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Forthcoming
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Club HistoryIt’s October 1993 and HKIPC is born with little more than half a share of a teak dragon boat, a few paddles and a temporary base at the Victoria Recreation Club (VRC) at Deep Water Bay. Fast forward to October 2003 and HKIPC are now the proud owners of four dragon boats, seven six-man outrigger canoes (OC-6’s), 3 OC-2’s and 7 OC-1’s, two rowing machines with paddle adaptors, a shed load of gear, a more permanent arrangement with the VRC and a significant budget over $800,000 per annum. That’s a pretty impressive development in 12 years. But is the increase in equipment, whilst confirming the club’s development, really the true measure of HKIPC’s success? Perhaps the real test of the success of HKIPC, which is one of the premier paddling clubs in SE Asia, is best measured in terms of the respect that the club is held both in the dragon boat and outrigger communities. This is based in terms of the commitment and selfless voluntary participation of our paddlers both in training and in all the ever-increasing numbers of jobs that need to be done behind the scenes in supporting our on-water activities. From an unknown entity in 1993, the HKIPC, driven by the passion of its members in their desire to excel at the sport, met their preliminary goals by taking the Stanley Residents Association dragon boat races by storm in 1994 and 1995 by becoming both men’s and women’s champions. HKIPC then went on to test its crews against the leading clubs in the region and in the world. We were soon to find out that being champions at Stanley was just the first of many steps in our development until we were be able to compete consistently and successfully with the local teams at the fishermen’s and other races in Sai Kung, Chai Wan, Tsuen Mun, Lamma, Aberdeen and Poi Toi, in the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races and in overseas races such as Taipei, Penang, Singapore, Thailand and China. But in the process of the club’s development there was a growing recognition that paddling dragon boats for six months of the year was not enough. So in 1994, HKIPC welcomed the arrival of Mahoa and Mahoe, twin Malia outrigger canoes, so that after the dragon boats were put to rest we could continue paddling on the open seas around Hong Kong. How did this come about? The seeds of the club germinated in a few who fell in love with paddling and quickly developed a passion for it. The club was small, but most of the HKIPC paddlers were professional people who brought to the club their professional ethics, expectations and drive. Our new recruits were made aware of our mission: we were a racing club (not a social club) and our efforts were directed to enable our teams to perform better on the water. Our goals were high and our expectations of paddlers were equally high. As a result lost a few paddlers who were not able to make the commitment. Nevertheless, many remain good friends and we are delighted to see many of our ex-paddlers now continuing the sports of dragon boat and outrigger canoe as leaders of other clubs in Hong Kong and overseas (London, England and Singapore). It is not without a sense of pride that we hear teams using commands and going through technique drills that HKIPC coaches have introduced. Racing is our raison d’etre and our racing success is the foundation of the club’s success. We have had excellent results in both dragon boat and outrigger canoe, but after a decade of races it becomes difficult to distinguish between them. It is often the other special and unique events and occasions in which HKIPC have participated which stand out and endure. Here are just a few of the highlights over the past 10 years:
So what sets us apart from other paddling clubs in Hong Kong? We offer paddling as a life style; our paddling season never ends. From January to June we train and race dragon boats and from July to December we paddle and race in outrigger canoes. One complements the other and whilst dragon boat is the sport on which we are founded, outrigger canoeing is just as popular. Furthermore, HKIPC now organizes its own annual Deep Water Bay dragon boat race every May. In 2006 we celebrated the seventh anniversary of the race which attracts many of the top teams to do battle on the calm and sheltered waters we call home. Our road over the past 12 years has not been without bumps, batterings and soul searching, but we have not only survived, but the club has gone from strength to strength and has gained an enviable reputation amongst paddlers of dragon boat and outrigger canoeing in Hong Kong and around the world. Our reputation has extended to the tourism industry in Hong Kong and we are repeatedly asked to carry out dragon boat workshops as a team-building exercise for visiting companies either in incentive tours or world and regional conferences. These workshops are often quoted as being the highlight of our clients’ visit to Kong Kong. Also due to HKIPC’s promotion of the sport of outrigger canoeing there are now five clubs in Hong Kong and other groups are showing interest. The HK Outrigger Canoe Racing Association has been formed with significant input from our club. We could not have done this without the help and support of the Victoria Recreation Club and we are most grateful for the committee and its members for allowing us to use the facilities in the oldest recreation club in Hong Kong. What does the next decade hold in store? Who knows? One thing is for sure, HKIPC is not going away and it will continue to compete at the highest level and to look for many more challenges both on and off the water. The guys and girls in purple are here to stay! |
Sponsors
Outrigger Connection 
Aedas Architects 
Saffron Cruises 
Devils Advocate 
Power Bar 
Typhoon 8 
Brand HK |
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© 2008 Hong Kong Island Paddle Club | Site designed & constructed by Thirsty Horse |
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