The Details
On Saturday 15th December, the Lantau Island Outrigger Canoe Club (LIOCC) held their annual fun day of racing as a way for paddlers around Hong Kong to let their hair down at the end of the season.
70-odd paddlers from 5 outrigger clubs were split into a red team and a white team, which meant we were paddling with people from different clubs. The day consisted of 250m and 500m sprints with a turn. The white team started strong in both paddling prowess and team chanting skills, but soon enough the red team's points were creeping up the board. Although the day is a fun day with the racing not meant to be so serious, the competitive side came out in everyone as strategies were hatched and inter-team teasing began!
The Drama!
The final race of the day was the traditional relay which saw a couple of people eating sand (as they tried to sprint too fast up the beach), and one red crew huli (capsize) twice before evening starting to paddle! The first 6 red paddlers took off down the beach and jumped into the outrigger from the right side with no one holding down the ama (floating arm) on the left side, causing the canoe to huli! As raucous laughter and shrieks came from the beach, the now soaking wet red crew flipped the boat back over and tried to clamber in again, only to flip it a second time! As the white team smiled with glee at their chance to get a good head start, the race director blew his whistle and called everyone back to restart the race, giving the red team a 5 second penalty. Despite this, the red team managed to win the relay and thus the whole day, while all the white team could do was chant "Huli! Huli!" to the reds in attempt to taunt!
The Dining
Empty bellies post-racing were soon filled as we enjoyed a BBQ on the beach, with delicious meat from Chef Pour Toi and salads provided by the LIOCC members, and of course an odd beer or wine here or there.
Thanks to everyone who participated!
