“THE DRAGON RUNâ€
NOVEMBER 24, 2007;
International Surfski and Outrigger Championships
Hong Kong will be the stage of an International Surfski and Outrigger solo race across some of the best paddling waters in the territory on November 24. The race will be approx 20-26km, depending on the conditions on the day, and pass through some beautiful scenery.
Conditions at this time of the year are great for paddling. The North East monsoon – the prevailing wind at that time of the year in this part of the world - should provide for some excellent down wind paddling conditions. If the prevailing winds blow, the proposed race course should offer approximately 15km of down wind paddling. Water temperatures will be around 23 degrees Celsius, with air-temperature between 18 and 27 degrees.
In Hong Kong East meets West, and there is plenty to do and see other than paddling. Hong Kong is famous for shopping and eating but it also offers a range of great cultural experiences and, as anyone who has been here will tell you, is a fantastic place to have a serious party.
Prize money will be a minimum US$10,000. The prize money break down, logistical arrangements and routes will be announced soon. There will be a limited number of surfskis available, new Epic V10’s, and a variety of used surfskis from different manufacturers that will be made available by local paddlers.
If you are interested in participating in the race and need to charter a surfski please drop us an e-mail to [email protected]. More details on availability and charter fees will become available soon.
Please note that there are direct return flights from Hong Kong to Dubai, and Perth, making it possible to attend 3 World Class paddling events in a short time span.
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As announced earlier, “The Dragon Run†surfski and outrigger canoe race will take place in Hong Kong on Saturday November 24, 2007. A map of the proposed course – 27km - is attached and, with the prevailing wind at that time of year being from the NE, 15km of the course should be down wind. Generally speaking, if “normal†conditions prevail, we would expect a steady NE wind and waste/chest high swell through the down wind sections.
Our prize money is currently set at US$10,000, with the break down being as follows:
- 1st across the line: US$5,000
- 2nd: US$2,000
- 3rd: US$1,500
- 4th: US$1,000
- 5th: US$500
Should race organizers receive sufficient entries in the women’s category, an additional cash prize for the first woman home will be offered.
The race entry fee is HKD500 (approx US$65).
Oscar Chalupsky and Dean Gardiner – who have both paddled and partied (quite seriously!) in Hong Kong previously – have both confirmed their participation, and we hope that a number of other paddlers from around the world – both elite level and simply those wanting to experience one of the world’s great cities – will join us for the race.
A number of Epic and Fenn skis will be available for rent at a rate of US$250 for the race week. We can also offer visitors the use of a limited number of surf skis and OC1 canoes through the local paddling community.
Race organizers can recommend hotels to suit a range of budgets. In addition, a few members of the local paddling community have kindly offered to let visitors stay with them if the need arises.
We are hopeful of this race being given World Cup status but, as yet, nothing has been confirmed.
A race website is currently being established with the generous assistance of one of our race sponsors, Transact 24. A further announcement will be made when the site is up and running.
If you have any questions or wish to secure a ski for the race please contact Rene at [email protected] or Andy at [email protected].
