Have You Got What it Takes? Registration Opens for New World Harbour Swimming Race in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's New World Harbour Race will this year be held on Sunday, 16 October 2016.

Given the event’s overwhelming positive reception in previous years, the enrollment quota for participants has been increased to 3,000, including 500 in the Leisure Group, to encourage more swimmers to take part. The organiser has also raised the quota of Charity Category to 12 teams.

Ronnie Wong, President of the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA), said, “From 1,000 swimmers in 2011 rising to 3,000 participants this year, the New World Harbour Race has evolved into a major annual international open water swimming event here in Hong Kong.”

The New World Harbour Race has been recognised as an "M" Mark event by the Major Sports Events Committee for the 5th consecutive year since 2012, and the organiser has been committed to enhancing race arrangements and complementary measures to increase the competition level and to provide swimmers with a more enjoyable experience.

For example, this year, a new pontoon will be placed at the starting area to shorten the distance between the pier and starting point, as well as reduce waiting times in order to let swimmers compete at their best. Electronic ankle transponders have also been introduced, which swimmers must wear during the race. This will automatically record when competitors pass across the finish line sensor and complete the race, helping the organizers monitor swimmers’ participation and safety.

Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited, said, “We believe that the persistence and determination of the participating athletes, who have a strong desire to break through conventional limits, accurately reflects the spirit of The Artisanal Movement, the unique brand personality of our group. With the Rio Olympics coming up soon, New World Group encourages the public to take up swimming and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which is the aim of the New World Harbour Race. The Charity Category introduced last year will also be expanded. In doing so, New World Group and HKASA hope more people from different walks of life will contribute to charity, spreading the Group’s caring spirit to every corner of the community.”

New World Harbour Race 2016 will begin at 08:30 on Sunday, 16 October 2016, with an approximately 1,500m race course stretching from Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier in Lei Yue Mun, Kowloon to Quarry Bay Park Public Pier on Hong Kong Island.

The race comprises two groups, Racing and Leisure, which have respective quotas of 600 and 2,400 participants. The seven categories in the Racing Group are: the Youth category (aged from 12 to 16), the Open A category (aged 17 to 34), the Open B category (aged 35 to 49), the Open C category (aged 50 or above), the International category (aged 14 or above), the New World Harbour Race Invitation Cup and the School category.

The Leisure Group which does not comprise any rankings is open to all eligible swimmers aged 12 or above. A safety tow float will be provided for each swimmer in the Leisure Group.

To ensure optimum safety, all swimmers must be certified according to the HKASA’s entry requirements for the Race. A time trial will be compulsory for applicants without HKASA-accredited race records. The quota of the Racing Group will be determined by the swimmers’ time trial results. For the Leisure Group, the quota will be decided by a draw among eligible applicants. Details of the draw will be announced on New World Harbour Race official website.

The top three swimmers in each race category will receive awards offered by the title sponsor, New World Group. K11, a subsidiary of the New World Group, will continue to sponsor the K11 Harbour Race Young Swimmers Cup for the 12 to 16 age group to encourage the participation of young swimmers.

Online registration for New World Harbour Race 2016 opened today (8 June) and will remain open until Wednesday, 10 August. Three water trial sessions will be held at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, Tung Chung and Shing Mun Valley on 3, 4 and 10 September, respectively.

See other recent news regarding: New World, Harbour Race, Hong Kong