Hong Kong outrigger team makes historic trip to Singapore

Hong Kong is set to have a significant presence at the 2026 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Sprint Championships in Singapore, which run from 17 to 30 August. The city is fielding a 43-strong team – the largest delegation it has ever sent to an Outrigger Canoe world event, more than doubling previous efforts.

This substantial presence reflects the maturation of Hong Kong’s outrigger canoeing scene, organisers say. Once a niche pursuit involving only a few weekend paddlers, the sport has developed a robust competitive community, with crews training regularly in the dark before work on the city’s harbour and open waters. 

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Clubs based across Lamma, Lantau and Hong Kong Island have provided the foundation for this surge, with local paddlers having already proven their mettle in gruelling international outrigger races, such as Hawaii’s 66km Molokaʻi Hoe channel crossing, often through self-funded means.

Outrigger racing in Hong Kong reaches milestone

The Hong Kong China Outrigger Racing Association (HKCORA) notes that the Singapore campaign represents a milestone for the sport. It demonstrates that a discipline reliant on volunteer coaches and personal commitment can now compete alongside the world’s elite.

The championships will feature over 3,100 participants from 29 countries, competing in more than 600 races. Hong Kong’s athletes will be represented across a vast array of divisions, ranging from men’s and women’s elite crews to masters categories for those aged over 50 and 60, covering everything from solo races to 12-person crews. 

In addition to the individually qualified outrigger paddlers, club crews from the Victoria Recreation Club (VRC) and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) are also entering the competition, further broadening the city’s presence at this year’s event.