HKWSA) will send a team of water skiers and riders to All Guangdong Games water ski and wakeboard tournament, to be held in Zhaoqing over June 16-17. Two categories are available: Men’s & Women’s Slalom, Shortboard (Trick), Jump (Open category only) and Men’s & Women’s Wakeboard (Open, Advanced and Intermediate). Application deadlines have already passed but if you are interested in water skiing and wakeboarding, you are welcome to go and watch the games. Zhaoqing is about 3.5 hours from Shenzhen by bus so take off for one or two days of aquatic thrills.
What: All Guangdong Games Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament When: 16-17 June Where: Zhaoqing, Guangdong, China How Much: tbc Enquiries: www.waterski.org.hk

Adrenal Overload
It will be all downhill thrills on the Hong Kong Cycling Association’s (HKCA) mountain bike race on June 24. And the scenery – if you’re not whizzing by too fast to notice – will be pretty amazing, so what better way to rid yourself of all the previous week’s stress? All the activities organized by HKCA are for members only but
member fees are less than $30, so if you’re a cycling junkie or even just a beginner, join up and be part of the downhill fun.
What: Hong Kong Mountain Bike Race-Series 12 When: June 24, Sunday,
9:00-14:00 Where: Ho Pui, Tai Mo Shan How much: It is only for members so please check the price at www.cycling.org.hk/Eng_Frame/ememinfoframe.htm Enquiries: www.cycling.org.hk