by MPCor » Sun, 16 Nov 1997 04:00:00
I am transfering jobs to Hong Kong for a couple of years and I am looking for
any info or advice on windsurfing that part of the world. Not much coverage
in the American Magazines, so any help on where, when, shops, windy season,
wave locations, vacation spots, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks -
Mark
by LUK4WI » Mon, 17 Nov 1997 04:00:00
Mark,
I have lived there and sometimes there can be some pretty good sailing. The
only problem is the water quality. Most of the water is heavily polluted. To
get to cleaner water you may need to travel to the outlying Islands or Hong
Kong Islands South side. Fresh water reservoirs are not used for recreation
as fresh water can get scarce. Plover Cove Reservoir may be an exception.
Typhoons bring plenty of wind, so when signal number1(high wind warnings) are
posted it is time to sail. There are not much waves, after all HK is a natural
harbour. Big wave bay and Shek O beach may get some waves on the SE side of
HK Island as will some of the other Islands exposed S shores..
In Hong Kong land and real estate prices are probably the highest in the
world, traffic is terrible and most people use public transport(MTR subway ) .
Houses are also not too common unless you are lucky. Therefore storage
and transport of gear is a big problem. I think you can rent storage spaces at
some windsurfing clubs. Stanley beach on Hong Kong Island had some
windsurfing rentals as did Silver mine bay on Lantau Island.
"The PRO SHOP" in Kowloon has windsurfing gear and may be able to give you a
little more info. I don't remember the number, but it is in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Another resource will be the yacht Clubs. The Royal Yacht club (at least
when I lived there) on Hong Kong side and another one in Kowloon call Hebe
Haven Yacht Club located in Sai Kung .
I know that the new aiport on Lantau Island had to develop the worlds first
wind prediction and monitoring system for aircraft because of dangerous winds,
so it may also be a spot to check out.
The water is pretty warm in summer, but in winter a full wetsuit is needed.
Actually a HAZMAT suit and horse pills may come in handy too!
Good Luck
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LUK4WIND & CHASE IT
PLEASE NO SPAM
by Riccardo Fregg » Tue, 18 Nov 1997 04:00:00
If I were you, I'd take a plane to the island of Penghu (in the Taiwan
Strait) every weekend from October to March and use a 3.0 every &%*$!
day. You have to change planes in Kaohsiung on the way. It's not too
expensive. Clean water, Gorge-like winds, a nice local scene, good
quality rental (Mistral and Tiga), and they'll let you use their 2.0s
when you need them.
I think the guys at the Neilpryde shop in Kowloon know about this.
Otherwise you can email me for more info.