Every weekday morning, a group of weary students wake up at 5.45am for swim training before breakfast, led by Head of Swimming, Mr Malcolm Green. Many of these students will also train after school most days as well. The dedication of these students has led to their participation in three of Hong Kong’s most challenging open water competitions.
Cross Harbour Race
On 18 October, Singha Chau (Y10, Lloyd) along with Andre Lau (Y13, Waterman), Zahar Tate (Y9, Lloyd), Jasmine Chan (Y11, Smith) and June Chan (Y10, Smith) took part in the Cross Harbour Race, a 1.5km swim from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island. The Girls’ team came in 3rd place and the boys team placed second overall. Singha Chau swam the U16 individual race and came fourth.
World Cup of Marathon Swimming
The previous day, on 17 October, Singha Chau (Y11, Lloyd) took part in the final leg of the World Cup of marathon swimming, a 10km race in Repulse Bay, competing against World and Olympic medalists. Singha was the first placed swimmer from Hong Kong, finishing the course in 2hours 10minutes, an outstanding achievement.
The Clean Half – Stanley to Deep Water Bay
On 10 October, the School entered three teams who all swam amazingly well to finish the 15km Ocean Swim Marathon relay event that starts in Stanley and finishes at Deep Water Bay.
From the crush and thrash of swimmers racing off the beach and diving in at the start, through the race’s long mid-section of heaving swells, to the sprint finish into Deep Water Bay after more than four hours’ swimming, this event was a true test of fitness and stamina. It also demanded exemplary teamwork, which all the Harrow teams demonstrated throughout.
The Harrow Lions, consisting of Singha Chau, Frans Otten (Y12, Lloyd), Jonathan Leung (Y12, Lloyd), Zahar Tate (Y9, Lloyd) and Daniel Bristow (Y10, Cale) were a highly credible twelfth. Congratulations to the students in the two mixed teams and the staff team that finished 30th, 31st, and 38th respectively. Congratulations also to Mr Malcolm Green who was part of the two person team that won the 15km kayak and swim event. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for the students, and many thanks to all the parents that supported this event.