Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Returns to WA Waters

A squad of 10 athletes from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) Youth Rowing Team arrived in Perth on 24 June as part of Rowing WA’s Asian Engagement Program, returning to Western Australia to compete at All Schools Regatta #2 for the second consecutive year.

The visit highlighted the growing relationship between RHKYC, All Saints’ College and Curtin University Boat Club (CUBC), a partnership that has continued to strengthen over the past three years. The ongoing commitment of RHKYC Youth Coach Joey Wong, together with the support of Samantha Rees, Nick Tejchman and CUBC, has helped create meaningful opportunities for young athletes to connect through rowing while building lasting international friendships.

The tour was made possible through the support of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) and forms part of Rowing WA’s broader work to position Western Australia as a destination of choice for international rowing engagement and development.

Shortly after arriving in Perth, the visiting squad toured the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), gaining insight into the athlete pathways and high-performance environments available within the state. The group also participated in a regatta preparation session led by Rowing WA School Development Officer, Lara Glendinning, helping athletes better understand the local racing environment ahead of competition.

Training opportunities throughout the week allowed the RHKYC athletes to integrate with the All Saints’ rowing program, creating new connections while strengthening those established during a previous visit. The value of these relationships was evident as athletes reconnected with friends made during earlier exchanges and shared experiences both on and off the water.

During the week, when weather conditions forced a change of plans, the group adapted quickly, taking part in an indoor ergometer session led by Nick Tejchman. Drawing on his recent experience working within the Hong Kong sporting system, Nick shared valuable insights while creating opportunities for athletes to explore different coaching approaches and training perspectives.

A highlight of the visit came during boat loading ahead of the regatta, where Olympian Glen Loftus shared stories from his rowing journey and reflected on the importance of enjoying the sport while embracing opportunities at every level of participation.

Competition at All Schools Regatta #2 provided the perfect culmination to the week. Despite challenging crosswinds, crews raced strongly, with the RHKYC squad improving on its medal haul from 2025 and returning home with five medals. Composite crews featuring athletes from both programs also enjoyed success, demonstrating the strength of the partnerships developed through the exchange.

Beyond the racing, the visit showcased the unique experiences that Western Australian rowing can offer and reinforced the value of international engagement in creating opportunities for athletes, coaches and clubs alike.

Rowing WA thanks Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, All Saints’ College, Curtin University Boat Club, the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, and all individuals who contributed to the success of the tour.

We look forward to continuing to strengthen our connection with RHKYC and the Hong Kong rowing community, including the opportunity to reconnect with athletes at the 48th Hong Kong Rowing Championships in November 2026.

Read more about the opportunity to race, cox and coach at the 48th Hong Kong Rowing Champinships here.