📝 Row with the Pros: Coastal Rowing in Hong Kong Harbor

#hkwatersports Most water sports keep you close to shore, but coastal rowing puts you right out in the open water — with the Hong Kong skyline as your backdrop. I joined a beginner session with a local rowing club, and it was a workout, a sightseeing trip, and a history lesson all rolled into one. ⸻ 📍 Getting There (Row clubs have a few locations — mine was in Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter) • Took the MTR to Causeway Bay Station • From Exit D1, walked ~10 minutes to the pier area ⏱️ Travel time: ~20–25 mins from Central 💰 Transport cost: ~HK$10–15 ⸻ 💸 Price & Session Details • Beginner taster session: HK$300–400 per person (1.5–2 hours) • Includes boat, oars, life vest, and coaching • Private group lessons: from HK$1,000+ • Available on weekends and some weekday evenings ⸻ 🌊 The Experience We started with a land-based warm-up, learning how to handle the long oars and get the timing right. Once we pushed off, the boat felt surprisingly stable, but the real challenge was synchronising strokes with the rest of the crew. Gliding out of the typhoon shelter into Victoria Harbour was surreal — on one side, fishing boats and ferries; on the other, glass skyscrapers and the Peak in the distance. The steady rhythm of oars slicing through water was oddly calming, even as my arms started to burn. By the end, we’d rowed past the skyline just as the lights were coming on — a view you can’t get from land. ⸻ ⚠️ Tips for First-Timers • Wear sports clothes that can get a bit wet • Don’t grip the oar too tightly — it’ll tire your hands fast • Listen to the coxswain (steerer) — timing is everything • Bring water; rowing is a serious workout ⸻ ⭐ Final Thoughts Coastal rowing in Hong Kong Harbor is part fitness challenge, part postcard moment. It’s a sport that pushes your endurance but rewards you with some of the best water-level views in the city. Perfect for anyone who loves teamwork and being out on open water. 🚣♀️🌇💖